Short Cut To Hell (1957)

A cold blooded hitman (Robert Ivers) is hired to commit two murders, only to be double crossed by his employer (Jacques Aubuchon). On the lam and seeking revenge, he kidnaps a nightclub singer (Georgann Johnson), the girlfriend of the police detective (William Bishop) in charge of his pursuit. Based on the novel A GUN FOR SALE by Graham Greene (THE THIRD MAN) and directed by actor James Cagney. Greene's novel had previously been filmed in 1941 under the title THIS GUN FOR HIRE. This adaptation of the Greene novel is very good and Cagney's direction is tight and taut. Alas, like Charles Laughton and NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, Cagney never directed another movie. The 1941 version had one advantage over this film. Robert Ivers and Georgann Johnson are good actors and their performances more than decent. But they lack a strong screen presence and the 1941 film had Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake in their roles. Their acting talents aside, Ladd and Lake weren't movie stars for nothing and their charisma was an enormous asset to the film. Film noir fans should be pleased with this one though. With Yvette Vickers and Murvyn Vye.