THIS GUN FOR HIRE (1942) is top notch film noir

Starring Veronica Lake, Robert Preston, Laird, Cregar and Alan Ladd. Directed by Frank Tuttle. Running time: 80 minutes. Release date: May 13, 1942

Excellent film noir classic about a hitman named Raven (Ladd's break-through film) who after taking out a blackmailer and his girlfriend in San Francisco, realizes he has been set up by his anonymous employer. Now on the run from the police, Raven wants to find out why he was duped and score a little payback. The middle man named Gates (terrific performance by Cregar) who works for the anonymous employer informs police that Raven stole money from the company Gates works, Nitro Chemical. Detective Crane (a young Robert Preston, miles away from Professor Harold Hill of The Music Man) is assigned the case.

Crane's girlfriend, nightclub singer/magician Ellen (a sultry Veronica Lake) winds up meeting Raven on board a train headed to Los Angeles by accident. Raven ends up taking Ellen hostage. He finds out that Ellen also knows Gates, as Gates owns the nightclub where she works. So now Raven starts to play detective to find out what's going on.

With the police in hot pursuit, the pair are trapped at the train yards where Raven shares his hard upbringing that led him to his life as a hitman. She begins to sympathize with him. And as a final gesture, takes his coat and hat to pretend to be him to confuse the police while Raven escapes. He heads to Nitro Chemical to take down the man who set him up.

Man, this is one awesome movie. A perfectly tuned film noir film that just grabs you from the opening credits and doesn't let go. Alan Ladd is terrific as Raven, who is more than just your average gun for hire. His back story explains quite a bit about the life he has led. This is a true star making performance. His first pairing with Lake is really good as their had wonderful chemistry. Lake plies her usual trademark sultry good looks and smoky voice to good effect. And in the quieter moments with Ladd, is quite a revelation. Preston is all gung ho as the detective and Cregar makes a good slimy, sniveling middleman who says he is just following orders. No hard feelings Mr. Raven. Right?..Heck no. You're going down too big man.

This Gun For Hire is excellent entertainment.

The Glass Key(1942).

The Glass Key(1942). Cast: Brian Donlevy, Veronica Lake and Alan Ladd.

Only out for himself.. Paul Madvig, plans to support candidate Ralph Henry for governor after falling in love with his daughter, Janet. Madvig's friend, Ed Beaumont, believes that he is making a big mistake and does not trust Janet, because she is in love with Beaumont. Madvig says that Henry, has given him the key to his house... Beaumont, warns him that it might be a glass key, that may break at any time.

Soon after, Madvig tells gangster Nick Varna, that he is cleaning up the city and that he, will no longer have protection from the police..

Henry's son, Taylor, owes Varna a lot of money, for his gambling debts and when Madvig finds out, Opal worries what he will do to her boyfriend.

Later, Beaumont finds Taylor's body and all evidence points to Madvig. When Varna hears that Beaumont and Madvig have gone their separate ways, he tries to recruit Beaumont. Beaumont turns him down, so Varna has him beaten to try to change his mind.

When Beaumont recovers, he learns that Varna has found a "witness" to Taylor Henry's murder. Madvig has Sloss brought to his office, but Sloss is gunned down before he gets there.

Beaumont finds Jeff and tries to get information from him. Just as Jeff starts to talk, Varna shows up and orders him to shut up. When Beaumont disarms Varna, Jeff strangles his boss. Beaumont, has the waiter call the police. Will Beaumont, be able to prove who killed Taylor?

In this classic film noir, you will be amazed at some of the physical stunts. Especially, when Ladd escapes out of a broken window has him falling off an awning and crashing through the ceiling where a family is having dinner.

Bonita Granville (February 2, 1923 – October 11, 1988). Made her film debut at the age of nine in, Westward Passage (1933). Over the next couple of years she played uncredited supporting roles in films: as Little Women (1933) and Anne of Green Gables (1934) before playing the role of Mary in the film, The Children's Hour. For her role, Granville was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

In 1938, she starred as the mischievous daughter in the multi-Academy Awards nominated comedy film, Merrily We Live and as girl detective Nancy Drew in the film Nancy Drew, Detective. The Nancy Drew film success led to Granville reprising the role in three sequels from 1938 to 1939, including Nancy Drew... Reporter (1939).

As a young adult, she was once again cast in supporting roles in the films: Now, Voyager (1942), Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble (1944) and Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946). She is also remembered for her starring role in the World War II film, Hitler's Children (1943). Her career began to fade by the mid-1940s.

In 1947, Granville married Jack Wrather, who had produced some of her films. He formed the Wrather Corporation, and bought the rights to characters from both, The Lone Ranger and Lassie. Granville, worked as a producer for several film and television productions featuring these characters, including the 1954 TV series Lassie. She performed in the film version of, The Lone Ranger(1956) and made her final screen performance in a cameo role in, The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981).

In 1949, she performed with Rod Cameron in the comedy film, Strike It Rich.

She was honored at the Disneyland Hotel, which Jack Wrather owned until it was sold to the Walt Disney Company. The Bonita Tower and Granville's Steak House were named in her honor.