The Killers (1946) -- What Makes This Movie Great? (Episode 194)

[@mrscarter8334]

I love how they mention Hackensack Hospital in this movie. Priceless!

[@daltonanderson3718]

Theres also a metaphysical theme of reincarnation as the insurance investigator carries the swede's old hankerchief that held his symbol on it and it feels as if that hankerchief contains his soul and, in a way with the investigator as a proxy, its the Swede walking through as a spectre in Reardon confronting what lead to his forthcoming fate and why Kitty left him.

[@darthelooi8021]

For some reason I never saw this or added it to my watchlist, I just saw Touch of Evil for the first time so I'm definitely in the Noir mood. Might watch this later this week.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

have fun!

[@fasterpussycatkillkill9650]

This is on tonight’s menu!

[@sebastianalegria3401]

Talking about a movie like The Killers means talking about the old Hollywood in which several talented actors emerged like Marlon Brando, who changed acting forever thanks to his performance in "A Streetcar named Desire". About classic films, both The Killers and Elmer Gantry starring Burt Lancaster who died 30 years ago.

[@michaelkalman6912]

There are not 9 but rather 10 flashbacks in "The Killers", as follows: 1. Flashback by Nick Adams - Reardon interviews Nick Adams, a gas station worker who knew The Swede. 2. Flashback by Queenie Daugherty - Queenie recalls discovering The Swede in a frantic and suicidal state in his disheveled room. 3. Flashback by Lt. Sam Lubinsky - Lubinsky recalls The Swede’s promising boxing career, which ended due to a hand injury. 4. Flashback by Lilli - Lilli recalls a party where The Swede first saw Kitty Collins. He was immediately captivated by her. 5. Flashback by Lt. Sam Lubinsky - Lubinsky recounts how he arrested The Swede, taking the fall for Kitty. 6. Flashback by Charleston - Charleston recalls their time in prison together. 7. Flashback by Charleston - Charleston recalls a meeting between Colfax and the gang after The Swede’s release from prison. 8. Flashback by Kenyon - As Kenyon reads the newspaper article, a flashback unfolds, showing the events of the payroll heist. 9. Flashback by Blinky Franklin - In a state of delirium, Blinky recalls the payroll heist. 10. Flashback by Kitty Collins - Kitty remembers visiting The Swede the night before the heist.

[@michaelsamerdyke108]

I definitely think of this as indebted to Citizen Kane, and I think Pulp Fiction took the "fractured chronology" approach of this film. There is a ton of good stuff in this film. Wonderful character actors besides the great performance from Lancaster. The camera work on the hat factory payroll robbery is outstanding. I also like Siodmak's "Criss Cross," another doomed caper film told with flashbacks.

[@drdavid1963]

Citizen Kane said it best with the dialogue exchange 'If you could have found out what Rosebud meant, I bet that would have explained everything' 'No I don't think so. I guess Rosebud is just a piece in a jigsaw puzzle. A missing piece.' It beautifully sums up how you can't ever know another person's life fully. It remains a mystery. That perhaps explains (from a philosophical point of view) the mystery surrounding the Swede. The Killers is, indeed, one of the best film noirs (my personal favourite is Jacques Tourneur's Out of The Past) with elaborate complexity that you managed to summarise succinctly. All film noirs borrow from Citizen Kane both in terms of plot, lighting and camerawork but the truth (or lack of it) comes out of deceit and deception, considering the various characters' motivations, what they wish to hide and why. This kind of complexity that creates a barrier to the truth was expanded from Citizen Kane and draws more on films like The Maltese Falcon and Laura. Film noir formed the basis of an extremely fertile and creative postwar period in Hollywood that's endlessly fascinating as a cinematic style. Siodmak also made lesser efforts The Spiral Staircase and Criss Cross which are well worth a watch.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. Out of the Past is also really great.

[@anthonya.1359]

Please review "The Asphalt Jungle " with Sterling Hayden.

[@davidcote5637]

Another great analysis, Josh. Is it too much for me to say that you are carrying the Siskel-Ebert torch?

[@ametora1231]

unrelated but have you ever watched the films of Harmony Korine? if so, what are your thoughts on him?