Veronica Lake had it all... and lost it all relatively quickly. She was a major star in the 1940's. One of Hollywood's most gorgeous women, she popularized the "peek-a-boo" hairstyle and thanks to her sultry looks, she became an Icon. Fifteen years later she was suffering from mental illness and alcoholism, broke and working at a Hotel bar. This Gun For Hire (1942), captures Miss Lake at her glorious best, however. It was a major role for her and this film marked the debut of her co-star, Alan Ladd.
Hitman Philip Raven (Alan Ladd) does a job for a man named Willard Gates, killing two blackmailers. Gates screws Raven over and pays him with marked bills. Now Raven is pissed and out to get even with Gates. Meanwhile, Ellen Graham (Veronica Lake) is the nightclub magician girlfriend of the detective out to catch Raven...
 |
| This Gun for Hire. 1942: Veronica Lake |
She is hired by a Senator to spy on Gates, whom he suspects of selling secrets to U.S. enemies...
 |
| This Gun for Hire. 1942: Veronica Lake |
 |
| This Gun for Hire. 1942: Veronica Lake |
By chance, Raven and Ellen sit together on a train...
 |
| This Gun for Hire. 1942: Veronica Lake |
At first, she is his potential victim, once she knows too much...
 |
| This Gun for Hire. 1942: Veronica Lake |
Eventually they become reluctant friends and cohorts, working together to go after Gates
 |
| This Gun for Hire. 1942: Veronica Lake |
 |
| This Gun for Hire. 1942: Veronica Lake |
