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Machine-Gun Kelly (1958)

Unrated | | Action , Biography , Crime | May 1958 (USA)
Machine-Gun Kelly Poster
The criminal exploits of Public Enemy number 1, George 'Machine-Gun' Kelly, during the 1930s.

Director:

Roger Corman

Writer:

R. Wright Campbell (screenplay)

Stars:

Charles Bronson, Susan Cabot, Morey Amsterdam | See full cast & crew »
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Photos

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Cast

Cast overview:
Charles Bronson ... George R. 'Machine Gun' Kelly
Susan Cabot ... Florence 'Flo' Becker
Morey Amsterdam ... Michael Fandango
Richard Devon ... Apple
Jack Lambert ... Howard
Frank DeKova ... Harry (as Frank De Kova)
Connie Gilchrist ... 'Ma' Becker
Wally Campo Wally Campo ... Maize
Barboura Morris Barboura Morris ... Lynn Grayson
Lori Martin ... Sherryl Vito (as Dawn Menzer)
George Archambeault George Archambeault ... Frank
Robert Griffin ... Mr. Andrew Vito
Michael Fox ... Detective Clinton
Larry Thor Larry Thor ... Detective Drummond
Shirley Falls Shirley Falls ... Martha
See full cast »
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Storyline

Machine-Gun Kelly, the famous bank robber, seldom without his Thompson machine gun. The story opens with great jazzy music and a murder shown in shadows. His moll is the driving force behind his exploits. He has an exaggerated fear of death and death symbols. The sight of a coffin makes him freeze during a bank job, causing his lieutenant to lose his arm. Finally, the gang kidnaps a little girl along with her nurse and hold them for ransom. Written by alfiehitchie

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

chicago illinois | depression | gangster | based on true story | machine gun | See All (31) »

Taglines:

Without His Gun He Was Naked Yellow!

Genres:

Action | Biography | Crime | Film-Noir

Certificate:

Unrated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1958 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Machine Gun Kelly See more »

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, California, USA See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

$100,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

El Monte Productions See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Charles Bronson was 36 when he appeared in this movie. See more »

Goofs

While loosely--VERY loosely--based on the real "Machine Gun Kelly" (real name George Kelly), there are many incidents in this film that simply never happened. For one thing, the only time Kelly ever fired his machine gun was on on a firing range, and he certainly never killed or even shot at anyone, contrary to what is shown in this film. Also, the Kelly gang didn't kidnap a millionaire's little girl, as shown in this film; they kidnapped the millionaire himself, a wealthy brewer named Charles Urschel, and this is what eventually led to Kelly's capture and imprisonment. Also, he wasn't captured in a shootout with lawmen, as shown here; police and FBI agents in Memphis, TN, surprised him in the stairwell of a boarding house and he fell to his knees and screamed "Don't shoot, G-men!", thereby coining the name that FBI agents have been known by since then--an incident that is completely left out of this film. See more »

Crazy Credits

Opening credits: THE TITLE CHARACTER UPON WHICH THIS STORY IS BASED IS TRUE. The other characters, all events and firms, depicted are fictional. Any similarity to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Life in the Fast Lane: Roger Corman on Jack Hill and the Genesis of 'Pit Stop' (2014) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Corman takes the gangster genre beyond film noir, finally
16 December 2002 | by funkyfry – See all my reviews

A unique crime story -- a small-time thief (Bronson) is turned into a legend by his tough-as-nails moll (Cabot). "Machine Gun" robs a chain of banks and finally turns his ambitions to kidnapping -- hounded all the way by a compulsive fear of death. The photography by Crosby is elegant, the acting of the lead pair and the supporting cast are all pretty much dead-on. A tight, efficient telling of a memorable tale, peopled with all sorts of interesting characters (the gas station owner/accomplice who keeps a deadly menagerie behind the garage, Cabot's mom who keeps telling Kelly what a disappointment he is because he hasn't broken into the "big time", etc.).

Interestingly, this film takes the gangster genre beyond film noir (finally, after 3 decades) by making his characters not only self-loathing but WORTHY of self-loathing!

One of Corman's very best films as a director.
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