Veronica Lake, This Gun for Hire
Beautiful Veronica Lake was born on November 14, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York. Veronica is one of those actresses who I, personally, believe doesn’t get enough credit. She is, sadly, remembered most for her iconic hairstyle and (among those of us who are film historians.. immersing ourselves in details) for her personal demons, mental illness and the demon that almost always chased it, alcoholism.
She was so much more, though, and we should all start focusing on that.
Veronica Lake Alan Ladd, This Gun for Hire
Veronica starred in some of the best film-noirs ever made, alongside Alan Ladd.
They starred in four film-noirs together:
- This Gun for Hire (1942)
- The Glass Key (1942)
- The Blue Dahlia (1946)
- Saigon (1948)
They also both appeared in the 1942 extravaganza Star Spangled Rhythm.
My personal favorite Veronica Lake movie, however, is I Married a Witch. The FUN movie is hilarious and really showcases a lighter side of Veronica. The fact that it is, far and above my favorite may have a little to do with me simply wanting to remember her smiling, mischievous, and bewitchingly happy. If that’s the case, mission accomplished because when I think of Veronica Lake, I think of the beauty below… and I’m very much okay with that.
Veronica Lake