This Gun for Hire

Frank Tuttle (director)
Albert Maltz (screenwriter)
Scotty Welbourne (photographer)
Graham Greene (novel)
Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake (starring)

N.p. N.p., Circa 1942. Vintage satin-finish publicity photograph of actress Veronica Lake, posed next to a bear skin rug, for the 1942 film noir.

From the archive of film historian and author Joel Finler.

The first of several films in the noir cycle to be adapted from novels by Graham Greene. The film was stuck in development purgatory for 6 years, and thankfully was not made until Paramount had the benefit of the influx of German craftsman from the great exodus under Hitler's campaign—the visual underpinnings of a new style. David Spicer (2010) notes that .".in his determination to cut costs, [former UFA art director Hans] Drier encouraged director Frank Tuttle and cameraman John Seitz to use mirrors, odd angles, low-key lighting and fog-bound exteriors to obscure the limited number of sets available. Seitz's [resulting] expressionist photography helps to create the sense of schizophrenia and entrapment in the psychologically damaged Raven (Ladd)."

Set in San Francisco.

8 x 10 inches. Very Good plus, with light toning overall.

Grant US. Penzler 101. Selby US Canon. Silver and Ward Classic Noir. Spicer US.


[Book #156032]