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:
Noir Nook: A Shadowy Baker?s Dozen ? 13 Things You May Not Know About The Killers (1946)
By Karen Burroughs Hannsberry on May 16, 2025 From Classic Movie Hub Blog13 Things You May Not Know About The Killers (1946) Ask any noir fan for a list of their favorite films from the classic era, and The Killers (1946) is likely to appear. It?s a stellar example of this shadowy period of filmmaking, featuring such noir tropes as the femme fatale, the hapless fallen... Read full article
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
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Quotes from
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.
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: How well did you know the Swede?
Charleston: Me? Mister, I guess me and the Swede were about as close as two guys can get. For nearly two years we weren't more than eight and a half feet apart. That's how big the cell was.
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Facts about
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.
This was Burt Lancaster's first important movie role. He was the third choice for the part of The Swede, and was signed only after actors Wayne Morris and Sonny Tufts proved unavailable. Lancaster was an ex-circus acrobat from Union City, New Jersey. When producer Mark Hellinger saw the first rushes of Lancaster's performance in a private screening room, he was so pleased that he yelled "So help me, may all my actors be acrobats!"
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