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IMDbPro

The Killers

  • 19461946
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
22K
YOUR RATING
Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Albert Dekker, Sam Levene, and Edmond O'Brien in The Killers (1946)
Hit men kill an unresisting victim, and investigator Reardon uncovers his past involvement with beautiful, deadly Kitty Collins.
Play trailer1:53
1 Video
99+ Photos
CrimeDramaFilm-Noir
Hit men kill an unresisting victim, and investigator Reardon uncovers his past involvement with beautiful, deadly Kitty Collins.Hit men kill an unresisting victim, and investigator Reardon uncovers his past involvement with beautiful, deadly Kitty Collins.Hit men kill an unresisting victim, and investigator Reardon uncovers his past involvement with beautiful, deadly Kitty Collins.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
22K
YOUR RATING
    • Robert Siodmak
  • Writers
    • Anthony Veiller(screenplay)
    • Ernest Hemingway(from the story by)
    • John Huston(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Burt Lancaster
    • Ava Gardner
    • Edmond O'Brien
    • Robert Siodmak
  • Writers
    • Anthony Veiller(screenplay)
    • Ernest Hemingway(from the story by)
    • John Huston(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Burt Lancaster
    • Ava Gardner
    • Edmond O'Brien
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 146User reviews
    • 110Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:53
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos100

    "The Killers" Ava Gardner 1946 Universal Pictures
    Burt Lancaster publicity shot from "The Killers"
    Ava Gardner Film Set Killers, The (1946) 0038669
    Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Albert Dekker, and Sam Levene in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Albert Dekker, Sam Levene, and Edmond O'Brien in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Albert Dekker, and Sam Levene in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, and Albert Dekker in The Killers (1946)
    Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, and Albert Dekker in The Killers (1946)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Burt Lancaster
    Burt Lancaster
    • Ole 'Swede' Anderson
    Ava Gardner
    Ava Gardner
    • Kitty Collins
    Edmond O'Brien
    Edmond O'Brien
    • Jim Reardon
    Albert Dekker
    Albert Dekker
    • Big Jim Colfax
    Sam Levene
    Sam Levene
    • Police Lt. Sam Lubinsky
    Vince Barnett
    Vince Barnett
    • Charleston
    Virginia Christine
    Virginia Christine
    • Lilly Harmon Lubinsky
    Jack Lambert
    Jack Lambert
    • 'Dum-Dum' Clarke
    Charles D. Brown
    • Packy Robinson - Ole's Manager
    Donald MacBride
    Donald MacBride
    • R.S. Kenyon
    Charles McGraw
    Charles McGraw
    • Al
    William Conrad
    William Conrad
    • Max
    Ernie Adams
    Ernie Adams
    • Hood with Cane
    • (uncredited)
    Audley Anderson
    • Assistant Paymaster
    • (uncredited)
    George Anderson
    • Jail Ward Doctor
    • (uncredited)
    Sam Ash
    Sam Ash
      Frank Baker
      Frank Baker
      • Fight Spectator
      • (uncredited)
      Brooks Benedict
      Brooks Benedict
      • Party Guest
      • (uncredited)
        • Robert Siodmak
      • Writers
        • Anthony Veiller(screenplay)
        • Ernest Hemingway(from the story by)
        • John Huston(uncredited)
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Film debut of Burt Lancaster. Although this was his first film--at 33 years of age--he received top billing.
      • Goofs
        In the jailhouse, Charleston (Vince Barnett) tells The Swede (Burt Lancaster) of his love for the stars. As he looks out the window, he says that he says he sees Orion and a prominent star, Betelgeuse. He says that Orion is the "Great Bear" and that Betelgeuse is the "brightest star in the sky." Orion is actually The Hunter. Ursa Major (containing the Big Dipper) is the Great Bear. Betelgeuse, while quite bright, is actually the 10th brightest star.
      • Quotes

        [last lines]

        [after Reardon has wrapped up the investigation, Kenyon congratulates him]

        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.

      • Connections
        Edited into Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)
      • Soundtracks
        The More I Know of Love
        (1946)

        Music by Miklós Rózsa

        Lyrics Jack Brooks

        Performed by Ava Gardner (uncredited)

      User reviews146

      Review
      Review
      Featured review
      9/10
      Expanding A Hemingway Classic
      The Killers is an expansion of a short story by Ernest Hemingway. The first ten minutes of this film is pure Hemingway with two contract gunman occupying and terrorizing a greasy spoon diner. Two of the most malevolent character actors around, Charles McGraw and William Conrad are the hit men.

      They're there to kill Burt Lancaster, known to the town as just a simple garage mechanic. Because he left a small insurance policy, his death was investigated by insurance cop Edmond O'Brien. Naturally Lancaster was no simple garage mechanic by any means. O'Brien comes up with Burt's real identity and the reason why a few people wanted him dead.

      The Killers was a big break film for Burt Lancaster. He had only done one previous film and that was Desert Fury for Paramount studios which had signed him. Because Universal was looking for an unknown to play the victim, Lancaster's agent was able to land him the part. And because Desert Fury was held up, The Killers became his debut film and he was a star from his first film.

      This was also a milestone film for Ava Gardner as well. After The Killers, Louis B. Mayer was most reluctant to lend her out any longer due to the notice that she got.

      The plot of The Killers is very similar to that of Out of the Past with Lancaster in the luckless Robert Mitchum role. As for Ava Gardner in her portrayal, she's taking a couple of pages from the Mary Astor school of double crossing, two timing dames. At least Mary had Sam Spade's promise he'd wait for her.

      The Killers is a must for Burt Lancaster fans who want to see the film that launched his career.
      helpful•43
      8
      • bkoganbing
      • Apr 15, 2007

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • August 30, 1946 (United States)
        • United States
        • English
      • Also known as
        • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
      • Production company
        • Mark Hellinger Productions
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Box office

      Edit
      See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • 1 hour 43 minutes
        • Black and White

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