Historic Photos

Movies: 70s

The promo still for The Grissom Gang (1971), a fictional reworking of the Ma Barker saga, puts a Hollywood-inspired “magical” mirror-finish on the front face of the Thompson’s “L” drum.
The promo still for the remake of Dillinger (1973) wins first prize for its artist’s rendering of the most dysfunctional Thompson ever to appear in print. Note the “L” drum, which bears more resemblance to the 71-round Russian PPSh41 drum! Note the blank adaptor protruding from the muzzle of the Model 1921A Colt Thompson.
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Movies: 60s

The Barrow gang from Bonnie and Clyde (1967), posing in front of their 1934 Ford roadster. Left to right: Gene Hackman as Clyde’s brother Buck Barrow, Estelle Parsons as his wife Blanche, Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow, Faye Dunaway as Bonnie Parker and Michael J. Pollard as the fictional composite C.W. Moss.
The Barrow gang from Bonnie and Clyde (1967), posing in front of their 1934 Ford roadster. Left to right: Gene Hackman as Clyde’s brother Buck Barrow, Estelle Parsons as his wife Blanche, Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow, Faye Dunaway as Bonnie Parker and Michael J. Pollard as the fictional composite C.W. Moss. For your movie collection … Bonnie and Clyde (1967) Bonnie and Clyde (1967) Rated: R Starring: Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, et al. Director: Arthur Penn Actors portraying Al Capone’s henchmen mow down seven rival mobsters in the remarkably factual The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967). Note the blank adaptor protruding from the muzzle of the Model 1921A Colt Thompson.
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Movies: 40s

Colored posters and artwork are among the least expensive and restrictive of collectible Thompson memorabilia, and the movies were a great source. This poster for a Dick Tracy serial dates from the early 1940s.
Loretta Young and Alan Ladd get ready to take on the Japanese Army in China (1943).
“You can carry it, just like a baby!” Paul Muni’s Tony Camonte extols in Scarface (1932), while henchman George Raft (right) fondles an “L” drum. Note the blank adaptor protruding from the muzzle of the Model 1921A Colt Thompson.
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Movies: 30s

“You can carry it, just like a baby!” Paul Muni’s Tony Camonte extols in Scarface (1932), while henchman George Raft (right) fondles an “L” drum. Note the blank adaptor protruding from the muzzle of the Model 1921A Colt Thompson.
James Cagney returns to form as Rocky Sullivan, a gangster with a heart of gold, in Angels with Dirty Faces (1938). Cagney came close to losing his life to a burst of Thompson fire in this film.
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British Army

British Home Guard in training with the Thompson. Note the pivot plate has been removed: the gun has no trigger parts installed. Imperial War Museum, photo no. H12418
British Tommys ready to open fire from their foxhole in Tunisia. Imperial War Museum, photo no. NA327
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Winston Churchill

Sir Winston Churchill in the famous 1940 pose with a drum-magazined model of 1928 Thompson. The British were the first to use the Thompson in combat in World War II. Imperial War Museum, photo no. H2646A
Sir Winston Churchill eyes the imposing .45 caliber muzzle of a Home Guard Thompson, 1940. Imperial War Museum, photo no. H2645
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Posters: British Army

The image of the Tommy gun was called upon to bolster the cause of freedom in England as well as in the U.S.A.: ” Britain’s new Airborne Army goes into action in Europe. Back Them Up!” U.S. National Archives, courtesy Robert Bruce
“A Motorcycle detachment of the British Army armed with “Tommy guns”. An excellent wartime chalk drawing by Roland Davies.
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