Chuck Wheeler (Gerald Mohr) gets out of prison and heads to Las Vegas to enact an elaborate heist where he plans to steal an armored car carrying over $2 million in post-New Year's gambling money. He enlists the aide of local gangster Joe Darren (Grant Richards) and his lounge singer fiancé Vi (Mamie Van Doren), who just happens to be the wife of Wheeler's old cell mate. They plan everything out and it looks like it will go smoothly until Vi's ex-husband, Mike (Lee Van Cleef), breaks out of jail. This is a quick moving B-picture and director Edward L. Cahn never lets it lag through its 70 minutes. Van Doren isn't as much of a bad girl as in the previous feature I saw, VICE RAID. Here she is more of a good girl caught in a bad situation. To show how good she is, Van Doren gets two musical numbers in this one. Surprisingly, they don't play up her curves as much as VICE, but the swelling horn section is still abused plenty on the soundtrack. The supporting cast is all good and it is funny to know that even when he was young, Van Cleef still looked old.
17 Reviews
Nice Caper Film
bkoganbing22 December 2016
Given the title Guns, Girls And Gangsters I was ready to trash even with what I thought was an interesting cast. But this independent film from United Artists turned out to be a lot better than I thought it would be given budget constraints.
Gerald Mohr is newly released from prison and he's got the germ of an idea for an armored car heist on the highway from Las Vegas to Los Angeles near the California/Nevada state line. It takes some split second timing and someone, namely him, who has to make a very accurate rifle shot.
It also depends on Mamie Van Doren checking into and occupying a room at a motel with a gas station and auto repair shop within feet of the spot picked by Mohr.
Mamie being Mamie has a lot of men interested in here, but they keep some distance because her husband Lee Van Cleef was Mohr's cellmate in the penitentiary is a most jealous type with a hair trigger. In fact the whole idea for the heist came from Van Cleef while he and Mohr were together in prison.
As in these films things that you can't plan for usually are what upsets the apple cart. In this case a jealous Van Cleef busts out of the joint with only three months left on his sentence.
Due to the nature of the plot Van Cleef only appears in the second half of the film. But when he comes on, he dominates. This is definitely one of his best early films.
The whole cast is outstanding. Mamie Van Doren always gives us something to look forward to. But Lee Van Cleef just totally steals Guns, Girls, And Gangsters.
Don't dismiss this one because of the exploitive title. This one is a real find.
Gerald Mohr is newly released from prison and he's got the germ of an idea for an armored car heist on the highway from Las Vegas to Los Angeles near the California/Nevada state line. It takes some split second timing and someone, namely him, who has to make a very accurate rifle shot.
It also depends on Mamie Van Doren checking into and occupying a room at a motel with a gas station and auto repair shop within feet of the spot picked by Mohr.
Mamie being Mamie has a lot of men interested in here, but they keep some distance because her husband Lee Van Cleef was Mohr's cellmate in the penitentiary is a most jealous type with a hair trigger. In fact the whole idea for the heist came from Van Cleef while he and Mohr were together in prison.
As in these films things that you can't plan for usually are what upsets the apple cart. In this case a jealous Van Cleef busts out of the joint with only three months left on his sentence.
Due to the nature of the plot Van Cleef only appears in the second half of the film. But when he comes on, he dominates. This is definitely one of his best early films.
The whole cast is outstanding. Mamie Van Doren always gives us something to look forward to. But Lee Van Cleef just totally steals Guns, Girls, And Gangsters.
Don't dismiss this one because of the exploitive title. This one is a real find.
Money and Mamie Van Doren
wes-connors29 June 2013
Released from San Quentin, slick and ingenious Gerald Mohr (as Charles "Chuck" Wheeler) travels from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. There, Mr. Mohr plans to carry out a $2 million dollar heist. He needs assistance from dangerous gangster Grant Richards (as Joe Darren), who runs the nightclub where blonde bombshell Mamie Van Doren (as Vi Victor) performs. All hell breaks loose when Mohr's steely-eyed cell-mate Lee Van Cleef (as Mike Bennett) escapes from prison. Having helped Mohr concoct the plot, he wants his share of the action...
The men must decide how to divide Ms. Van Doren and the money. They do well amid silly narration and lesser production values. Filmmakers Robert E. Kent and Edward L. Cahn know how to showcase Van Doren's notable assets. This is not one of better her acting vehicles, but Van Doren is arousing throughout. She has an outstanding lingerie scene and saunters two songs. Sung in a sultry Christmas scene, "Meet Me Half Way, Baby" is pedestrian, but "Anything Your Heart Desires" is a nicely staged (by Jack Baker) number for Van Doren.
***** Guns, Girls and Gangsters (1/59) Edward L. Cahn ~ Mamie Van Doren, Gerald Mohr, Lee Van Cleef, Grant Richards
The men must decide how to divide Ms. Van Doren and the money. They do well amid silly narration and lesser production values. Filmmakers Robert E. Kent and Edward L. Cahn know how to showcase Van Doren's notable assets. This is not one of better her acting vehicles, but Van Doren is arousing throughout. She has an outstanding lingerie scene and saunters two songs. Sung in a sultry Christmas scene, "Meet Me Half Way, Baby" is pedestrian, but "Anything Your Heart Desires" is a nicely staged (by Jack Baker) number for Van Doren.
***** Guns, Girls and Gangsters (1/59) Edward L. Cahn ~ Mamie Van Doren, Gerald Mohr, Lee Van Cleef, Grant Richards
guns, girls, gangsters and much excitement
searchanddestroy-13 February 2008
I watch this movie every two years. It's a great classic grade B thriller, perhaps the greatest of the 50's; and the best picture shot by Edward L Cahn. The director usually gives us sleepy flicks, always built on the same frame, except his first ones, the 30's ones, as "Law and order". He lost his soul during the 50's and early 60's, till his death.
A little masterpiece. Mamie Van Doren, Lee Van Cleef contribute much for it.
A fast paced and pretty shot little thriller. If you are a caper movie lover as I am, DON'T MISS IT.
I would put it on the same scale as "Plunder Road".
A little masterpiece. Mamie Van Doren, Lee Van Cleef contribute much for it.
A fast paced and pretty shot little thriller. If you are a caper movie lover as I am, DON'T MISS IT.
I would put it on the same scale as "Plunder Road".
"Better stand back, fellas. I take deep breaths."
bensonmum23 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I've written a review for this movie two times and two times my computer has crashed. I'm not doing it again, so I'll be brief.
I enjoy this movie much more than I should. It's got a ton of problems, the worst of which are plot holes big enough to drive the armored car in the movie through. But, it's too much fun not to like. Being a movie with Mamie Van Doren, she's quite naturally the center of attention. With two songs, platinum blond hair, quotes like the one I put in the title of this review, bullet bras, and skin-tight skirts - what's not to like? The rest of the cast, Gerald Mohr and Lee Van Cleef in particular, are also good. Van Cleef's crazed killer is an over-the-top blast. Add some real suspense toward the end of the movie, enough plot points for two movies, nice cinematography and locations, and noirish style dialogue - you've got a fun, 50s B-quickie that fans of this stuff should really check out. A 6/10 from me.
I enjoy this movie much more than I should. It's got a ton of problems, the worst of which are plot holes big enough to drive the armored car in the movie through. But, it's too much fun not to like. Being a movie with Mamie Van Doren, she's quite naturally the center of attention. With two songs, platinum blond hair, quotes like the one I put in the title of this review, bullet bras, and skin-tight skirts - what's not to like? The rest of the cast, Gerald Mohr and Lee Van Cleef in particular, are also good. Van Cleef's crazed killer is an over-the-top blast. Add some real suspense toward the end of the movie, enough plot points for two movies, nice cinematography and locations, and noirish style dialogue - you've got a fun, 50s B-quickie that fans of this stuff should really check out. A 6/10 from me.
Just enjoy this fun 50's action movie and try not to think too hard
AlsExGal23 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This film about an armored car heist has a script with more holes in it than Swiss cheese, but just forget all that and enjoy the action and fun.
It's about that late 50's production code busting vibe, about gangsters who, like James Cagney's Cody Jarrett, now found themselves made obsolete by police with high tech methods, and about musical numbers that are inserted into the film that are half old-style production number half coffee-house beatnik stuff.
Don't think too hard! Don't ask yourself why the best-of-the-bad gangsters (Gerald Mohr as Chuck Wheeler) in the film manages to win the heart of nightclub singer Vi Victor (Mamie Van Doren) when the first thing he does when they meet is slap her and paw her like she has no say in the matter or how he endears himself to her for only killing three people instead of five. Don't ask yourself why Vi bothers to put on a robe when she answers the door in the middle of the night when that robe is practically transparent and then she lets it "all hang out" by not closing the robe. Don't ponder why Vi's estranged convict husband (Lee Van Cleef as Mike Bennett) breaks out of prison just three months before his parole and then ruins a heist that was his idea in the first place by killing two of the three people involved in the heist the day before the job. By the way, Bennett would have been up for parole, not just automatically released. I can't believe that any parole board would have taken one look at that snarling animal and done anything but send him back to finish his sentence.
Finally, don't ask yourself why when the heist finally comes off that the crooks just didn't leave the easily identified armored car in the garage in the first place and take off with the money in a "civilian" car or why when things went bad they went BACK to the garage where the armored car last reported its status - flat tire - where they had to know the cops were headed.
The ending is a hoot with a voice over reminiscent of the old "Highway Patrol" series in which the film has to make a hero out of....the armored car??? ... with the announcer saying "it did what it was designed to do". A real hoot and highly recommended for the fun of it all.
It's about that late 50's production code busting vibe, about gangsters who, like James Cagney's Cody Jarrett, now found themselves made obsolete by police with high tech methods, and about musical numbers that are inserted into the film that are half old-style production number half coffee-house beatnik stuff.
Don't think too hard! Don't ask yourself why the best-of-the-bad gangsters (Gerald Mohr as Chuck Wheeler) in the film manages to win the heart of nightclub singer Vi Victor (Mamie Van Doren) when the first thing he does when they meet is slap her and paw her like she has no say in the matter or how he endears himself to her for only killing three people instead of five. Don't ask yourself why Vi bothers to put on a robe when she answers the door in the middle of the night when that robe is practically transparent and then she lets it "all hang out" by not closing the robe. Don't ponder why Vi's estranged convict husband (Lee Van Cleef as Mike Bennett) breaks out of prison just three months before his parole and then ruins a heist that was his idea in the first place by killing two of the three people involved in the heist the day before the job. By the way, Bennett would have been up for parole, not just automatically released. I can't believe that any parole board would have taken one look at that snarling animal and done anything but send him back to finish his sentence.
Finally, don't ask yourself why when the heist finally comes off that the crooks just didn't leave the easily identified armored car in the garage in the first place and take off with the money in a "civilian" car or why when things went bad they went BACK to the garage where the armored car last reported its status - flat tire - where they had to know the cops were headed.
The ending is a hoot with a voice over reminiscent of the old "Highway Patrol" series in which the film has to make a hero out of....the armored car??? ... with the announcer saying "it did what it was designed to do". A real hoot and highly recommended for the fun of it all.
pants hot
SnoopyStyle15 June 2020
Chuck Wheeler (Gerald Mohr) leaves prison and plans an armored truck robbery which is carrying money from a Las Vegas casino. He forcefully recruits night club singer Vi Victor (Mamie Van Doren), the wife of his possessive ex-cellmate Mike Bennett (Lee Van Cleef). Mike escapes right before the planned robbery and all hell breaks loose.
The first memorable visual is Mamie Van Doren with those pants. One expects a ball gown but no, it's pants. She's the definition of the blonde bombshell. It's a little bit of a grind for a small time until Lee Van Cleef comes crashing in on the party. It's no doubt a B-crime thriller but it's still a good fun little short movie.
The first memorable visual is Mamie Van Doren with those pants. One expects a ball gown but no, it's pants. She's the definition of the blonde bombshell. It's a little bit of a grind for a small time until Lee Van Cleef comes crashing in on the party. It's no doubt a B-crime thriller but it's still a good fun little short movie.
How Bout That Title!
LeonLouisRicci1 February 2013
With this great title we get Guns (45's, rifles with scope and silencer, 38's), Girls (Mamie and a Nuclear White Bread Wife), and Gangsters (cons, gamblers, techno-nerds, thugs). Mamie Van Doren was the third-rate platinum blonde (after Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield) of the 1950's.
She had a hard look and demeanor contrasting Marilyn's doey-eyed sweetness and Jayne's playful pin-up, so she played Molls and Dames and wore her skin-tight, reflective attire with seductive charm. Here she is also allowed two "singing and dancing" numbers that are pedestrian but passable.
Lee Van Cleef's sneering and devilish face provide the violence and nastiness. It is a somewhat boring pace but kick's in after a very slow start with a gabby set-up and less than interesting compositions.
Not a bad B-Movie and is welcome enough but just isn't too remarkable. Some blame could be put on the over-age, unattractive, baggy-eyed Mohr who was one of the most unappealing self-conscious "leads" around the Drive-In Movie circuit.
She had a hard look and demeanor contrasting Marilyn's doey-eyed sweetness and Jayne's playful pin-up, so she played Molls and Dames and wore her skin-tight, reflective attire with seductive charm. Here she is also allowed two "singing and dancing" numbers that are pedestrian but passable.
Lee Van Cleef's sneering and devilish face provide the violence and nastiness. It is a somewhat boring pace but kick's in after a very slow start with a gabby set-up and less than interesting compositions.
Not a bad B-Movie and is welcome enough but just isn't too remarkable. Some blame could be put on the over-age, unattractive, baggy-eyed Mohr who was one of the most unappealing self-conscious "leads" around the Drive-In Movie circuit.
The blonde is dynamite
Prismark108 December 2018
Guns Girls and Gangsters has two things going for it. Mamie Van Doren looking sultry and a villain with an outrageous plan to rob an armoured truck carrying the takings from Las Vegas casinos to a bank in Los Angeles.
Chuck Wheeler (Gerald Mohr) fresh out of jail has been testing the plan. This includes shooting car tyres from a distance. He ropes in sexy Vegas lounge singer Vi Victor (Mamie Van Doren) who he also falls for. However she is the wife of Wheeler's former cellmate, Mike (Lee Van Cleef.) When he finds out that Vi wants a divorce Mike busts out of jail and goes looking for her.
This is an efficient B movie, a noirish thriller with a couple of musical numbers. The film has an Untouchables type of narration and springs to life when Van Cleef shoots through.
Chuck Wheeler (Gerald Mohr) fresh out of jail has been testing the plan. This includes shooting car tyres from a distance. He ropes in sexy Vegas lounge singer Vi Victor (Mamie Van Doren) who he also falls for. However she is the wife of Wheeler's former cellmate, Mike (Lee Van Cleef.) When he finds out that Vi wants a divorce Mike busts out of jail and goes looking for her.
This is an efficient B movie, a noirish thriller with a couple of musical numbers. The film has an Untouchables type of narration and springs to life when Van Cleef shoots through.
The Story of an Ex-Con Who Wants It All
Uriah431 July 2019
This film begins with an ex-convict named "Charles Wheeler" (Gerald Mohr) going to a nightclub in Las Vegas to meet a showgirl named "Vi Victor" (Mamie Van Doren) who just happens to be the wife of his former cell mate "Mike Bennett" (Lee Van Cleef). As it turns out, Charles has discovered that Vi has been having an affair with a man named "Joe Darren" (Grant Richards). That being the case, Charles needs Vi to set up a meeting between him and Joe. To further elaborate, Charles has formulated a plan to rob an armored car worth $2 million and he needs Joe's connections to the black market to launder the stolen money. But having spent several years in prison staring at a picture of Vi, the money isn't the only thing that Charles wants. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this film turned out to be slightly better than I anticipated due in large part to the interesting plot and the presence of the incredibly beautiful Mamie Van Doren who dominated every scene she was in. Of course, being a low-budget production this film had some limitations but even so it managed to keep my attention for the most part and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.
I never miss a Mamie Van Doren film noir musical!
mark.waltz3 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
"Eat, drink, be merry, and play the slot machines, everybody, because tomorrow, they could set off another bomb at Frenchman's Flats and blow Las Vegas off into a state where they don't allow gambling!"
So quips that brilliant songstress, Miss Van Doren, after singing a fairly decent (if tacky) "Anything Your Heart Desires" as a Vegas showgirl that Elizabeth Hurley would envy. After getting a message from her jailbird husband's ex-cell-mate (Gerald Mohr), Van Doren emotes in a way that was absolutely no threat to Monroe, Mansfield, Dors (Diana) or half the other blonde bombshells who invaded the cinema in the 1950's. Mohr's message is a simple slap which is so phony looking on film that it looks like it had the impact of a kiss. The script has such fabulously bad "B" movie lines such as "Take it easy baby, No fuss, no muss" and "I hope they feed you to the fish!", spoken so dramatically that you'd think that the actors believed that they were quoting Shakespeare.
While this really isn't a full musical (2 Vegas numbers) and only has minor elements of film noir, it is definitely one of those deliciously bad "B" movies that sometimes gets classified as noir but is one of the type that true noir aficionados argue over. With the already campy name of "Vi Victor", Mansfield seems to grin every time she has to spout one of those deliciously bad lines. Perhaps she was thinking of the oh, so dramatic narration over the action, the narrator sounding like the newscaster from "Gilligan's Island". If you took a sip of a drink every time that "Vi Victor" was mentioned by the narrator, you'd be drunk after 2 or 3 reels! The film also adds in a holiday spirit with such lines as "Drunk all year, and Santa Claus on Christmas!" as it plays Christmas carols in the background.
This is a plot line that's been utilized over and over again, the robbery of an armored car truck, and this one surrounds casino money, a plot device also used, and certainly much better. "Vi Victor" is used as a lookout, and it all seems to be going well until "Vi Victor's" jailbird husband (Lee Van Cleef no less!) escapes from prison (on New Year's Eve no less!) and threatens to louse up the whole scheme! I have to categorize this as one of those films that so bad that it's good, the films that drive-ins clamored for and probably never had a sit-down theater showing outside the second run or theaters desperate for a booking. "Make plenty of room. I take deep breaths!", Mansfield shouts to her drunken audience as she breaks into her second number, "Meet Me Half Way". It's just too bad that she lacks the sensuality of Monroe and Mansfield (and certainly their natural ability to be funny), and in her efforts to be sexy just comes up an empty bottle of peroxide.
And remember, "There can't be a tomorrow for those who only live for today!" Truer words were never more badly acted.
So quips that brilliant songstress, Miss Van Doren, after singing a fairly decent (if tacky) "Anything Your Heart Desires" as a Vegas showgirl that Elizabeth Hurley would envy. After getting a message from her jailbird husband's ex-cell-mate (Gerald Mohr), Van Doren emotes in a way that was absolutely no threat to Monroe, Mansfield, Dors (Diana) or half the other blonde bombshells who invaded the cinema in the 1950's. Mohr's message is a simple slap which is so phony looking on film that it looks like it had the impact of a kiss. The script has such fabulously bad "B" movie lines such as "Take it easy baby, No fuss, no muss" and "I hope they feed you to the fish!", spoken so dramatically that you'd think that the actors believed that they were quoting Shakespeare.
While this really isn't a full musical (2 Vegas numbers) and only has minor elements of film noir, it is definitely one of those deliciously bad "B" movies that sometimes gets classified as noir but is one of the type that true noir aficionados argue over. With the already campy name of "Vi Victor", Mansfield seems to grin every time she has to spout one of those deliciously bad lines. Perhaps she was thinking of the oh, so dramatic narration over the action, the narrator sounding like the newscaster from "Gilligan's Island". If you took a sip of a drink every time that "Vi Victor" was mentioned by the narrator, you'd be drunk after 2 or 3 reels! The film also adds in a holiday spirit with such lines as "Drunk all year, and Santa Claus on Christmas!" as it plays Christmas carols in the background.
This is a plot line that's been utilized over and over again, the robbery of an armored car truck, and this one surrounds casino money, a plot device also used, and certainly much better. "Vi Victor" is used as a lookout, and it all seems to be going well until "Vi Victor's" jailbird husband (Lee Van Cleef no less!) escapes from prison (on New Year's Eve no less!) and threatens to louse up the whole scheme! I have to categorize this as one of those films that so bad that it's good, the films that drive-ins clamored for and probably never had a sit-down theater showing outside the second run or theaters desperate for a booking. "Make plenty of room. I take deep breaths!", Mansfield shouts to her drunken audience as she breaks into her second number, "Meet Me Half Way". It's just too bad that she lacks the sensuality of Monroe and Mansfield (and certainly their natural ability to be funny), and in her efforts to be sexy just comes up an empty bottle of peroxide.
And remember, "There can't be a tomorrow for those who only live for today!" Truer words were never more badly acted.
Tough and heartless....and that's the way I like my film noir!
planktonrules30 April 2017
"Guns, Girls, and Gangsters" not only has a great title, but this inexpensively made film works well for lovers of film noir. While it doesn't have all the great lighting and camera angles of some of the best noir, it does have a cold, nasty edge to it that makes it a standout picture.
When the film begins, Chuck Wheeler (Gerald Mohr) boldly approaches the nightclub singer, Vi Victor (Mamie Van Doren*) and insists she introduce him to her boss...a sophisticated hood. When I say insists, I pretty much mean he forces her with threats and intimidation. Why would Chuck take his life in his hands this way? After all, this boss ALSO is sweet on Vi. Well, it seems that Chuck and his cellmate in prison came up with a great plan to steal $2,000,000 and if they keep their heads, they'll all be rich.
Unfortunately, like almost all film noir movies, there is a glitch that gets in the way of this can't miss plan...that cellmate, Mike Bennett (Lee Van Cleef) escapes from prison. Mike is a sociopath and is mostly concerned with killing anyone who is involved with Vi- -even though she divorced him long ago. Without even bothering to find out what was going on, he starts killing folks! In fact, killing people is like eating potato chips with this guy...he can't stop at just one! So what is the clear-thinking and slick Chuck going to do? And, will this great plan STILL work?
I appreciated a lot about the film. Despite Mamie Van Doren, Gerald Mohr and Lee Van Cleef all being B or C-list actors, they are all excellent and very convincing. Additionally, the script is very tough and gritty. An exciting little film...one not to be missed by noir nuts like me!
*I have no idea HOW she's done it, but I've seen recent pictures of Miss Van Doren. Despite her age, she is incredibly sexy and not the least bit apprehensive about posing in the nude. Heck, most 30 year-olds would be thrilled to have a body like hers....and I can only assume she has some sort of Dorian Gray sort of pact with the Devil that allows her to be so timeless.
When the film begins, Chuck Wheeler (Gerald Mohr) boldly approaches the nightclub singer, Vi Victor (Mamie Van Doren*) and insists she introduce him to her boss...a sophisticated hood. When I say insists, I pretty much mean he forces her with threats and intimidation. Why would Chuck take his life in his hands this way? After all, this boss ALSO is sweet on Vi. Well, it seems that Chuck and his cellmate in prison came up with a great plan to steal $2,000,000 and if they keep their heads, they'll all be rich.
Unfortunately, like almost all film noir movies, there is a glitch that gets in the way of this can't miss plan...that cellmate, Mike Bennett (Lee Van Cleef) escapes from prison. Mike is a sociopath and is mostly concerned with killing anyone who is involved with Vi- -even though she divorced him long ago. Without even bothering to find out what was going on, he starts killing folks! In fact, killing people is like eating potato chips with this guy...he can't stop at just one! So what is the clear-thinking and slick Chuck going to do? And, will this great plan STILL work?
I appreciated a lot about the film. Despite Mamie Van Doren, Gerald Mohr and Lee Van Cleef all being B or C-list actors, they are all excellent and very convincing. Additionally, the script is very tough and gritty. An exciting little film...one not to be missed by noir nuts like me!
*I have no idea HOW she's done it, but I've seen recent pictures of Miss Van Doren. Despite her age, she is incredibly sexy and not the least bit apprehensive about posing in the nude. Heck, most 30 year-olds would be thrilled to have a body like hers....and I can only assume she has some sort of Dorian Gray sort of pact with the Devil that allows her to be so timeless.
Predictable docu-noir pumped up with palpitating van Doren
adrianovasconcelos24 August 2023
Edward L. Cahn is not exactly the most famous of film directors, in fact he was better known for his editing, notably of ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (1930). About 30 years later. Here we have him directing a shoestring B production, with buxom Mami van Doren singing and dishing out some caustic remarks whilst changing partners at breakneck speed.
Though Elaine Edwards is the other female to justify GIRLS in the plural in the film's title, van Doren stands far and away as the dominating figure, one would be dominatrix who does not succeed, even if her men try everything to put her up in cushy lifestyle: Gerald Mohr, as heist planner Chuck Wheeler (wheeler and dealer until his wheels come off); Lee van Cleef as the cuckolded hubby who beats it out of the pen at a most inappropriate time; the hapless Grant Richards... and a voiceover FBI-like narration that tells you from the outset all will go down the tubes for the outlaws-
Oh well, cinematography by Ken Peach is peachy and the screenplay by Robert Kent has some some sharp moments. Worthy of one watch at least. 7/10.
Though Elaine Edwards is the other female to justify GIRLS in the plural in the film's title, van Doren stands far and away as the dominating figure, one would be dominatrix who does not succeed, even if her men try everything to put her up in cushy lifestyle: Gerald Mohr, as heist planner Chuck Wheeler (wheeler and dealer until his wheels come off); Lee van Cleef as the cuckolded hubby who beats it out of the pen at a most inappropriate time; the hapless Grant Richards... and a voiceover FBI-like narration that tells you from the outset all will go down the tubes for the outlaws-
Oh well, cinematography by Ken Peach is peachy and the screenplay by Robert Kent has some some sharp moments. Worthy of one watch at least. 7/10.
The 1950s!
richard-graham-604-5877409 February 2013
There is a scene in this movie that totally sums up the 1950s. Mamie Van Doren, bleached hair flowing in the wind, glamorous sunglasses glinting in the sun, drives a 1958 Edsel Citation Convertible, no doubt pink, that is pulling a horse trailer. It doesn't get any more 1950s than that!!!!
Enjoy this movie for its 1950s clichés. All the good girls are brunettes, and the bad girls are blondes. Men in tight suits and skinny ties. Crappy Rock-n-Roll. Cops save the day. Bad people get punished. People talk tired Film-Noir-speak. Mamie Van Doren's Bullet Bra and wide hips encased in an iron girdle.
Show this movie at your next 1950s party.
Enjoy this movie for its 1950s clichés. All the good girls are brunettes, and the bad girls are blondes. Men in tight suits and skinny ties. Crappy Rock-n-Roll. Cops save the day. Bad people get punished. People talk tired Film-Noir-speak. Mamie Van Doren's Bullet Bra and wide hips encased in an iron girdle.
Show this movie at your next 1950s party.
Nice "B" Picture with Fun Cast
Michael_Elliott1 February 2013
Guns, Girls and Gangsters (1959)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Chuck Wheeler (Gerald Mohr) gets released from prison and decides to hold up an armor truck outside of Las Vegas. He gets involved with his cell mates former squeeze (Mamie Van Doren) but everything gets messed up when that guy (Lee Van Cleef) breaks out of prison and wants in on the action. The best thing about GUNS, GIRLS AND GANGSTERS is the rather catchy title and while nothing new is done for the crime genre, overall this here is a pretty fun "B" movie as long as you don't take it too serious or expect any sort of masterpiece. A lot of the film's entertainment value must be given to the cast who manage to fit their roles nicely and they help keep the film moving. I thought Mohr did a nice job in the role as the baddie as he had no problem being tough but you could also like him. It was fun seeing Van Cleef in a film long before he hit that image of the Sergio Leone films. He too manages to do a nice job in the role of the real villain without any redeeming factors. Mrs. Mamie Van Doren certainly is a looker and she manages to fit the role nicely but I will freely admit that her singing numbers were rather painful and should have been cut out all together. Director Edward L. Cahn manages to build up some nice drama at the end during the finale, which also includes some excellent gun fights and a rather violent conclusion. The narration that runs throughout the picture is certainly something very weak and just wait until you hear that closing line! I'm sure it was meant to be tough or raw yet it comes off hilariously bad. GUNS, GIRLS AND GANGSTERS should appeal to those who enjoy "B" pictures.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Chuck Wheeler (Gerald Mohr) gets released from prison and decides to hold up an armor truck outside of Las Vegas. He gets involved with his cell mates former squeeze (Mamie Van Doren) but everything gets messed up when that guy (Lee Van Cleef) breaks out of prison and wants in on the action. The best thing about GUNS, GIRLS AND GANGSTERS is the rather catchy title and while nothing new is done for the crime genre, overall this here is a pretty fun "B" movie as long as you don't take it too serious or expect any sort of masterpiece. A lot of the film's entertainment value must be given to the cast who manage to fit their roles nicely and they help keep the film moving. I thought Mohr did a nice job in the role as the baddie as he had no problem being tough but you could also like him. It was fun seeing Van Cleef in a film long before he hit that image of the Sergio Leone films. He too manages to do a nice job in the role of the real villain without any redeeming factors. Mrs. Mamie Van Doren certainly is a looker and she manages to fit the role nicely but I will freely admit that her singing numbers were rather painful and should have been cut out all together. Director Edward L. Cahn manages to build up some nice drama at the end during the finale, which also includes some excellent gun fights and a rather violent conclusion. The narration that runs throughout the picture is certainly something very weak and just wait until you hear that closing line! I'm sure it was meant to be tough or raw yet it comes off hilariously bad. GUNS, GIRLS AND GANGSTERS should appeal to those who enjoy "B" pictures.
Over the Top Plot!!
kidboots24 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
They called her the "Platinum Powerhouse" and while she was prettier and more talented than her rival, Jayne Mansfield, Mamie Van Doren seemed to be mired in exploitation movies. She wasn't able to capitalize on her success in an A "Teacher's Pet" but after a brief sojourn in Italy she was back in Hollywood where she met talented director Edward L. Cahn but the result was more exploitative quickies. He had started in 1926 as a film cutter for Universal but in the 1950s was behind some cult movies such as "The She Creature" and "Dragstrip Girl".
Their first collaboration was "Guns, Girls and Gangsters" guaranteed to have teens flocking to the drive-ins and while Mamie got to show her musical talents in two sexy numbers for the remainder of the film she seemed to act like a cat on heat!! With enough plot complications for 3 movies, let alone one of only 70 minutes in length, this starts off like an Ed Wood Jnr. movie - more voice over than actual acting!! Chuck Wheeler (Gerald Mohr) is trying to recruit a gang to pull off an armoured car heist and of course every gang must have a moll - and who better than Mamie as Vi Victor, a slinky entertainer at Club Toreador, who is introduced singing the sultry "Anything Your Heart Desires" and then encouraging patrons to put their money in the slot machines!!! The robbery is planned to the nth degree - then disaster strikes when Vi's psychotic husband (Lee Van Cleef) escapes from San Quentin and starts shooting anyone who has ever looked twice at his (soon to be X) wife!! He is only stopped as he watches from a window Vi's sexy song "Meet Me Half Way". Thanks to the young couple who are the proprietors of the "Stage Coach Inn" and who dream of white picket fences and little cottages in the country, Vi is a reformed gal. She now wants a home among wide open spaces where she is not constantly looking over her shoulder and Chuck is happy to reform as well. They just have to survive a shootout and her husband's angry ire!!! Can they do it - you'll just have to watch the movie!!!
Their first collaboration was "Guns, Girls and Gangsters" guaranteed to have teens flocking to the drive-ins and while Mamie got to show her musical talents in two sexy numbers for the remainder of the film she seemed to act like a cat on heat!! With enough plot complications for 3 movies, let alone one of only 70 minutes in length, this starts off like an Ed Wood Jnr. movie - more voice over than actual acting!! Chuck Wheeler (Gerald Mohr) is trying to recruit a gang to pull off an armoured car heist and of course every gang must have a moll - and who better than Mamie as Vi Victor, a slinky entertainer at Club Toreador, who is introduced singing the sultry "Anything Your Heart Desires" and then encouraging patrons to put their money in the slot machines!!! The robbery is planned to the nth degree - then disaster strikes when Vi's psychotic husband (Lee Van Cleef) escapes from San Quentin and starts shooting anyone who has ever looked twice at his (soon to be X) wife!! He is only stopped as he watches from a window Vi's sexy song "Meet Me Half Way". Thanks to the young couple who are the proprietors of the "Stage Coach Inn" and who dream of white picket fences and little cottages in the country, Vi is a reformed gal. She now wants a home among wide open spaces where she is not constantly looking over her shoulder and Chuck is happy to reform as well. They just have to survive a shootout and her husband's angry ire!!! Can they do it - you'll just have to watch the movie!!!
Drive-in Special
dougdoepke31 January 2013
With a title like "Guns, Girls, and Gangsters", the movie could be headed in only one direction— the local drive-in. Add top-heavy van Doren to the head of the marquee, and you've got a real teenage winner. So what if the result comes off like a 3rd-rate rip-off of Kubrick's classic The Killing of two years before, replete with time-ticking narration. True, there's some imagination that went into the details of the armored car heist here; too bad, however, that the imagination didn't carry over to the lame climax. It's like they were running out of film and had to wrap right away.
The movie does have two of B-movies' more underrated tough guys—Mohr and van Cleef. Between them they charge the 80-minutes with some needed authority. Too bad van Cleef makes a late arrival, because their rivalry sets off sparks and could easily have replaced the awkward van Doren's screen time, which is also taken up by two of the most forgettable songs on record. A better script and more imaginative direction minus van Doren could have turned this uneven exercise into a no-nonsense Plunder Road (1958) type, which was also a cheap, but very well executed heist film.
(In passing—I wonder if someone in Sinatra's so-called Rat Pack caught this obscure production since the premise looks a lot like Sinatra's Ocean's Eleven {1960}.)
The movie does have two of B-movies' more underrated tough guys—Mohr and van Cleef. Between them they charge the 80-minutes with some needed authority. Too bad van Cleef makes a late arrival, because their rivalry sets off sparks and could easily have replaced the awkward van Doren's screen time, which is also taken up by two of the most forgettable songs on record. A better script and more imaginative direction minus van Doren could have turned this uneven exercise into a no-nonsense Plunder Road (1958) type, which was also a cheap, but very well executed heist film.
(In passing—I wonder if someone in Sinatra's so-called Rat Pack caught this obscure production since the premise looks a lot like Sinatra's Ocean's Eleven {1960}.)
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
