Gun Crazy

Gun Crazy, a classic 1950 thriller film noir directed by Joseph H. Lewis, tells the intense and gripping story of a tormented but skilled marksman named Bart Tare, played by John Dall, who finds his dangerous match in a seductive yet equally lethal sharpshooter, Annie Laurie Starr, brought to life by Peggy Cummins. This fast-paced and provocative movie elevates the usual criminal melodramas by combining fatal attraction, moral downfall, and the dreadful consequences of life on the run.

As the film commences, we are introduced to a young Bart Tare, who appears to be harmlessly fascinated with guns. However, his innocent obsession lands him in reform school when he breaks into a local hardware store to steal a gun. His childhood friends, Ruby and Dave, go on to become important figures in his later life, with Ruby, his sister, being a recurring symbol of family, and Dave, an honest cop who understands Bart's problematic fascination.

Fast forward to adulthood, Bart, after a short stint in the army, stumbles upon a traveling carnival where he crosses paths with the sultry and daring gun-toting femme fatale, Annie Laurie Starr, played brilliantly by Peggy Cummins. She’s the star attraction of the show, her bravado and gun skills a magnetic pull for the crowd - and also for Bart.

Their shared affinity for guns serves as a blistering metaphor for their immediate attraction and subsequent twisted romance. The anxious dynamic between Bart, the quiet and reserved sharpshooter with a haunted past, and Laurie, the fatal beauty with a reckless and almost sociopath streak is one of the most distinctive elements of Gun Crazy and ramp up the intensity throughout the film.

Their tumultuous relationship of love and violence turns progressively dangerous, and inevitably, as Bart becomes more entangled in Laurie's thrilling but morally bankrupt world, they start embarking on a crime rampage across the country. A game of cat and mouse with the authorities ensues, orchestrated by Laurie for whom love and violence prove to be interchangeable.

Berry Kroeger adds another layer of complexity and tension to the narrative as Packett, the sleazy owner of the carnival and a figure from Laurie's past. He is sketched as a shady, immoral character whose intrusive presence in Bart and Laurie's life acts as a stimulus for their descent into chaos.

Peggy Cummins delivers a magnetic performance as the nefarious Laurie, pulling off the character's transformation from femme fatale to cold-blooded criminal mastermind with aplomb. She commands the screen with her provocatively brazen allure, her insatiable thirst for power and control reflecting in her dangerous antics and attempts to manipulate Bart.

John Dall, on the other hand, draws a poignant portrayal of Bart, a man torn between his obsessive love for Laurie and his inherent moral compass. His internal conflict and ensuing downfall are depicted with sympathy and desperation as he becomes the tragic hero of the narrative.

Given the era of its production, Gun Crazy was unusually forthright in its audacious depiction of violence and subversion of conventional morality, which makes it a standout feature in the history of film noir. It also celebrates the prowess of its technical craftsmanship with high-energy action set-pieces, notably the superbly staged bank robbery sequence shot in one continuous take, adding a raw authenticity to the scenes of reckless lawlessness. Coupled with the use of real locations instead of studio sets, the film immerses the audience in a stark, relentless reality that draws them into its dark, disturbing world.

Gun Crazy is an edged, deeply psychological thriller that unflinchingly explores the tragic outcomes of a love steeped in obsession, violence, and flawed human choices. Its exploration of its central characters' moral decay, combined with its precautionary narration about the tragic repercussions of unchecked obsession, give the film a qualitatively superior, profound edge often absent in the usual crime thrillers.

With its bold performances, relentless pacing, and audacious display of raw, real-life violence, Gun Crazy remains a significant entry in the canon of film noir and an enduring, must-watch classic for fans of the genre.