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).

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The Killers was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2008.

Academy Awards 1946 --- Ceremony Number 19 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best DirectorRobert SiodmakNominated
Best Film EditingArthur HiltonNominated
Best Music - ScoringMiklos RozsaNominated
Best WritingAnthony VeillerNominated
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BlogHub Articles:

The Killers (1964) and Tenebrae

By Rick29 on Sep 4, 2023 From Classic Film & TV Cafe

Clu 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 GlamAmor

On 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 Man

Burt 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

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!


Al: You got anything to drink?
George: I can give you soda, beer, ginger ale...
Al: I said, 'You got anything to drink?'
George: [intimidated] No.
Al: This is a hot town. Whatta ya call it?
George: Brentwood.
Al: Did you ever hear of Brentwood?
Max: [Max shakes his head, no]
Al: Whatta ya do here nights?
Max: [sarcastically] They eat the dinner. They all come here and eat the big dinner.
George: [showing fear] That's right.
Al: [condescendingly] You're a pretty bright boy, aren't you?
George: [intimidated] Sure.
Max: [contemptiously] Well you're NOT!
Max: [to Al] Is he Al?
Al: He's dumb!


Jim Reardon: She took a powder. The dough went with her.


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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".
Producer Mark Hellinger purchased the rights to Ernest Hemingway's short story for $36,700, although publicity releases announced the figure at $50,000. (Source: "The Mark Hellinger Story" by Jim Bishop)
"The Hedda Hopper Show - This Is Hollywood" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on April 19, 1947 with Edmond O'Brien and Burt Lancaster reprising their film roles.
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Best Director Oscar 1946






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National Film Registry

The Killers

Released 1946
Inducted 2008
(Sound)




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Also directed by Robert Siodmak




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