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Movie: Machine Gun Kelly (1958)Charles Bronson, Susan Cabot, Morey Amsterdam Star in Gangster Film
Roger Corman's 1958 "B" movie Machine Gun Kelly dramatizes the life of the Depression-era gangster. Charles Bronson stars, with Susan Cabot, Morey Amsterdam in support.
George "Machine Gun" Kelly got the low-budget Hollywood treatment in 1958 courtesy director Roger Corman and American International Pictures. Charles Bronson -- in his first starring movie role -- portrayed the infamous gangster, with Susan Cabot as his tough, thrillseeking gun moll. Rat-a-tat-tat... Screenplay, Director, MusicR. Wright Campbell wrote the screenplay. Roger Corman, the so-called "King of the B Movies," produced and directed. Gerald Fried created the original music score. Machine Gun Kelly CastCharles Bronson (1921-2003) was a compromise choice to play the role of George "Machine Gun" Kelly. Writer R. Wright Campbell had lobbied for his brother, William Campbell, while Roger Corman wanted Dick Miller for the part. In order to avoid bruised feelings, Corman decided to go with Bronson as a neutral alternative. Other cast members included Susan Cabot (Florence "Flo" Becker), Morey Amsterdam (Michael Fandango), Richard Devon (Apple), Jack Lambert (Howard), Frank DeKova (Harry), Connie Gilchrist ("Ma" Becker), Wally Campo (Maize), Barboura Morris (Lynn Grayson), Lori Martin, under the name Dawn Menzer (Sherryl Vito) and Michael Fox (Detective Clinton). Co-star Susan Cabot (1927-1986) was later found bludgeoned to death in her Encino, California, home on December 10,1986. Her dwarf son, Timothy Scott Roman, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and received a three-year suspended sentence. Budget, FilmingMachine Gun Kelly was budgeted at a paltry $100,000. The movie, shot in Hollywood, took all of eight days to film. Rise and Fall of Machine Gun Kelly Machine Gun Kelly charts the rise and fall of the Depression-era gangster whose favored weapon of choice -- the Thompson submachine gun -- led to his colorful moniker. Kelly starts off as a small-time hood, but spurned on by his headline-hungry girlfriend soon rises to national prominence. On one job, Kelly and his gang knock over a bank for a cool 42 g's, with Kelly filling the hapless guard with hot lead from his smoldering "violin." A botched bank job leads to a falling out, with the vengeful Kelly wiping out several members of his own gang. Wanting to make the big score, Kelly kidnaps the nine-year-old daughter of a steel magnate, along with the girl's nurse. He then demands $100,000 for their safe return. The murderous Kelly, who harbors an abnormal fear of death, is eventually cornered by the law. But rather than shoot it out with his G-Men pursuers, this Public Enemy Number One opts to lay down his weapon and meekly surrender. Release, ReviewsMachine Gun Kelly -- with its colorful tagline "Without His Gun He Was Naked Yellow!" -- was released to theaters in May 1958. It was often paired with another gangster movie, The Bonnie Parker Story (1958), starring Dorothy Provine. "The real-life 'Machine Gun' Kelly was a clumsy, two-bit petty thief...The film version of Kelly's life alters the facts considerably: as played by Charles Bronson, 'Machine Gun' is a cold-blooded sadist who kills because he's sensitive about his height," writes Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide. Machine Gun Kelly -- which the real Kelly never had a chance to see as he died of a heart attack in Leavenworth on his 59th birthday on July 18, 1954 -- features plenty of action and psycho-drama. Also included is a scene where comedian Morey Amsterdam -- wisecracking Buddy Sorrell of The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-66) -- has his arm taken off by a mountain lion. Let's see the glib Buddy make a joke about that...
The copyright of the article Movie: Machine Gun Kelly (1958) in Biopic Dramas is owned by William J. Felchner. Permission to republish Movie: Machine Gun Kelly (1958) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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