I am sure most of you have heard of the classic 1967 crime flick Bonnie and Clyde. Perhaps a film that is lesser known and is also based off of Great Depression bandits Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker (though the two characters have different names) is the legendary 1950 film noir Gun Crazy – which, when viewed, will clearly be seen as a precursor to the Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway offering.
We are introduced to our lead, Barton Tare (John Dall), by way of a flashback that holds several other flashbacks within. The (former) fourteen year old is seen on trial for larceny – as he has stolen a gun from a local shop. His sister Ruby (Anabel Shaw), who has raised the boy herself, attempts to defend him by explaining his love for firearms (the boy is already the sharpest shooter in the area) as well as his strong respect for not killing anyone or anything (as he was distraught after killing a baby chick in his yard several years earlier).
Barton is sent off to reform school to correct the wayward path that he is taking. Upon his return, he resembles a clean cut, proper young gentleman. After getting together with his old pals and shooting targets for a bit, he and the gang decide to head to the travelling carnival – entering a tent that features famed British sharpshooter Annie Laurie Starr (Peggy Cummins). As soon as they catch each others’ eyes, they are smitten – triggering the start of a sensually amorous love affair that leads the two down a dangerous path.
It does not take long for the couple to leave the fair and get married (even after Annie warns the man that she is bad news). The twosome live the high life. . . that is, until their funds run low. Soon, Annie convinces the well meaning individual to join her on a crime spree to finance their way.
It starts with lesser risk, two-bit jobs, but the dangerous obsession grows along with their unorthodox relationship – leading them to pull a precisely planned heist which will allow them to live large after they flee the country and head to Mexico. Though Barton knows what they are doing is wrong (and frets over how their crimes have escalated – with his more reckless partner firing shots and even possibly killing people during their last job) he cannot bear to extricate himself from his beloved femme. This is best summed up when he concludes: “we go together, Annie. I don’t know why. Maybe like guns and ammunition go together”. Will the reckless, gun crazy couple make it to the border and be able to settle into a life of ease, or will their careless criminal escapades cause them to come to a chaotic and tragic end?
Gun Crazy is an interesting B movie that is now looked upon as a true film noir classic. It has a wildly absurd story that was co-written by blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (who was recently played by Bryan Cranston in the Oscar nominated film Trumbo), who used the pseudonym Millard Kaufman to cover his involvement in the movie. Though limited by the era it was made in, it is quite clear that the thrill of the robbery as well as the thin veil that lies between safety and sudden violence excites the couple in a sexual manner.
The highly lauded one sheet poster for the 1950 film noir Gun Crazy
It also has oodles of style. You will see some excellent car chase scenes etched throughout the film. One of said instances involves a bank heist that was impressively done in one take. With no one outside of the principal actors aware that they were filming a movie, we watch Barton and Annie approach the establishment, with the gent stating: “I hope we find a parking space”. This added a humourous level to the scene, as there was really no guarantee that the spot would be available as they drove the route to the building. To further illustrate this bizarre scenario, we hear a bystander in the background yell out that the bank has been robbed – according to reports, the person actually believed he had just witnessed a real robbery. There is also a really cool heist at a meat packing plant. At times, the motion picture is also imbued with an almost documentary style approach – with newspaper headlines being used to help the viewer follow the couple’s risky ventures. One thing is clear, Bonnie and Clyde owes a great deal to this earlier classic.
Gun Crazy also has a stunning movie poster. The striking, dangerously sultry image of Peggy Cummins’ Annie toting two guns is more than legendary, making it a one sheet that often lands on experts’ top lists. Check it out – it is over on your right.
Gun Crazy is a fun and fantastical film noir. Though perhaps realistic in some ways, it is likely that most viewers have never had the urge to follow through on an extensive crime spree. It has solid performances, quality direction, striking cinematography and a fitting ending for the couple. You’ll go crazy for this take on the classic moll and pop operation.
Love the poster!!
Was this movie the basis for the Broadway musical “Annie get your gun”? I went to see that in the ’70s and loved it – but more for the music than the plot of course
Yes, the poster is great.
No, actually ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ first hit Broadway in 1946 – four years before this movie was released. Funnily enough, it got its own film, which was released in 1950 – the same year as ‘Gun Crazy’. There are quite a few similarities between the two stories, as they both revolve around a female sharpshooter who falls for a male with similar gun shooting skills, though, as you can imagine, the tone and delivery is very different. I actually decided on the title as it was a fitting description of the plot of ‘Gun Crazy’.