The Blue Dahlia (1946)

Director:

George Marshall

Writer:

Raymond Chandler (written by)

Release Date:

19 April 1946 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Tamed by a brunette - framed by a blonde - blamed by the cops!

Plot:

An ex-bomber pilot is suspected of murdering his unfaithful wife.

Plot Keywords:

Pilot | Nightclub | Nightclub Owner | Drunkenness | Unfaithful Wife

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Alan Ladd	...	Johnny Morrison - Lt.Cmdr., ret.
Veronica Lake	...	Joyce Harwood
William Bendix	...	Buzz Wanchek
Howard Da Silva	...	Eddie Harwood
Doris Dowling	...	Helen Morrison
Tom Powers	...	Capt. Hendrickson
Hugh Beaumont	...	George Copeland
Howard Freeman	...	Corelli - Motel Operator
Don Costello	...	Leo
Will Wright	...	'Dad' Newell
Frank Faylen	...	Man Recommending a Motel
Walter Sande	...	Heath - Gangster
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dick Elliott	...	Motor Court Owner (scenes deleted)
Milton Kibbee	...	Night Hotel Clerk (scenes deleted)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

UK:A | Norway:16 (1947) | Australia:M | Argentina:16 | Finland:(Banned) (1947-1953) | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #10874)

Filming Locations:

Encino, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Some sources erroneously include Harold J. Stone in an undetermined, uncredited minor role; Stone does not appear in this film in any capacity. At the time it was filmed (in Hollywood), he was in New York City appearing on the stage in a prominent role in "A Bell for Adano" (1944-1945).

Quotes:

Eddie Harwood: Half the cops in L.A. are looking for you.
Johnny Morrison: Only half?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

Soundtrack:

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive

Sizzling and sultry Lake film noir...

A follow-on from "The Glass Key", this film offers the familiar Lake, Ladd and Bendix combo in this Raymond Chandler written film noir. Not as dark as other Chandler scripts, or indeed as other film noirs of the time, it however seems more suited to the acting talents of Lake and Ladd. It offers them both a fine chance to shine, making you understand their star appeal of that era, although for Lake it was to be her last 'big' film. Lake, as in "Sullivan's Travels", looks especially radiant in Edith head costumes, with the art direction of Hans Drier placing and lighting her in sensitive and evocative moods.

A good film to watch to either expand your knowledge of the film noir genre,

bask in Lake's glow, or to simply enjoy on a lazy Sunday afternoon...a classic of its genre. 9/10.