Short Cut to Hell (1957)
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As a favor to an old friend, producer Alex Gordon, James Cagney turned director for the first and only time in his career with Short Cut to Hell. The film is a remake of the 1942 Veronica Lake-Alan Ladd starrer This Gun For Hire. Robert Ivers plays Kyle, a hired killer who is double-crossed by his employer Bahrwell (Jacques Aubuchon). Seeking revenge, Kyle is reluctantly teamed with Glory Hamilton (Georgann Johnson), who has been targeted for elimination by Bahrwell and his henchman Nichols (Murvyn Vye). Unfortunately, Glory is the girlfriend of detective Stan (William Bishop), forcing Kyle to go on the lam before he can settle accounts with the film's principal villain. Kyle is finally able to get even with Bahrwell, and in the process reveals his long-dormant "good" side. Though the film itself is nothing special, Cagney's direction is sharp and efficient; it's too bad that Short Cut to Hell was his only effort behind the cameras. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Complete Cast:
- Robert Ivers - Kyle
- William Bishop - Stan
- Peter Baldwin - Adams
- Murvyn Vye - Nichols
- Roscoe Ates - Ext. Road Driver
- Jacqueline Beer - Waitress
- Hugh Lawrence - Patrolman
- William Pullen - Used-Car-Lot Manager
- Russell Trent - Trainman
- Michael Ross - Inspector Ross
- Danny Lewis - Piano Player
- Richard Hale - A.T.
- Joe Forte - Ticket Seller
- Georgann Johnson - Glory Hamilton
- Jacques Aubuchon - Bahrwell
- Yvette Vickers - Daisy
- Milton Frome - Los Angeles Police Captain
- Joe Bassett - Patrolman
- John Halloran - Guard
- Dennis McMullen - Los Angeles Policeman
- Sarah Selby - Adam's Secretary
- Douglas Spencer - Conductor
- William Newell - Hotel Manager
- Gail Land - Girl
- Douglas Evans - Mr. Henry
- Director(s):
- James Cagney
- Writer(s):
- Ted Berkman, Raphael Blau, W.R. Burnett
- Producer(s):
- A.C. Lyles
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