Gun Crazy (1950), directed by Joseph H. Lewis.
First review
Aka Deadly Is the Female
Bart had a troubled childhood because of a fascination with guns. And yet he also has an aversion to killing. After stealing a gun from a hardware store he was sent to reform school, then went into the army (and taught marksmanship!)
Now he's out and looking for a job. At a carnival he meets trick shooter Laurie, his soul mate, who is also gun crazy but lacks his inhibitions about violence. She is, in fact, a psycho.
When their money runs out she reveals that she has always wanted to be a stick-up artist. He has to join in or lose her, and they begin a crime spree. Their "one more" last big heist is carefully planned but does not go well and they are on the run. They should split up but can't because they are also love crazy.
When you are on foot in the fog and hear the blood hounds in pursuit: the end is near.
Nicely intense film noir of the tragic sort. John Dall is sympathetic as a man with two obsessions who doesn't want to hurt anyone, and bad as she is we can't despise Peggy Cummins either. Everyone understands love crazy and we can't help guiltily rooting for a couple on the run.
Mixes studio sets with on location heists, some of which are done while the camera remains in the car, an exciting treatment during the chase scenes.
Victor Young score with Russell Harlan on the camera. The DVD has a detailed and interesting commentary track.
Second review
Additional thoughts and new thumbnails from the Blu-ray.
The sexual chemistry between the leads seems very strong this time. A troubled relationship but their devotion becomes stronger as their life goes to hell. The actors are John Dall -- Rope (1948) -- and Peggy Cummins -- Night of the Demon (1957).
She is the dominant character and he -- submissive and contemptible -- has to keep up with her. We see she is using him but in the end: it really is love.
Dall made only eight feature films. This is the career best for both leads.
I said that Bart has an aversion to killing, but we see him struggling with it. In the end he kills only one person.
Teen-aged Bart is played by young Russ Tamblyn -- The Haunting (1963), West Side Story (1961), Twin Peaks.
Screenplay by Dalton Trumbo, uncredited because he was blacklisted at the time..
Available on Blu-ray. Glenn Erickson's commentary track is brought forward from the DVD.