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Gun Crazy- Bonnie & Clyde


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Peggy Cummins, female star of 1950 movie Gun Crazy , dead at 92. This was loosely based on Bonnie & Clyde. I'm sure Mike Hammer can add to this, but an old classic. I've seen it multiple times. Used to have the poster to this movie, a double feature at the drive-in.

 

OCM

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Sandy, yes Cummins was a Welsh actress who made almost all her films in the UK. "Gun Crazy" is a must see for popcorn night. I have something from her in the collection but I can't seem to locate it at the moment.

 

And on the Bonnie & Clyde note, you will be interested to learn that a major motion picture on the subject will begin filming soon here in Louisiana. i hope to acquire a small part in it if I am able.

 

Netflix is preparing to shoot the Bonnie-and-Clyde crime drama "The Highwayman" in New Orleans, with Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner reportedly lined up to star in roles originally written for Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The long-gestating project, a feature film, is scheduled to shoot from Feb. 12 to April 10 in the Crescent City, according to paperwork filed by the production with the state film office.

Directed by John Lee Hancock ("The Blindside," "Saving Mr. Banks"), "The Highwaymen" will focus on two Texas rangers -- Frank Hamer and Manny Gault -- who helped put an end to the bloody Depression Era robbery spree of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow on May 23, 1934 in Bienville Parish.

It's just too bad that Newman is gone and Redford is too old to play the part, I was fortunate enough to spend a week on set with Newman about 30 yrs. ago, had a great time. I'm sure this upcoming film would have been really elevated with those two as the leads. It should be interesting non the less. i'll try to keep you posted.

Mike Hammer


 

 

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Outstanding.... You NEED to be in it. Yes PLEASE keep us posted.

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Here is some information on the ambush party that got Bonnie & Clyde including Hamer & Gault. I'm sure Sandy will be able to spot the inaccuracies in this particular description of the shooting. But it at least tells you something about the people involved.

 

https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/05/27/one-of-the-men-who-killed-bonnie-clyde-was-bonnies-secret-admirer/

 

In looking at the photo of Hamer & Gault, one can see a slight resemblance in Costner & Harrelson which I'm sure they will try to enhance with wardrobe and makeup.

 

Mike Hammer

Edited by Mike Hammer
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We did quite an extensive report on the ambush, in the 90s.( It's Death to Bonnie & Clyde). Visited the ambush site, took measurements, used an exact model Ford, as theirs with timed sequences and all, crawled all over the original death car and came up with the report that was published in a couple journals. However there is always some other versions and opinions on exactly what happened, we were very close tho, without the use of a Time machine. Doesn't seem to matter much anymore, long time ago, extremely fun research for us anyway.

Jim Knight's book, Bonnie & Clyde a Twenty First Century Update, has a good account of this with reference in the Endnotes about our report. Also the full report was published in the Oklahombres, On The Spot magazines, the Dallas Texas Century . In case you ask.

 

Mike am looking forward to seeing this, then YOU can start selling YOUR autograph ! Haaaaaaaaaaaa

 

OCM

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Here are Peggy Cummings and John Dall in their roles in Gun Crazy. I am not positive but it looks to me as if she has a Colt Official Police while Dall has a nickel S&W Military & Police. This was Cummings best remembered role, although at the time the film did not achieve much renown. Indeed, the contemporary reviewer in the NY Times called it "humdrum pulp fiction." Today, it enjoys cult status among some.

 

06cummins-obit1-master768.jpg

 

The theatrical poster.

 

7253172e536fd83508ef5081136e753f--guns-g

 

Regards,

Charlie

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without the use of a Time machine. Doesn't seem to matter much anymore, long time ago, extremely fun research for us anyway.

Sandy, I agree about the "Time Machine". I would love to have one and see what REALLY happened. Here are a some people who actually had a seat in the same time machine. Rod Taylor in the wonderful 1960 film version with the delectable Yvette Mimieaux, and a great author who sent us through time and space, Ray Bradbury

 

JPW43, your film classic, "Curse of The Demon", had not only Peggy Cummins, but also one of my favorites, Dana Andrews. He told me that he loved staying at the hotel "Dorchester" in London when he did this film. Really an underrated but exceptionally fine performer, starred several times with a lady I went gaga over, Gene Tierney , along with my pal Vinnie Price, ( I was a contributor on a book about him), seen here in one of my stills from "Laura"

 

Ok, get the popcorn ready and watch some of these outstanding flicks from yesterday, I know you will enjoy them!

 

Mike Hammer

Rod Taylor.jpg

Yvette M.jpg

Ray Bradbury.jpg

Laura.jpg

Gene Tierney.jpg

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Man, you always turn up the most interesting stuff, Mike. What a collection you must have. To roll over to another old classic movie, "Guns Don't Argue". When you watch this crazy film, you'll think someone spiked your popcorn with pot ! ( no, not, Refer Madness ) . The production, actors, props are unbelievable.... Unbelievable in a different way. Like to hear Mr. Hammer's comments on this one. I had the double feature drive- in poster for Killers All and Guns Don't argue.

 

NOTE: I may have the title of these two mixed up as It's been probably 25 years since I've seen them, correct me if I'm wrong, Mike or anyone.

The one I'm talking about has different gangsters in it, Ma Barker, Dillinger, Bonnie & Clyde all mixed up together- Use the same 40s Buick or Cadillac in all the scenes, over dramatic death scenes and killing, shot in what looks like a gravel pit. Totally insane !

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Unfortunately the only opportunity I had to see "Guns Don't Argue" was a year or two ago when they played it on either AMC or Turner Classic. I had to work but was going to DVR it but forgot to set my machine. They may never play it again. it was such a low budget production, the kind they rarely show on those stations anymore. I'll have to see if it's on DVD, (I kind of doubt it). I'm sure it would have been a riot to see it.

 

Mike Hammer

Guns Don't Argue.jpg

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Back in the 80s I think it was a TV movie came out with Rod Serling as the spokesman, I think it was The Last Days of Dillinger. I've mentioned Joe Pinkston from time to time, an old friend and the author of Dillinger A Short and Violent life, one of the best books on the subject.

Joe was cast as an extra in this program, in front of the Biograph. He's wearing a straw hat and accidentally runs into another extra, but just briefly right out front.

Bill Helmer borrowed the original studio tape from Joe and sent it to me. The tape was like 3" wide, odd thing. I had a copy made from that tape, still have it somewhere. All this chatter made me think of that, a actual video of Joe. Probably find it on YouTube these days

 

Spoke to soon, 1971 Appointment with Destiny, last days of John Dillinger. Just searched it, can play it on one of the Google search sights. Interesting little program, free to watch if interested.

Edited by OCM
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  • 1 month later...

Outstanding.... You NEED to be in it. Yes PLEASE keep us posted.

With the urging of our late friend Sandy Jones, I procured a part in "Highwaymen" with Kevin Costner, the film we had talked about a few weeks ago. So here you are Sandy, a few badly taken photographs, (it's kind of verboten to take photos on the set, I took some poor ones anyway). I played a G-Man in a huge set of body armor, (looked like Gort the robot in "The Day the Earth Stood Still).

Although made of fiberglass it was still kind of heavy, it had a hole in the front to poke a barrel of a gun out which you could barely see. So I suggested to the director that I could pull my arm of this contraption and wield a '21 Thompson instead. I was able to do it but the tommygun with drum was so heavy and only using one arm out to the side with no support I could only raise it for a short time.

Through numerous takes my right arm was fatigued and bruised but I think we got some nice footage. The scene is going to be a hoot.

Here's a picture of me in my G-man suit with the armor on the ground. A photo of Costner pointing and the director beside him. Some other behind the scenes photos.

The film is scheduled for release late this year, I know Sandy would have loved seeing it. This one's for you Pal.

Mike Hammer

Mike G-Man.jpg

Gort 2.jpg

Costner.jpg

Costner 2.jpg

Costner 3.jpg

Mike 28 Ford.jpg

The Highwaymen The Metal Man.jpg

Edited by Mike Hammer
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