The Killers (1946) | |
| Director(s) | Robert Siodmak |
| Producer(s) | Mark Hellinger |
| Top Genres | Crime, Drama, Film Adaptation, Film Noir, Mystery, Romance |
| Top Topics | Book-Based |
Featured Cast:
The Killers Overview:
The Killers (1946) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by Robert Siodmak and produced by Mark Hellinger.
SYNOPSIS
An insurance investigator (O'Brien) digs up crime, betrayal, and a glamorous woman (Gardner in best femme fatale mode) behind an ex-fighter's (and current gas stations attendant's) death. Classic noir from Siodmak, a master of the genre, scripted by Veiller with an uncredited assist from Huston, based on a story by Ernest Hemingway. Lancaster made a sizzling film debut in the role of Swede, the murdered boxer. Rozsa's main theme was later borrowed for the opening sequence of TV's Dragnet.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.The Killers was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2008.
Academy Awards 1946 --- Ceremony Number 19 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Director | Robert Siodmak | Nominated |
| Best Film Editing | Arthur Hilton | Nominated |
| Best Music - Scoring | Miklos Rozsa | Nominated |
| Best Writing | Anthony Veiller | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
The Killers (1964) and Tenebrae
By Rick29 on Sep 4, 2023 From Classic Film & TV CafeClu Gulager and Lee Marvin.The Killers (1964). Don Siegel's adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's 1946 short story "The Killers" is sadly overshadowed by the 1946 film version that made stars of Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner. Siegel's The Killers is a lean, fast-paced drama that borrows elements from th... Read full article
You're Invited! FILM NOIR STYLE Continues with "Year of Transition 1946" and THE KILLERS
on Jul 8, 2023 From GlamAmorOn Saturday, July 29, my 4-part Film Noir Style series continues at the Aero Theatre with The Year of Transition 1946. After my presentation, we will screen The Killers (1946) starring the sensual Ava Gardner and featuring costumes by Vera West. Saturday, July 29The Year of Transition 1946 and The K... Read full article
Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner in director Robert Siodmak's "The Killers"
By Stephen Reginald on Aug 16, 2022 From Classic Movie ManBurt Lancaster and Ava Gardner in director Robert Siodmak's "The Killers" The Killers (1946) is an American film noir directed by Robert Siodmak and starring Burt Lancaster in his movie debut and Ava Gardner. The film co-stars Edmond O'Brien, Sam Levine, and Charles McGraw. The film is based on... Read full article
Film Noir Review: The Killers (1964)
By Danilo Castro on Jun 25, 2021 From Classic Movie Hub Blog“If I knew you were coming, I would’ve set fire to the place.” Remakes are a difficult undertaking, especially in the world of film noir. There have been countless instances of remakes coasting on the iconography of its predecessor, without carrying over the emotion and angst th... Read full article
reblog: Don Siegel’s The Killers
By John Grant on Sep 10, 2019 From Noirish***A tremendous account by J.D. Lafrance of Don Siegel?s classic hardboiled movie. Wonders in the Dark By J.D. Lafrance The first feature-length adaptation of Ernest Hemingway?s short story, ?The Killers? was directed by Robert Siodmak in 1946 and featured a young Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner... Read full article
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Quotes from
[after Reardon has wrapped up the investigation, Kenyon congratulates him]
R.S. Kenyon: Owing to your splendid efforts the basic rate of The Atlantic Casualty Company - as of 1947 - will probably drop one-tenth of a cent.
[he shakes Reardon's hand]
R.S. Kenyon: Congratulations, Mr. Reardon.
Jim Reardon: I'd rather have a night's sleep.
R.S. Kenyon: Why don't you take a good rest. I must say you've earned it.
[Reardon starts to leave]
R.S. Kenyon: This is Friday... don't come in 'til Monday.
Jim Reardon: Thanks.
Jail ward doctor: [speaking about the fatally wounded Blinky] Beats me. I don't know what keeps him going.
Jim Reardon: Will he be able to talk anymore?
Jail ward doctor: He's dead now - except he's breathing!
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Facts about
Author of the original short story Ernest Hemingway liked the film. Prior to its release, producer Mark Hellinger sent publicity man Al Horwits to Sun Valley, Idaho, to give Hemingway a private screening. Hemingway had a pint of gin in one pocket of his overcoat and a pint of water in the other so that he could sip from them if the film got bad. After the screening, Hemingway held up the full bottles, grinned and said "Didn't need 'em".
In-joke: In the scene towards the end of the film where Edmond O'Brien arranges to meet Ava Gardner outside a nightclub, O'Brien stands on the street in front of the club, waiting for Gardner to drive up. On the wall behind him is a poster, beginning with "Sir Arthur Hilton presents..." Arthur Hilton, an Englishman, was the film's editor.
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