Guns, Girls and Gangsters
| Guns, Girls and Gangsters | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Edward L. Cahn |
| Written by | Paul Gangelin Jerry Sackheim Robert E. Kent |
| Produced by | Robert E. Kent Edward Small (executive) |
| Starring | Mamie Van Doren Gerald Mohr Lee Van Cleef Grant Richards |
| Cinematography | Kenneth Peach |
| Edited by | Fred R. Feitshans Jr. |
| Music by | Buddy Bregman |
Production companies | Edward Small Productions Spinel Entertainment |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date |
|
Running time | 70 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Guns, Girls and Gangsters is a 1959 American film noir crime film directed by Edward L. Cahn and starring Mamie Van Doren, Gerald Mohr, Lee Van Cleef, and Grant Richards.[1] It was written by Paul Gangelin, Jerry Sackheim and Robert E. Kent.
Plot
Chuck Wheeler is released from prison and plans an elaborate heist of an armored truck carrying money from a Las Vegas casino. Chuck enlists the help of nightclub owner Joe Darren as well as Vi Victor, a sensational blonde married to Chuck's ex-cellmate Mike Bennett. Mike is a very jealous and dangerous man who will not grant Vi a divorce. He escapes from prison just before the armored truck robbery is to occur and causes havoc when he locates Chuck, Joe, and his unfaithful wife.
Cast
- Mamie Van Doren as Vi Victor
- Gerald Mohr as Chuck Wheeler
- Lee Van Cleef as Mike Bennett
- Grant Richards as Joe Darren
- Elaine Edwards as Ann Thomas
- John Baer as Steve Thomas
- Paul Fix as Lou Largo
Production
Robert E. Kent produced the film for Edward Small.[2] Filming commenced in April 1958.[3]
Reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The title accurately suggests the moronic tough-guy dialogue, the hard-boiled, hard-faced hoodlums with their slick violence, and the cheap and nasty after-taste left by the whole film."[4]
The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "Kent's screenplay, from a well worked out story by Paul Gangelin and Jerome Sackheim, is taut with suspense and has smoother construction than is found in most low-budget pictures. There are enough plot twists to keep the spectator guessing and some good flashes of characterization."[5]
Variety wrote: "Film unfolds in a semi-documentary vein that, had it been carried to its fullest, could have resulted in greater quality ... Direction by Edward L. Cahn fails to bring a professional performance from Miss Van Doren, and Mohr seems entirely too smooth."[6]
See also
References
- ^ "Guns, Girls and Gangsters". American Film Institute Catalog. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
- ^ Scheuer, Philip K. (November 21, 1957). "'Kristin' Seen as Challenge: Kaufman Phones Terry Moore; 'Diamonds' Polished for Laage". Los Angeles Times. p. C11.
- ^ Hopper, Hedda (April 26, 1958). "Chance of a Lifetime: Ricky to Be Gunman in 'Rio Bravo'". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 17.
- ^ "Guns, Girls and Gangsters". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 25 (288): 155. January 1, 1958. ProQuest 1305825036.
- ^ "Guns, Girls and Gangsters". The Hollywood Reporter. 153 (7): 3. December 30, 1958. ProQuest 2338293358.
- ^ "Guns, Girls and Gangsters". Variety. 213 (5): 6. December 31, 1958. ProQuest 962769415.
Bibliography
Barry Lowe; Mamie Van Doren (2008). Atomic Blonde: The Films of Mamie Van Doren. McFarland. pp. 135–139. ISBN 978-0-7864-3138-0. (credits, film synopsis).
External links
- Guns, Girls, and Gangsters at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Guns, Girls and Gangsters at IMDb
- Guns, Girls and Gangsters at the TCM Movie Database (archived version)