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Gun Crazy (1949)

Director: Joseph H Lewis

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From Time Out London

While 1940s cinema was packed with devious dames, few can match Peggy Cummins’s hellcat sharpshooter Laurie Starr for sheer manipulative allure. Meeting Laurie at a small-town carny, clean-cut gun nut Bart (a perplexed John Dall) is transfixed by her charms and prowess with a pistol. The two cut a swathe through the Southern states, holding up banks and evading a tightening police dragnet.

‘Gun Crazy’ is a magnificently enjoyable film, distinguished by Joseph H Lewis’s restless, catch-all directorial style; visually, the film ranges from classic gritty noir to hyperstylised modern gothic, to a startling single-take hold-up sequence shot on crowded streets. The filmmakers never miss a chance for a sly Freudian aside: from Bart’s little problem with guns (he can point, but he can’t shoot) to Laurie’s zealous lust for control, ‘Gun Crazy’ is awash with hysterical symbolism. A genuine treat.

Author: Tom Huddleston

Time Out London Issue 2010, 26 Feb - 4 Mar, 2009

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User reviews of this film

E A Dobson said...

Posted on Jul 28 2009 15:20 A GENUINE TREAT INDEED! I caught the last showing of Gun Crazy at the Cubby Broccoli cinema in Bradford and although i rarely venture out for new films anymore,i must say this classic b-movie really blew me away(no pun intended).Many years ago it was shown late one night on BBC2 but having missed the start i hoped to catch it at a later date,so i was very glad to hear of a limited re-release,it`s just a shame the film may never recieve a region 2 dvd release.4 stars from Time Out,5 from me!

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