Melvin Purvis G-MAN (1974), VHS coverError creating thumbnail: File missing The Legend of Machine Gun Kelly (1974), poster of alternate titleMelvin Purvis G-MAN Dillinger Dillinger , this film was written by John Milius , but directing duties were handled by Dan Curtis (The Winds of War ). Dale Robertson took over the role of Melvin Purvis from Ben Johnson , and continued to portray Purvis as a seasoned and almost regal law enforcement veteran, even though the real Purvis was only thirty years old the year this film was set. The film plays very fast and loose with the facts, starting in December of 1933, even though the real Machine Gun Kelly (Harris Yulin ) had been sentenced to life imprisonment in October of 1933. Dale Robertson would return as Melvin Purvis the following year in The Kansas City Massacre .
The following weapons were used in the film Melvin Purvis G-MAN :
Handguns Star Model B Like many films of the era, the Star Model B stands in for the M1911 . Almost all the characters use one at one point or another. Melvin Purvis (Dale Robertson ) is seen using a nickel-plated model, like in Dillinger
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Star Model B Pistol, blued finish - 9x19mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing Thomas "Buckwheat" Longaker (Elliott Street ) playfully aims a Star Model B at his brother Jim. Error creating thumbnail: File missing "Kate" Katherine Ryan-Kelly (Margaret Blye ) sticks her Star Model B in the face of Thatcher Covington (Dick Sargent ). Error creating thumbnail: File missing Thatcher Covington and Sam Cowley (Steve Kanaly ) open fire on the elder Longaker while Melvin Purvis (Dale Robertson ) takes cover. Notice that Cowley's pistol has jammed. Unlike many films which would ignore such a thing, Cowley actually takes a moment to clear the jam a second later. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Kate fires on FBI agents on a roof. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Purvis with Cowley's pistol. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Buckwheat surrenders his pistol. This shot shows the lack of a grip safety. Smith & Wesson Model 10 Charles "Charlie" Parlmetter (Matt Clark ) carries a Smith & Wesson Model 10 .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Smith & Wesson Model M&P Revolver with 5" Barrel - .38 Special Error creating thumbnail: File missing Charlie with his S&W 10 after "Gene" Eugene T. Farber (David Canary ) is shot. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Official Police One of the Tupelo cops opens fire with a Colt Official Police .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Official Police - 4" Barrel - .38 Special Error creating thumbnail: File missing The cop to the rear with the Official Police. Smith & Wesson Model 20 One of the Tupelo cops opens fire with a Smith & Wesson Model 20 .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Smith & Wesson Model 20 - .38/44 Error creating thumbnail: File missing The cop in the forefront with the S&W 20. Colt Single Action Army "Tony" Anthony Redecci (John Karlen ) is briefly seen with a Colt Single Action Army .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Single Action Army w/ 7.5" barrel known as the "Cavalry" model. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Shotguns Double Barreled Shotgun Numerous characters use Double Barreled Shotguns throughout the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing J. Stevens and Company Side by Side Shotgun (Circa 1878) exposed hammers and designed to fire Black Powder shotgun shells - 12 Gauge Error creating thumbnail: File missing Buckwheat with his shotgun over his shoulder. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The elder Longaker (Bob Pinson) opens fire with his shotgun. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Buckwheat reloads his shotgun. Winchester Model 1897 Numerous characters from both sides use Winchester Model 1897 shotguns throughout the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Winchester Model 1897 Riot Gun - 12 Gauge Error creating thumbnail: File missing "Tony" Anthony Redecci (John Karlen ) herds the kitchen staff with his shotgun. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Tony with his shotgun on Thatcher Covington. Error creating thumbnail: File missing An FBI agent cycling his shotgun. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Tony returning fire. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Kate holds a shotgun on Tony. Remington Model 870 Numerous characters from both sides use Remington Model 870 shotguns throughout the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Remington 870 Field Gun with raised barrel ribbing and 28" barrel - 12 Gauge Error creating thumbnail: File missing One of Buckwheat's friends fires upon the FBI. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A shot of the pump and tube nut as he goes down. Submachine Guns M1928 Thompson Numerous characters from both sides use M1928 Thompson submachine guns throughout the film. It's the "Machine Gun" in "Machine Gun Kelly" (Harris Yulin ).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1928 "Tommy Gun" or "Chicago typewriter" with 50-round drum magazine - .45 ACP Error creating thumbnail: File missing Machine Gun Kelly (Harris Yulin ) sprays a bank with his Thompson. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Kate with a Thompson. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Thatcher Covington casually handling a Thompson in Purvis' office. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Purvis chambers a round into his Thompson. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Kelly with a Thompson that has a 30-round box magazine instead of the drum magazine. Rifles/Carbines Winchester Model 1892 FBI agents and local law enforcement officers are armed with Winchester Model 1892 carbines.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Winchester 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine - .32WCF/.38-40/.44-40/.25-20. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The boy in the front row with a saddle carbine. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The saddle ring is visible in this shot as well. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A deputy fires on Kelly's car. M1903 Springfield A local deputy is seen with a M1903 Springfield . Another one is seen in a gun rack in Melvin Purvis' office.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Springfield M1903 Mk 1 - .30-06 Error creating thumbnail: File missing A deputy with his Springfield. Miscellanea Gun Rack Melvin Purvis has a gun rack in the office, which has two Thompsons, and yet still has a subordinate carry a disassembled Thompson in a briefcase for him.
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