They Made Me a Killer is a 1946 American film noir crime film directed by William C. Thomas, and written by Daniel Mainwaring, Winston Miller and Kae Salkow, based on story by Owen Franes. It stars Barbara Britton and Robert Lowery, and marks the final screen appearance of Lola Lane. It was made by Pine-Thomas, the B-movie unit of Paramount Pictures.

They Made Me a Killer
Theatrical release poster
Directed byWilliam C. Thomas
Screenplay byDaniel Mainwaring (as Geoffrey Homes)
Winston Miller
Kae Salkow
Based onOwen Franes
Produced byWilliam H. Pine
William C. Thomas
StarringRobert Lowery
Barbara Britton
CinematographyFred Jackman Jr.
Edited byHenry Adams
Music byAlexander Laszlo
Color processBlack and white
Production
company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • May 3, 1946 (1946-05-03) (U.S.)
Running time
64 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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After his brother is killed in an accident, Tom Durling quits his job and drives across country. He gives an attractive girl a ride and is subsequently forced at gun point to be the driver in a bank robbery. During the crime another innocent man, Steve Reynolds, is involved and killed in the escape. After a high-speed chase, the car crashes and Durling is knocked unconscious. The bandits get away, the police arrest Durling and refuse to believe that he isn't one of the robbers.

Durling escapes the police then later teams with Reynolds' sister in an attempt to prove his innocence. The trail leads to a small roadside diner where the two end up finding the gang hiding out in the building's basement. They go undercover, she as a waitress and Durling joining the gang. In the end, they trick the criminals into confessing their crimes. Durling's reputation is saved, and the criminals, led by a Ma Barker-type mom, get shot up.

Cast

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