In the 1942 feature film This Gun for Hire, Alan Ladd was only a supporting actor. However, his performance as a cold, ruthless killer with a core of gentle sadness had an impact on audiences. Teamed with Veronica Lake, he became an immediate star and in the process, helped launch the age of film noir. Included in the program are excerpts from Alan Ladd's most notable films: This Gun for Hire, The Great Gatsby, and Shane.