The Killers (1964)

The Killers

Theatrical poster

Country	United States
Directed by	Don Siegel
Release Date	1964
Language	English
Studio	Revue Studios
Distributor	Universal Pictures

Main Cast
Character	Actor
Charlie Strom	Lee Marvin
Lee	Clu Gulager
Jack Browning	Ronald Reagan
Sheila Farr	Angie Dickinson
Johnny North	John Cassavetes
Earl Sylvester	Claude Akins
George Fleming	Robert Phillips
Mickey Farmer	Norman Fell

The Killers is a 1964 crime film directed by Don Siegel and based on Ernest Hemingway's short story of the same name. The film stars Lee Marvin, Clu Gulager, John Cassavetes, Angie Dickinson, and in his final film role (before entering politics), Ronald Reagan. The film was intended to be the very first made-for-TV film, but was eventually rejected by NBC due to its violent content and was given a theatrical release. This was the second adaptation of Hemingway's short story of the same name, but director Don Siegel and writer Gene Coon went out of their way to make sure it was as loose as an adaptation and as different from the first film as possible, changing the names of all the characters, and even changing the point of view. It was also the first, and only, film in Reagan's career where he played a villain, a role he took at the urging of good friends agent Lew Wasserman and director Don Siegel. Reagan supposedly regretted taking the role, mainly objecting to a scene where he had to strike Angie Dickinson. This was also the first film role for Clu Gulager, who had previously only worked on television, and the score was one of the early works of composer John Williams (who was still credited at the time as "Johnny Williams.")

The following guns were used in the movie The Killers:

Smith & Wesson Model 27

Charlie Strom (Lee Marvin) uses a suppressed Smith & Wesson Model 27 throughout the film.

S&W Model 27 with custom target grips and Patridge Sights - .357 Magnum

Charlie draws his suppressed S&W 27 early in the film. Oddly enough, Charlie only keeps the revolver in the brown briefcase, never on his person.

Charlie about to attach the suppressor in Browning's office.

The Patridge sights can be seen here.

Charlie outside of Browning's residence. According to costar Clu Gulager and director Don Siegel, Lee Marvin had come to the set drunk and was still inebriated while filming this scene.

Special

A publicity still of Lee Marvin as Charlie Strom with his S&W 27.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 (Snub-nosed)

Lee (Clu Gulager) and Jack Browning (Ronald Reagan) use snub-nosed Smith & Wesson Model 10s throughout the film.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 snub nose revolver - .38 Special. Early Model

Lee shows Earl Sylvester (Claude Akins) his S&W 10 snub. The Smith & Wesson logo can be seen in this shot.

Another angle of the above.

Lee's revolver on the floor as he does pushups.

Browning with his suppressed S&W 10 snub.

A closeup of Browning's revolver.

Special

A publicity still of Browning with Sheila Farr (Angie Dickinson).

Smith & Wesson Model 10

Johnny North (John Cassavetes) and Jack Browning use full-sized Model 10's during the holdup.

Smith & Wesson Model M&P Revolver with 5" Barrel - .38 Special

Browning approaches the mail truck with revolver drawn.

This shot shows the disadvantage of the clamshell holster, as Browning is forced to use both hands to holster his revolver. Clamshell holsters were popular in California in the sixties.