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They Gave Him a Gun is a 1937 American crime drama film directed by W. S. Van Dyke and starring Spencer Tracy, Gladys George, and Franchot Tone. The picture bears a resemblance to later films noir in its dark theme regarding the struggles and failures of a man trying to take a criminal shortcut to the American dream. The screenplay was written by Cyril Hume, Richard Maibaum, and Maurice Rapf, based on the 1936 book of the same name by William J. Cowen.
Original Release
05/07/1937
US Release
05/07/1937
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Spencer Tracy | Fred P. Willis |
| Gladys George | Rose Duffy |
| Franchot Tone | James 'Jimmy' Davis |
| Edgar Dearing | Sgt. Meadowlark |
| Mary Treen | Saxe |
| Cliff Edwards | Laro |
| Charles Trowbridge | Judge |
| Ernie Alexander | Admiring Soldier |
| Hooper Atchley | Army Doctor |
| Irving Bacon | Tall Soldier |
Directors
Writers
William J. Cowen, Cyril Hume, Richard Maibaum, Maurice Rapf, Richard Boleslawski, James M. Cain, Jules Furthman
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Spencer Tracy | Fred P. Willis |
| Gladys George | Rose Duffy |
| Franchot Tone | James 'Jimmy' Davis |
| Edgar Dearing | Sgt. Meadowlark |
| Mary Treen | Saxe |
| Cliff Edwards | Laro |
| Charles Trowbridge | Judge |
| Ernie Alexander | Admiring Soldier |
| Hooper Atchley | Army Doctor |
| Irving Bacon | Tall Soldier |
| John Lucky Ball | Carnival sword swallower |
| Ward Bond | Military Policeman |
| Eugene Borden | French Captain Pinning Medals |
| Frank Bruno | Gangster in Court |
| Francis X. Bushman Jr. | Lieutenant |
| Ralph Byrd | Wounded Soldier |
| Thomas Carr | Aide |
| George Chandler | Taxi Driver |
| Albert D'Arno | German Machine Gunner |
| Edgar Edwards | Cpl. Butler |
Producers
| Name | Role |
|---|
| Harry Rapf | Producer |
