Two convicts break out of prison in 1936 to join a third on a long spree of bank robbing. The youngest of the three (Keith Carradine) falls in love along the way with a girl (Shelley Duvall) met at their hideout, the older man is a happy professional criminal with a romance of his own, the third is a fast lover and hard drinker fond of his work.
This is the second film that Keith Carradine and Shelley Duvall worked on together, the first being "McCabe and Mrs. Miller". They would work together again on "Nashville" and Duvall would appear in more Altman films than any other actor.
The film was based on the novel "Thieves Like Us" by Edward Anderson, which was also the source material for the "They Live by Night" (1949). Whether Altman was familiar with the older film or not is unclear, as he expressed a liking for the novel and had Joan Tewkesbury write a script based off it. There is no indication the older film had an influence at all.
In order to make this film, the studio required Altman to make a film about country music, which would become "Nashville". As some consider the latter his best work, they have Altman's dedication to this film to thank. Others may enjoy this more, as it is a bit more like his previous film, "The Long Goodbye", which is the other contender for Altman's best film.
This is the second film that Keith Carradine and Shelley Duvall worked on together, the first being "McCabe and Mrs. Miller". They would work together again on "Nashville" and Duvall would appear in more Altman films than any other actor.
The film was based on the novel "Thieves Like Us" by Edward Anderson, which was also the source material for the "They Live by Night" (1949). Whether Altman was familiar with the older film or not is unclear, as he expressed a liking for the novel and had Joan Tewkesbury write a script based off it. There is no indication the older film had an influence at all.
In order to make this film, the studio required Altman to make a film about country music, which would become "Nashville". As some consider the latter his best work, they have Altman's dedication to this film to thank. Others may enjoy this more, as it is a bit more like his previous film, "The Long Goodbye", which is the other contender for Altman's best film.