Laddie, the Peek-a-boo Girl and the Fickleness of Hollywood

I rewatched this film noir last night, and remembered why I liked it in the first place. This Gun for Hire has a simple plot that's both easy to follow and riveting. 

Raven (Alan Ladd) is a cold-blooded professional killer who's been double-crossed by his client. Ellen (Veronica Lake) is a beautiful nightclub singer who's spying on her corrupt boss. Lt. Michael Crane (Robert Preston) is a dedicated cop who wants Ellen's love and Raven's capture. The tension mounts and before the case is wrapped, someone will pay with his life.

The film's so short, I guess they had to made it simple. However, there is still something powerful about it. This was probably one of the few film noirs that showed a non-remorseful killer that came off as sympathetic to the audience. Raven continually threatens people with a gun to do what he wants, and kills them if they don't. And we still feel sorry for him! Maybe because he like cats?

Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake publicity photo for the film

This role made Alan Ladd a star and he played it very well. Most of the time he doesn't show emotion, but when he does, Wham! Veronica Lake typically plays her monotone self. She was the only character to show some sympathy towards Raven, ultimately, helping him escape from the cops when they are being held up in a train yard. 

This was the first of four pairings between Ladd and Lake. The funny story behind this is, Paramount had a difficult time casting actresses opposite the 5'6" Ladd. Lucky for them, Lake was just under 5ft. So the pairing stuck, however, Ladd didn't care for Lake much, but he also didn't make the same mistake Frederic March made.

Frederic March and Veronica Lake is a promotional still from I Married a Witch

March and Lake starred in I Married a Witch (the blueprints for Bewitched). And Lake was known as difficult to work with. On set, March referred to her as, "a brainless little blonde sexpot, void of any acting ability." She found out and retaliated by calling him a "Pompous poseur." It was war from then on since Veronica played practical jokes on him. Never get a Brooklyn girl angry...

One instance was hiding a forty pound weight in her dress, when the scene called for March to carry her. They had several takes of the scene, ouch. Another was a scene where March stands directly behind a chair. Lake was required, I guess to cling to him, and while she was she brought her foot up into his groin. March renamed the film, "I Married a Bitch," understandably. But it's still really funny to read about.

One of the best moments in This Gun for Hire is when Raven and Ellen are trapped a small hut by the train tracks. Raven tells Ellen about a dream he keeps having, believing if he tells someone he'll stop having it. As long as she doesn't laugh that is. Raven's parents died when he was very young and he was taken in by his aunt, who would severely beat him. When he was fourteen he picked up a knife and stabbed her in the neck, killing her. He was sent to reform school and also beat him there. Raven was not born the way he was, he was made that why by the people who were supposed to care about him. The emotion building in Ladd's face showed how this whole ordeal affected him. 

So while Ladd's career flourished for about 10 more years, Lake's career began floundering after 1942. Making way for the decade's leading "love goddess" and most photographed woman in the world, Rita Hayworth, another lady who's trademark was her hair. Put it this way, Rita was the Angelina Jolie of the 1940s, while Veronica Lake was the Rachel McAdams (who was an "It Girl" for two years then disappeared). 

Hollywood's a fickle creature and it will remain so. And we will continue obsessing over it in awe.

Do Gentlemen Prefer Blondes or Redheads?

Has anyone noticed the similarities between the musical numbers of "Put the Blame on Mame" and "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"? Another example of Hollywood's great recycling of sexual fantasies of the Golden Era.

In 1946, Rita Hayworth starred in Gilda as the titular role. She was proclaimed the "Love Goddess of America," and is the only movie star to ever hold that title. Gilda is one of the iconic femme fatales to grace the silver screen. And she's also become a feminist icon. The character of Gilda performs "Put the Blame on Mame" to make a point to her husband. She was going to remain who she is and that no one is going to change her.

In 1953, Marilyn Monroe starred in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes as Lorelei Lee. She became the "Blonde Bombshell," and the biggest sex symbol in the world. However, Lorelei Lee is no feminist. "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" is about gold diggers, and it expresses that all women were materialistic and shallow.

Now you may be thinking, they're so different how are they similar? Both songs are performed in nightclubs, and the performers wear strapless gowns with elbow length gloves. Also both women dance in a seductive manner, with Marilyn's giggly shimmying and Rita's steamy gyrations. Comparing both scenes, Rita Hayworth's rendition is extremely provocative and raw. She is the femme fatale; she has a status to uphold and she surpassed it, raising the bar for all.

Now in the dancing department, Rita is by far superior. After all, she was trained as a dancer. So, of course, she knew what her body was capable of. Another thing I liked during her performance was that she used her hair. (She was probably the only star in Hollywood whose hair was not shellacked). Marilyn's dancing looked forced and was very overt which, I think, took away from being a sexy performance.

Everyone has their own opinion as to which is the better performance. Both women are so beloved in Hollywood that most are afraid to compare the two. I happen to like Hayworth better, but that's my opinion, and I'm not saying I hate Marilyn, so don't jump down my throat. But both movies, both women are Hollywood icons. We must not forget them and we must enlighten people who do not know about them. We have to preserve the Golden Age of Hollywood, so America's movie industry does not keep continuing its downward spiral into commercialism and simplicity.