They Made Me a Killer

A typical Hitchcock set-up: hero gets hijacked in a bank robbery, in the getaway the robbers kill a clerk, hero gets caught by the police and charged with the robbery, he runs away to eventually be rescued by a girl, who continuously saves the situation, combining her smartness with the hero's. Many scenes are shot in the dark when they constantly cut the fuses to make it difficult for the crooks, and you hear how hard they are fighting, but you cannot see a thing, until the fisticuffs are over with and the place is wrecked including some casualty. It is good for a B-thriller with appropriate music, but you wouldn't recommend it to anybody nor watch it again, no matter how much you missed on the way. But the trick with the juke-box heightens the quality of the plot and your interest, but still, you will be glad when it is all over.

The plot's pretty conventional, but with an unusual wrinkle . An innocent guy is trapped into helping bank robbers execute a robbery, and now the cops are chasing him. As the pursuit goes on, he joins the robbers in their hiding spot. Now the question is which way will he go. Will he join the crooks or work with a girl friend to clear himself.

Hard to believe veteran leading man Lowery could work up such energy for a programmer considering he'd done about a hundred of them. But he does. In fact it's his energy and the glowing freshness of Barbara Britton that carry the film. Then too, Lowery's character, Durling, is none too moral, meaning he's really tempted to join the bad guys once he's on the lam. And that amounts to a good, human touch from outstanding scripter Dan Mainwaring. It also helps that director Thomas keeps things moving, though the corner shoot-out and the hospital escape appear awkwardly done. Add to the mix a fine supporting cast, especially spider woman Lane and housemother Risdon. But please tell me, where did wardrobe get that fur-collared overcoat that's about to swallow Lane's head and then maybe the world!

Looks like this is one of those 40's B's that was reaching for noir while remaining within the crime story genre. Anyway, the minor touches manage to lift results to the slightly-better- than-average category.

(In passing—I'd long thought the name Byron Barr in cast lists referred to an early Gig Young, the former being his real name, the latter his stage name. However, in researching this film, I discover there was in fact a second actor named Byron Barr who kept his original name, and he's the one in this movie. Of course, Gig Young remains the much better known of the two.)

The term 'cut to the chase' is redundant in this fast paced crime thriller. Within seven minutes Robert Lowery has been railroaded into driving the getaway car from a bank robbery, having been suckered into believing that gang member Lola Lane wanted to buy the vehicle. A few shootings and some erratic motoring later, Lowery finds himself unconscious behind the wheel of the crashed automobile, gun in hand. The gang?....Nowhere to be seen.

Grim, granite faced, gruff voiced D. A., Paul Harvey has little time for Lowery,s plea of innocence and when witness Byron Barr (himself under suspicion) dies in hospital, Lowery's determination to resolve the matter alone reveals a ruthless streak. It's one thing to overturn a bed to foil pursuers, but one occupied by a man who passed away moments earlier? Can't a man die with SOME dignity? Seconds later, his boundless desperation results in an uncooperative nurse having a close encounter of the fist kind, before Lowery escapes.

Befriending Barr's sister (Barbara Britton), they have a common goal in tracking down the gang. Along the way, Will Wright adds to his encyclopedia of bit parts, as a blacksmith, whose lame brained attempt at apprehending Lowery, results in a headache he aint never gonna forget.

Ultimately, the movie flattens out, but remains engaging and lives up to its noir billing, with some scenes shot in such impenetrable darkness, it's almost impossible to discern what's taking place.

Crude and unpolished, to the point where even 1940's audiences must have found it a bit clunky, 'Killer' is hardly a hidden gem, but there is nonetheless something curiously appealing struggling to shine through the murk of this low budget quickie. It possesses an intangible period charm which entices you into returning for a further helping. File under 'Intriguing Obscurity.'

Lola Lane's final film appearance.

Tom Durling (Robert Lowery) is tricked into becoming the getaway driver for a bank robbery. His car crashes and he is left unconscious while the gang flees. He is arrested but escapes and teams up with June (Barbara Britton) in order to prove his innocence and track down the gang responsible....

This film has 'B' movie written all over it. It takes you on a journey. It does it quickly and effectively with no dwelling on circumstance. It's one scene after another. The result is that you watch and then the film finishes. There is no feeling of any sort whatsoever once the film has finished. It's fast paced with a hilarious moment at the beginning of the film when Tom makes his escape from the hospital. Just watch how he treats poor Steve (Byron Barr) who is at death's door in a hospital bed. He has just tried to prove to the police that he has a good relationship with this man. It's priceless! The film isn't great quality and it's hard to see on occasion because of the lighting. It passes the time but nothing more.

Traveling from Chicago to California, Tom Durling (Robert Lowery) finds himself framed for robbery and murder when he is duped into driving the getaway car for a bank heist. After an auto crash leaves Durling holding the bag with the legal authorities, he quickly escapes after being arrested and sets out to prove his innocence with the help of the slain bank teller's sister (Barbara Britton).

They Made Me a Killer was another of the low budget film fare from Pine-Thomas Productions which at the time was the B movie arm of Paramount Pictures. Pine-Thomas was known for making movies fast, cheap and profitable. At a compact 64 minute run-time, there isn't much in the way of character development. It's more a quick-fire series of events. Given it's slapdash nature you have to suspend some degree of belief and just enjoy the ride. Even though succinct, the script is really pretty clever and lively. 'Killer' doesn't quite have the same level of mood and ambiance as a movie like 'Detour', a movie of similar style and budget. This is largely due to the rapid pace. There really aren't any wasted or meandering scenes as Durling with single purpose tracks down those who set him up.

The cast plays it all pretty well and Lowery does a nice job as the framed-up scapegoat. While not likely to find it's way to many must see lists, 'They Made Me a Killer' is one of the better of the old cheapie crime flicks.

6 out of 10*