This Gun for Hire

Philip Raven is a merciless hit man who grows furious when his latest payday comes in counterfeit marks, signaling a betrayal by his employer. He vows to hunt down the man who shorted him, a nightclub executive named Gates. With revenge on his mind, Raven joins Gates on a train headed out of town, where Gates has brought along his attractive new employee Ellen. Ellen is betrothed to the detective who is closing in on Raven, but she decides to intervene, attempting to steer the hard bitten killer toward a different path. As Raven evades authorities and the tension thickens, loyalties become murky and danger clings to every compartment of the journey. The tension never loosens as the train rolls.

Directed by Frank Tuttle and released in 1942, this film noir draws on material credited to W. R. Burnett with contributions by Graham Greene and Albert Maltz, marking a sharp transition from studio pace to noir mood within the era.

The film grossed about $1,000,000 worldwide, reflecting steady interest for wartime thrillers. It more than doubled its modest budget and helped cement the rising fame of Veronica Lake and Alan Ladd, contributing to the studio's early noir slate for audiences.

Cultural Impact: This Gun for Hire helped codify film noir aesthetics with its streamlined storytelling, sharp dialogue, and a tense train set piece that showcased Veronica Lake's icy charisma and Ladd's restrained menace. The pairing became a touchstone for noir collaborations and influenced stylistic choices. Its momentum echoed in thrillers.

Reception & Themes: Critics of the era praised its spare yet lethal mood and the moral ambiguity that drives the plot. Beneath the chase lies themes of loyalty, manipulation, and the cost of crossing a ruthless employer. The film remains a compact example of early noir tension and remains influential.