Given the title Guns, Girls And Gangsters I was ready to trash even with what I thought was an interesting cast. But this independent film from United Artists turned out to be a lot better than I thought it would be given budget constraints.

Gerald Mohr is newly released from prison and he's got the germ of an idea for an armored car heist on the highway from Las Vegas to Los Angeles near the California/Nevada state line. It takes some split second timing and someone, namely him, who has to make a very accurate rifle shot.

It also depends on Mamie Van Doren checking into and occupying a room at a motel with a gas station and auto repair shop within feet of the spot picked by Mohr.

Mamie being Mamie has a lot of men interested in here, but they keep some distance because her husband Lee Van Cleef was Mohr's cellmate in the penitentiary is a most jealous type with a hair trigger. In fact the whole idea for the heist came from Van Cleef while he and Mohr were together in prison.

As in these films things that you can't plan for usually are what upsets the apple cart. In this case a jealous Van Cleef busts out of the joint with only three months left on his sentence.

Due to the nature of the plot Van Cleef only appears in the second half of the film. But when he comes on, he dominates. This is definitely one of his best early films.

The whole cast is outstanding. Mamie Van Doren always gives us something to look forward to. But Lee Van Cleef just totally steals Guns, Girls, And Gangsters.

Don't dismiss this one because of the exploitive title. This one is a real find.

Chuck Wheeler (Gerald Mohr) leaves prison and plans an armored truck robbery which is carrying money from a Las Vegas casino. He forcefully recruits night club singer Vi Victor (Mamie Van Doren),the wife of his possessive ex-cellmate Mike Bennett (Lee Van Cleef). Mike escapes right before the planned robbery and all hell breaks loose.

The first memorable visual is Mamie Van Doren with those pants. One expects a ball gown but no, it's pants. She's the definition of the blonde bombshell. It's a little bit of a grind for a small time until Lee Van Cleef comes crashing in on the party. It's no doubt a B-crime thriller but it's still a good fun little short movie.

"Guns, Girls, and Gangsters" not only has a great title, but this inexpensively made film works well for lovers of film noir. While it doesn't have all the great lighting and camera angles of some of the best noir, it does have a cold, nasty edge to it that makes it a standout picture.

When the film begins, Chuck Wheeler (Gerald Mohr) boldly approaches the nightclub singer, Vi Victor (Mamie Van Doren*) and insists she introduce him to her boss...a sophisticated hood. When I say insists, I pretty much mean he forces her with threats and intimidation. Why would Chuck take his life in his hands this way? After all, this boss ALSO is sweet on Vi. Well, it seems that Chuck and his cellmate in prison came up with a great plan to steal $2,000,000 and if they keep their heads, they'll all be rich.

Unfortunately, like almost all film noir movies, there is a glitch that gets in the way of this can't miss plan...that cellmate, Mike Bennett (Lee Van Cleef) escapes from prison. Mike is a sociopath and is mostly concerned with killing anyone who is involved with Vi- -even though she divorced him long ago. Without even bothering to find out what was going on, he starts killing folks! In fact, killing people is like eating potato chips with this guy...he can't stop at just one! So what is the clear-thinking and slick Chuck going to do? And, will this great plan STILL work?

I appreciated a lot about the film. Despite Mamie Van Doren, Gerald Mohr and Lee Van Cleef all being B or C-list actors, they are all excellent and very convincing. Additionally, the script is very tough and gritty. An exciting little film...one not to be missed by noir nuts like me!

*I have no idea HOW she's done it, but I've seen recent pictures of Miss Van Doren. Despite her age, she is incredibly sexy and not the least bit apprehensive about posing in the nude. Heck, most 30 year-olds would be thrilled to have a body like hers....and I can only assume she has some sort of Dorian Gray sort of pact with the Devil that allows her to be so timeless.