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The Gun Runners

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The Gun Runners
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDon Siegel
(as Donald Siegel)
Screenplay byDaniel Mainwaring
Paul Monash
Based onTo Have and Have Not (novel) by Ernest Hemingway
Produced byHerbert E. Stewart
Clarence Greene
StarringAudie Murphy
CinematographyHal Mohr
Edited byChester W. Shaeffer
Music byLeith Stevens
Production
company
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • September 1958 (1958-09) (United States)
Running time
83 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Gun Runners is a 1958 American film noir crime film directed by Don Siegel, is the third adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's 1937 novel To Have and Have Not, and starring Audie Murphy.[1] Everett Sloane essays the part of the alcoholic sidekick originally played by Walter Brennan in the film's first adaptation, although Sloane's interpretation is less overtly comic. Eddie Albert delivers a bravura performance as a charismatic villain; other cast members include Jack Elam and Richard Jaeckel. Gita Hall, "Miss Stockholm of 1953", made her Hollywood film debut as Albert's girlfriend Eva.

The earlier remake, titled The Breaking Point (1950), was directed by Michael Curtiz and starred John Garfield.

Don Siegel, writing about the film in his memoirs, reflected, "There’s an old adage: never make a sea picture with a C budget."[2]

Plot

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Sam Martin (Audie Murphy) runs a charter boat with his alcoholic first mate Harvey (Everett Sloane). He is forced by financial necessity to run guns for the Cuban Revolution but his employer seeks to maximise his profit.

Cast

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Production

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According to Don Siegel, star Audie Murphy had asked him to direct the film and United Artists agreed following the success of Baby Face Nelson. However Siegel was worried about the low budget.[4]

This was the first feature from the fledgling Seven Arts Productions.[5] Director Don Siegel was unhappy with having to use Audie Murphy in the lead role.[6] However Siegel wrote Murphy "was always polite and quiet with me, never any trouble."[7]

The film was shot in Newport Beach, California,

Reception

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Ron. of Variety called it a "well-done adventure yarn with average b.o. prospects".[5]

See also

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Notes

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  • Siegel, Don (1993). A Siegel film : an autobiography. Faber and Faber.

References

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  1. ^ The Gun Runners at Audie Murphy Memorial Site
  2. ^ Siegel p 207
  3. ^ Lentz, Harris (May 30, 2019). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2018. McFarland. pp. 299–300. ISBN 9781476636559 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Siegel p 207
  5. ^ a b Ron. (September 17, 1958). "Film reviews: The Gun Runners". Variety. p. 7. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  6. ^ Glenn Erickson, 'The Gun Runners', Turner Classic Movies accessed 3 October 2023
  7. ^ Siegel p 209
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