Guns Don't Argue
Encyclopedia
Guns Don't Argue is a composite of three re-edited episodes from the 1952 TV series Gangbusters. The film was released to theatres in 1957
as a feature film which was produced by William Faris, directed by Bill Karn & Richard Kahn.
A similar film, Gang Busters (1954), was also originally based on the dramatic radio program first titled G-Men, which premiered on July 20, 1935. The title was changed to Gang Busters
on January 15, 1936.
The film is considered by some to be a revisionist style docu-drama which portrays the war on crime of the 1920s and 1930s notably in the favor of the Federal agents involved. A very pro-Hoover
style film with narration of the criminal element in an over emphasized way. Though the film does show a counterpoint to the often romanticized lives of outlaws and criminals, it does so too far in the extreme. Where the real history gets muddled in the 1950s 'value' system.
Most notable is the portrayal of the deaths of Bonnie and Clyde
as well as John Dillinger
. The scenes show each firing off the first shot, and having ample time to "give themselves up". When in fact they were gunned down in an ambush by the police and Federal agents.
Discussed in the film are John Dillinger
, Ma Barker
, Alvin Karpis
, Fred Barker, Homer Van Meter
, Bonnie Parker, Clyde Barrow, and Pretty-Boy Floyd.
1957 in film
The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:...
as a feature film which was produced by William Faris, directed by Bill Karn & Richard Kahn.
A similar film, Gang Busters (1954), was also originally based on the dramatic radio program first titled G-Men, which premiered on July 20, 1935. The title was changed to Gang Busters
Gang Busters
Gang Busters was an American dramatic radio program heralded as "the only national program that brings you authentic police case histories." It premiered as G-Men, sponsored by Chevrolet, on July 20, 1935.-History:...
on January 15, 1936.
The film is considered by some to be a revisionist style docu-drama which portrays the war on crime of the 1920s and 1930s notably in the favor of the Federal agents involved. A very pro-Hoover
J. Edgar Hoover
John Edgar Hoover was the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States. Appointed director of the Bureau of Investigation—predecessor to the FBI—in 1924, he was instrumental in founding the FBI in 1935, where he remained director until his death in 1972...
style film with narration of the criminal element in an over emphasized way. Though the film does show a counterpoint to the often romanticized lives of outlaws and criminals, it does so too far in the extreme. Where the real history gets muddled in the 1950s 'value' system.
Most notable is the portrayal of the deaths of Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut Barrow were well-known outlaws, robbers, and criminals who traveled the Central United States with their gang during the Great Depression. Their exploits captured the attention of the American public during the "public enemy era" between 1931 and 1934...
as well as John Dillinger
John Dillinger
John Herbert Dillinger, Jr. was an American bank robber in Depression-era United States. He was charged with, but never convicted of, the murder of an East Chicago, Indiana police officer during a shoot-out. This was his only alleged homicide. His gang robbed two dozen banks and four police stations...
. The scenes show each firing off the first shot, and having ample time to "give themselves up". When in fact they were gunned down in an ambush by the police and Federal agents.
Discussed in the film are John Dillinger
John Dillinger
John Herbert Dillinger, Jr. was an American bank robber in Depression-era United States. He was charged with, but never convicted of, the murder of an East Chicago, Indiana police officer during a shoot-out. This was his only alleged homicide. His gang robbed two dozen banks and four police stations...
, Ma Barker
Ma Barker
Kate "Ma" Barker was the mother of several criminals who ran the Barker gang from the "public enemy era", when the exploits of gangs of criminals in the U.S. Midwest gripped the American people and press...
, Alvin Karpis
Alvin Karpis
Alvin Francis Karpis , nicknamed "Creepy" for his sinister smile, was an American criminal known for his alliance with the Barker gang in the 1930s. He was the last "public enemy" to be taken.-Early life:Karpis was born to Lithuanian immigrants in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and was raised in Topeka,...
, Fred Barker, Homer Van Meter
Homer Van Meter
Homer "Wayne" Van Meter was an American criminal and bank robber active in the early 20th century, most notably as a criminal associate of John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson.-Early life:...
, Bonnie Parker, Clyde Barrow, and Pretty-Boy Floyd.
Cast
According to IMDB the "cast" is listed as:- Jim DavisJim Davis (actor)Jim Davis was an American actor, best known for his role as Jock Ewing in the CBS prime-time soap Dallas, a role which he held up until his death in April 1981.-Biography:...
as Police Captain Stewart/Narrator - Lyle TalbotLyle TalbotLyle Talbot , born Lisle Henderson, was an American actor on stage and screen, best known for his long career in movies from 1931 to 1960 and for his frequent appearances on TV in the 1950s and '60s, including his decade-long role as Joe Randolph on television's The Adventures of Ozzie and...
as Dr. William Guellfe, Plastic Surgeon - Lash La RueLash La RueAlfred "Lash" LaRue was a popular western motion picture star of the 1940s and 1950s. He had exceptional skill with the bull whip, and taught Harrison Ford how to use a bullwhip in the Indiana Jones movies...
as 'Doc' Barker - Richard CraneRichard CraneRichard Crane was a veteran character actor whose career spanned three decades in films and television. His early career included many uncredited performances in feature films made in the 1940's. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the title role in the TV science fiction series Rocky...
as Homer Van Meter - Myron HealeyMyron HealeyMyron Daniel Healey was an American actor. He began his Hollywood, California, career during the early 1940s in bit parts and minor supporting roles at various studios.-Early years:...
as John Dillinger - Ann Morriss as Mildred Jaunce, The Lady in Red
- Sam EdwardsSam EdwardsSam Edwards was an American actor. His most famous role on TV was as the banker in the TV series Little House on the Prairie.-Biography:Born into a showbusiness family, his first role was as a baby in his mother's arms...
as Fred Barker - Paul Dubov as Alvin Karpis
- Baynes Barron as Clyde Barrow
- Tamar Cooper as Bonnie Parker
- Regina Gleason as Hope
- Knobby Schaeffer as Adam Richetti
- Jeanne CarmenJeanne CarmenJeanne Carmen was an American model, pin-up girl, trick-shot golfer, and B movie actress.-Early life and career:...
as Paula - Aline TowneAline TowneAline Towne born Fern Aline Eggen, also known as Fern Aline Waller, was an American film and television actress, best remembered for her lead roles in 1950s Republic serials, such as Radar Men from the Moon.Towne was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota.Towne appeared in dozens of roles on television, in...
as Shirley, Girl with Karpis - Doug Wilson as Charles Arthur 'Pretty Boy' Floyd
- Robert Kendall as Baby Face Nelson
- Jean Harvey as 'Ma' Barker
- Ralph MoodyRalph Moody (actor)Ralph Moody was an American actor with over 50 movie and over 100 television appearances.-External links:....
as Arthur 'Pa' Barker - Coulter Irwin as FBI Agent Ross Baxter
- Jeanne BatesJeanne BatesJeanne Bates was an American radio, film and television actress. She signed a contract with Columbia Pictures in 1942 which began her career in films both in bit parts and larger roles.-Career:...
as Mrs. Ross Baxter - Sydney Mason as Lieutenant Bill Baxter
- Bill Baldwin Sr as Special Agent Fenton/Narrator
- Captain Frank Hamer as Texas Ranger
- Sam Flint as FBI Chief
- Florence LakeFlorence LakeFor the reservoir in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, see Florence Lake .Florence Lake was an American actress best known as the leading lady in most of the Edgar Kennedy comedy shorts.-Early life:In the early 1900s, her father and uncle toured with a circus in an aerial act known as...
as Bessie, the Landlady - Russ Whitney as Verne Miller
- Helen Van Tuyl as Texas Lady Governor
- Hank PattersonHank PattersonHank Patterson was an American actor and musician. He is most known for playing stableman Hank Miller on Gunsmoke and Fred Ziffel on Petticoat Junction and Green Acres....
as Scully Wass (Farmer) - Robert BiceRobert BiceRobert Bice , was an American television and film actor. Bice was born in Dallas, Texas, United States.-Career:Bice appeared in 199 films and television programs between 1943 and 1967...
as FBI Agent Tyler - Percy HeltonPercy HeltonPercy Helton was an American film and television actor.One of his most memorable supporting roles was playing a drunken Santa Claus in Miracle on 34th Street. He also appeared in small but memorable roles in Criss Cross , The Set-Up , Kiss Me Deadly and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid...
as Pool Room Proprietor - Scott Douglas as FBI Agent Clifton
- William BoyettWilliam BoyettWilliam Boyett was an American actor best known for his work as the low-key but authoritative Sergeant William 'Mac' MacDonald on the police drama Adam-12...
as FBI Agent on Pier - Ray Boyle as Raymond Hamilton
- Texas Joe Foster as Tony Milento
- Joseph J. Greene as Arthur Troser
- Darlene Fields as Connie, Dillinger's Girl
- Dick Foote as Prison Trustee
- Billy Griffith as Bucher
- Robert Vanselow as John Hamilton
- Glenn Holden as Dillinger's Jail Guard
- Harold 'Tommy' Hart as Garageman
- Smoki Whitfield as The Bootblack