The Black Dahlia (2006)

Director:

Brian De Palma

Writers (WGA):

Josh Friedman (screenplay)
James Ellroy (novel)

Release Date:

15 September 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Inspired by the most notorious unsolved murder in California history.

Plot:

Two policemen see their personal and professional lives fall apart in the wake of the "Black Dahlia" murder investigation.

Plot Keywords:

Black Dahlia | Death | Murder | Corpse | Boxer

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 6 nominations

Cast

Josh Hartnett	...	Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert
Scarlett Johansson	...	Kay Lake
Aaron Eckhart	...	Lee Blanchard
Hilary Swank	...	Madeleine Linscott
Mia Kirshner	...	Elizabeth Short
Mike Starr	...	Det. Russ Millard
Fiona Shaw	...	Ramona Linscott
Patrick Fischler	...	Deputy DA Ellis Loew
James Otis	...	Dolph Bleichert
John Kavanagh	...	Emmett Linscott
Troy Evans	...	Chief Ted Green
Anthony Russell	...	Morrie Friedman
Pepe Serna	...	Tomas Dos Santos
Angus MacInnes	...	Capt. John Tierney (as Angus MacInnis)
Rachel Miner	...	Martha Linscott
Victor McGuire	...	Sgt. Bill Koenig
Gregg Henry	...	Pete Lukins
Jemima Rooper	...	Lorna Mertz
Rose McGowan	...	Sheryl Saddon
Dan Ponce	...	Mp
Graham Norris	...	Cop
Mike O'Connell	...	Shore Patrol
Michael P. Flannigan	...	Desk Officer (as Michael Flannigan)
John Solari	...	Baxter Fitch
Stephanie L. Moore	...	Baxter Fitch's Girlfriend
Noel Arthur	...	Gunman #1
Todd Thomas	...	Gunman #2
Steve Eastin	...	Detective
Ian McNeice	...	Coroner
Claudia Katz	...	Frolic Bartender
Mia Frye	...	Laverne Bartender
Richard Brake	...	Bobby DeWitt
William Finley	...	George Tilden (as Bill Finley)
Joost Scholte	...	Madeleine's GI
Fatso-Fasano	...	Dealer (as Fatso Fasano)
Teo	...	Friedman's Tough Guy #1
Kiril Efremov	...	Friedman's Tough Guy #2 (as Kiril Eframov)
Petar Milchev	...	Perp
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Brian De Palma	...	Elizabeth's Screen Test Director (voice) (uncredited)
Kevin Dunn	...	Elizabeth Short's Father (uncredited)
k.d. lang	...	Lesbian Bar Singer (uncredited)
David Raibon	...	Black Man (uncredited)

Directed by
Brian De Palma

Writing credits (WGA)
Josh Friedman		(screenplay)
James Ellroy		(novel)

Produced by
Rudy Cohen	....	producer
Boaz Davidson	....	executive producer
Rolf Deyhle	....	executive producer
Moshe Diamant	....	producer
Danny Dimbort	....	executive producer
Michael P. Flannigan	....	line producer
Samuel Hadida	....	co-executive producer
Victor Hadida	....	co-executive producer
James B. Harris	....	executive producer
Manfred D. Heid	....	co-executive producer (as Manfred Heid)
Henrik Huydts	....	executive producer
Jochen Kamlah	....	co-executive producer
John J. Kelly	....	line producer: USA
Jordan Kessler	....	associate producer
Gerd Koechlin	....	co-executive producer
Josef Lautenschlager	....	executive producer
Avi Lerner	....	producer
Art Linson	....	producer
Trevor Short	....	executive producer
Andreas Thiesmeyer	....	executive producer
John Thompson	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Mark Isham

Cinematography by
Vilmos Zsigmond

Film Editing by
Bill Pankow

Casting by
Lucy Boulting
Johanna Ray
Razzauti Teresa

Production Design by
Dante Ferretti

Art Direction by
Christopher Tandon

Costume Design by
Jenny Beavan

Makeup Department
Terry Baliel	....	assistant hair stylist: Los Angeles
Rosica Canovska	....	key hair stylist: Bulgaria
Bonnie Clevering	....	hair stylist: Ms. Swank, Bulgaria
Bonnie Clevering	....	hair stylist: Ms. Swank, Los Angeles
Katalin Elek	....	assistant makeup artist: Los Angeles
Zoltan Elek	....	key makeup artist: Bulgaria
Ed French	....	special effects makeup artist: Bulgaria (as Ed Franch)
Elisabeth Fry	....	hair stylist: Mr. Eckhart, Bulgaria
Elisabeth Fry	....	hair stylist: Mr. Eckhart, Los Angeles
Elisabeth Fry	....	makeup artist: Mr. Eckhart, Bulgaria
Elisabeth Fry	....	makeup artist: Mr. Eckhart, Los Angeles
Rick Glassman	....	dental special effects: Mr. Harnett (as Dr. Rick Glassman)
Sofi Hvarleva	....	makeup artist: Bulgaria (as Sofi Hvurleva)
Ivon Ivanova	....	makeup artist: Bulgaria
Violeta Lazarova	....	makeup artist: Bulgaria
Barbara Olvera	....	hair stylist: Ms. Johansson, Bulgaria
Barbara Olvera	....	hair stylist: Ms. Johansson, Los Angeles
Carol Pershing	....	key hair stylist: Los Angeles
Margarita Pidgeon	....	assistant hair stylist: L.A. unit
Atanaska Popova	....	makeup artist: Bulgaria
Morag Ross	....	makeup artist: Ms. Swank, Bulgaria
Morag Ross	....	makeup artist: Ms. Swank, Los Angeles
Dimitrina Stoyanova	....	makeup artist: Bulgaria (as Didi Stoyanova)
Heba Thorisdottir	....	makeup artist: Ms. Johansson, Bulgaria
Heba Thorisdottir	....	makeup artist: Ms. Johansson, Los Angeles

Production Management
Scott E. Chester	....	production supervisor: Los Angeles (as Scott Chester)
Elie Cohn	....	unit production manager
John J. Kelly	....	unit production manager
Sarah Parker	....	post-production supervisor
Iliya Sotirov	....	unit production manager: Bulgaria

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Anne Berger	....	second assistant director (as Anne M. Berger)
M.C. 'Max' Berryhill	....	additional second assistant director (as Maria C. Berryhill)
Kiril Dimitrov	....	assistant director: set
Lucy Egerton	....	second second assistant director: Bulgaria (as Lucinda Egerton)
Mark Egerton	....	first assistant director: Bulgaria
Mark Egerton	....	first assistant director: Los Angeles
Petya Evtimova	....	second assistant director: Bulgaria
Peter Mechkoff	....	first assistant director: Bulgaria (as Petar Mechkov)
Marc Newland	....	second second assistant director
Kalina Krasteva	....	trainee assistant director: Bulgaria (uncredited)
Nanyo Minchev	....	third assistant director: Bulgaria (uncredited)

Art Department
Ruben Abacara	....	swing: Los Angeles (as Ruben Abarca)
Katie Abiad	....	art department
Timothy D. Ackers	....	stand-by painter: Los Angeles
Miroslav Angelov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Petko Angelov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Gianni Angler	....	construction manager: Bulgaria (as Giovanni Angler)
Marian Asande	....	greens: Bulgaria
Luba Atanasova	....	artist: Bulgaria
Peter Atanasov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Grigor Bankov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Chris Barnes	....	lead painter: Los Angeles
Pier Luigi Basile	....	art director: Bulgaria
Brian Berkel	....	general foreman: Los Angeles
Victor Bikarski	....	construction: Bulgaria (as Viktor Bikarsky)
Bogomil Blagoev	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Miglena Bogdanova	....	artist: Bulgaria
Simeon Bonev	....	set dresser: Bulgaria (as Simeon Boev)
Kes Bonnet	....	assistant art director
Ivan Borushev	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Stoyan Boyadjiev	....	upholsterer: Bulgaria (as Stoyan Boyadzhiev)
Asen Bozilov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Simone Braguglia	....	art department assistant
Jesse Brown	....	foreman propmaker: Los Angeles (as Jesse J. Brown)
Dirk Buchmann	....	property master: Bulgaria
Dirk Buchmann	....	property master: Los Angeles
David T. Cannon	....	construction coordinator: Los Angeles
Jamie Castalando	....	on-set greens: Los Angeles
Alessandro Cedoloni	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Angel Chaushev	....	construction: Bulgaria
Angela Cimarusti	....	painter gang boss: Los Angeles
Giulia Chiara Crugnola	....	draftperson: Bulgaria (as Chiara Crugnola)
Nikolai Dikov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria (as Niki Dikov)
Georgi Dimitrov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Pavel Dimitrov	....	construction buyer: Bulgaria
Dimo Dimov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Kiril Dimov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Vittorio di Perzio	....	artist: Bulgaria
Maria Doicheva	....	artist: Bulgaria
Svetozar Doichev	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Michael S. Duncan	....	art production assistant: Los Angeles
Emil Evtimov	....	greens: Bulgaria
Bojidar Evtov	....	construction: Bulgaria (as Bogidar Eftov)
Roberta Federico	....	draftperson: Bulgaria (as Roberta Frederica)
Evgeni Genchev	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Boyan Georgiev	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Ivalo Georgiev Ivanov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Zamen Georgiev	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Ventsislav Gergov	....	construction: Bulgaria (as Gergov Vencislav)
Petar Gochev	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Borislav Golev	....	construction: Bulgaria
Jorn Goller	....	greens gang boss: Bulgaria
Elli Griff	....	set decorator: Bulgaria (as Eli Griff)
Vasil Grigorov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Anna Hadzhieva	....	art department coordinator: Bulgaria
Irina Hadzhieva	....	art department coordinator: Bulgaria (as Irra Clarckson)
Elizabeth Hart	....	painter: Los Angeles
Roger Holden	....	head of greenery: Bulgaria
Ani Hristova	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Plamen Hristov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Veselin Hristov	....	artist: Bulgaria
Todor Ignatov	....	artist: Bulgaria
Georgi Iliev	....	construction: Bulgaria
Peter Iliev	....	sculptor: Bulgaria (as Petar Iliev)
Sashko Iliev	....	art department buyer: Bulgaria (as Sacho Iliev)
Daniel Ilioaia	....	greens: Bulgaria
Todor Ilkov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Ivo Ivanov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria (as Ivo K. Ivanov)
Martin Ivanov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Pavel Ivanov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Petko Ivanov	....	construction buyer: Bulgaria
Simeon Ivanov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Stoyan Ivanov	....	greens: Bulgaria
Vasil Ivanov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Bob Johnson	....	assistant property master: Los Angeles
Raiko Kamenski	....	construction: Bulgaria (as Rayko Kamensky)
Alexei Karagyaur	....	graphic designer: Bulgaria (as Alexey Karagyaur)
Nikolai Katerinov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Richie Kawamoto	....	set decoration coordinator
Georgi Kirajhski	....	greens: Bulgaria
Hristo Kirilov	....	artist: Bulgaria
Lenko Kirov	....	artist: Bulgaria
Mihail Kitanov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria (as Mihal Katinov)
Georgi Kodzhabashiyski	....	artist: Bulgaria
Vasil Konakchiev	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Tanko Koprinkov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Nedelcho Kostadinov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Alexander Kotsev	....	art department buyer: Bulgaria (as Alexandro Kotzev)
Jasen Kovachev	....	set dresser
Todor Lambov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria (as Todor Lamboy)
Venzislav Lilov	....	set dresser buyer: Bulgaria (as Ventsislav Lilov)
Kim Lincoln	....	graphic designer: Los Angeles
Dan Lora	....	construction medic: Los Angeles
Petar Lozanov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Petar Lozanov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Bruce L. Luizzi	....	shopper: Los Angeles (as Bruce Luizzi)
Vencislav Lukanov	....	upholsterer: Bulgaria (as Ventsislav Lukanov)
Buddy MacKett	....	construction manager: Bulgaria
Daniel Mango	....	greens: Bulgaria
Georgi Markov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Cynthia Martinez	....	greens: Los Angeles
William S. Maxwell III	....	leadman: Los Angeles (as Bill Maxwell)
John McElroy	....	on-set dresser: Los Angeles
Lubomir Milanov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Melody Miller	....	property master: Los Angeles
Mitio Mitev	....	assistant construction manager: Bulgaria
Valentin Mitev	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Desislava Mitova	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Krasimir Mitov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Valentina Mladenova	....	leadman: Bulgaria (as Valya Mladenova)
Rosen Mladenov	....	greens: Bulgaria
Racho Mliakov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Daniel Moga	....	greens: Bulgaria
Joanie Montoya	....	propmaker: Los Angeles (as Jose Montoya)
Carlton Moss	....	laborer: Los Angeles unit
Kolio Nachev	....	artist: Bulgaria
Ivanka Nenova	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Kostadin Nenov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Daniel Nikodimov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Valeri Nikodimov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Vasil Nikodimov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Nikolai Nikolaev Markov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Kalin Nikolov	....	assistant head of greenery: Bulgaria
Mladen Nikolov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Petar Nikolov Todorov	....	greens: Bulgaria
Veselin Nikolov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Stanoi Ninov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Ognyan Ognyanov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria (as Ognian Ognianov)
Aimee O'Shea	....	property assistant: pre-production, Los Angeles
Jeff Ostray	....	stand-by carpenter: Los Angeles
Mark Palmer	....	set dresser: Los Angeles
Krassimir Pashkulev	....	set dresser buyer: Bulgaria (as Krasimir Pashkulev)
Pavlin Pavlov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Dimiter Petkov	....	artist: Bulgaria (as Dimitar Petkov)
Ivan Petkov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Pietro Petri	....	assistant construction manager: Bulgaria
Antonio Petrov	....	greens: Bulgaria
Krasimir Petrov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Joe Pfaltzgraf	....	set dresser: Los Angeles
Sara Philpott	....	art department coordinator: Los Angeles
Ventsislav Popov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Vlado Popov	....	artist: Bulgaria
Yanko Popov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Detelin Rachev	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Peter Rakovski	....	stand-by props: Bulgaria (as Pepi Rakovski)
Mike Ramirez	....	stand-by carpenter: Los Angeles unit
Daniel Ross	....	art director: Los Angeles (as Dan Ross)
Nina Ruseva	....	shopper: Bulgaria
Phillip Ruvalcaba	....	labor foreman: Los Angeles
Greg Sanchez	....	laborer: Los Angeles
Alessandro Santucci	....	draftperson: Bulgaria (as Alexandro Santucci)
Bilyana Sapareva	....	assistant props: Bulgaria (as Biliana Sapareva)
Maksim Savchev	....	greens: Bulgaria
Sonya Savova	....	draftperson: Bulgaria
Stamen Savov	....	construction: Bulgaria
David Schoenbrun	....	assistant props: Los Angeles
Daniel Scurtescu	....	greens: Bulgaria
David Scurtescu	....	greens gang boss: Bulgaria
Luigi Sergianni	....	construction manager: Bulgaria
Metodi Sharkov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Emil Shmidt	....	signs: Bulgaria (as Emil Schmidt)
Rick Simpson	....	supervising set decorator
Lyubomir Sirakov	....	construction: Bulgaria (as Lubomir Sirakov)
Eleonora Slavkova	....	artist: Bulgaria
Dora Somova	....	stand-by props: Bulgaria
Nikolai Spasov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Kalin Stefanov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Rosen Stefanov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Danail Stoianov	....	artist: Bulgaria
Stefan Stoikov	....	greens: Bulgaria
Dimitar Stoilov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Yordan Stoyanov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Yuri Stoyanov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Strahil Strahilov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Hristo Taskov	....	greens: Bulgaria
Stefan Tassev	....	construction: Bulgaria (as Stefan Tasev)
Nadejda Tatarinova	....	artist: Bulgaria (as Nadya Tatarinova)
Benton E. Tedlie	....	gang boss: Los Angeles (as Benton Earl Tedlie)
Karen Teneyck	....	assistant art director
Karen Teneyck	....	graphic designer: Bulgaria
Kiril Teov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Ivano Todeschi	....	artist: Bulgaria
Slav Todorov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Tihomir Todorov	....	greens: Bulgaria
Teodor Tomov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Arta Tozzi	....	art department assistant
Rumen Trankolov	....	construction: Bulgaria
Zivko Trendafilov	....	artist: Bulgaria
Stoyan Tsakov	....	upholsterer: Bulgaria
Krasimir Vayov	....	construction: Bulgaria (as Krasimir Vajov)
Vladimir Vayov	....	construction: Bulgaria (as Vladimir Vajov)
Pedro Vides	....	propmaker: Los Angeles
Ray Yamagata	....	assistant art director
Ray Yamagata	....	assistant art director: Los Angeles
Miroslav Yankov Enev	....	greens: Bulgaria
Ivan Yankov Kirov	....	upholsterer: Bulgaria
Valeri Yankov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Yonko Yonchev	....	greens: Bulgaria
Dimitar Yonov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Evgeni Yordanov	....	set dresser: Bulgaria
Plamen Yosifov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Nikolai Yotov	....	sculptor: Bulgaria
Borislav Belberov	....	stand-by props: Bulgaria (uncredited)
Chris Samp	....	set painter: Los Angeles (uncredited)

Sound Department
Steve Baine	....	foley artist
Todd Beckett	....	sound re-recording mixer
Ethan Beigel	....	adr mixer
Derek Lee Bell	....	first assistant sound editor
Carlie Bergman	....	adr recordist
Scott Cannizzaro	....	narration recordist
Samuel Cohen	....	boom operator
Lee de Lang	....	sound effects editor (as Lee Delang)
Keith Elliott	....	sound re-recording mixer
Paula Fairfield	....	sound designer
Paula Fairfield	....	supervising sound editor
Jamie Gould	....	sound re-recording assistant
Gina Gyles	....	foley assistant
Randall L. Johnson	....	boom operator: Los Angeles
Jeffrey P. Kloth	....	sound transfer
Lisa J. Levine	....	adr editor
Ross Levy	....	utility sound technician: Los Angeles
Jamie Lucas	....	sound re-recording assistant
Jean-Paul Mugel	....	sound mixer: Los Angeles
Carla Murray	....	sound effects designer
Carla Murray	....	sound effects editor
Douglas Murray	....	adr mixer
Tyler Parkinson	....	pre-record engineer
Peter Persaud	....	foley recordist
Jill Purdy	....	supervising dialogue & adr editor
Trent Richmond	....	sound assistant
Nathan Robitaille	....	sound effects editor
Steve Schatz	....	adr mixer
Douglas Shamburger	....	utility sound technician: Los Angeles
Paul P. Soucek	....	supervising sound editor: temp
Greg Steele	....	adr mixer
Ted Swanscott	....	adr mixer
Marilee Yorston	....	foley assistant
Greg Zimmerman	....	adr recordist
Mark Zsifkovits	....	sound re-recording mixer
Eric Rolnick	....	adr mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Dobril Kinov Andreev	....	special effects: Bulgaria
Willie Botha	....	special effects supervisor: Bulgaria
Orlin Budinov	....	special effects: Bulgaria (as Orlin Irchev Budinov)
John P. Cazin	....	special effects foreman: Los Angeles (as John Cazin)
Michael Clifford	....	pyrotechnic supervisor
Pavel Dimitrov	....	special effects buyer: Bulgaria (as Pavel Kirilov Dimitrov)
Stoycho Dimitrov	....	special effects crew (as Stoycho Tinkov Dimitrov)
Ekaterina Dineva	....	special effects assistant: Bulgaria
Letitsiya Dineva	....	special effects: Bulgaria (as Leticia Nikolova Dineva)
Kolio Guneshki	....	special effects: Bulgaria (as Kolio Todorov Guneshki)
Kevin Hannigan	....	special effects coordinator: USA
Ludmil Ivanov	....	special effects: Bulgaria (as Ludomil Tsvetan Ivanov)
Ivo Jivkov	....	special effects crew (as Ivo Emilov Zhirkov)
Georgi Karadjov	....	special effects: Bulgaria (as Georgi Rumenov Karadjov)
Flamen Getsgiev Kirchev	....	special effects: Bulgaria
Peter Kolev	....	special effects: Bulgaria (as Petar Ivanov Kolev)
Anatoli Malev	....	special effects: Bulgaria (as Anatoli Vasilev Malev)
Vasili Malev	....	special effects: Bulgaria (as Vasili Anatoliy Malev)
Ventsislav Todorov Malinov	....	special effects: Bulgaria
Emannil Vasilev Manslov	....	special effects: Bulgaria
Doncho Ivanov Maredanski	....	special effects: Bulgaria
Ludomil Veselinov Nikolov	....	special effects: Bulgaria
Simeon Nikolov	....	special effects: Bulgaria (as Simeon Ivanov Nikolov)
Atanas Peikov	....	special effects: Bulgaria (as Atanas Stgimenov Peikov)
Lyubomir Petrov	....	special effects: Bulgaria (as Lubomir Petrov)
Adelina Ilieva Rakovska	....	special effects: Bulgaria
Petar Georgiev Ralev	....	special effects: Bulgaria
Marten Ruskov	....	special effects crew (as Marten Georgiev Ruskov)
Rumen Fernelkov Sabev	....	special effects: Bulgaria
Anthony Simonaitis	....	special effects coordinator: Los Angeles
Vittorio Sodano	....	special effects makeup
Alexander Stoyanov	....	special effects: Bulgaria (as Alexander Dimetrov Stoyanov)
Ivan Tanev Stoyanov	....	special effects: Bulgaria
Nikola Dimitrov Sugerov	....	special effects: Bulgaria
Damyan Tzankov	....	special effects: Bulgaria (as Damyoun Tsankov)
Tzvetan Vasilev	....	special effects: Bulgaria (as Tsvetan Stefanov Vasilev)
Velislav Velev	....	pyrotechnician
Anton Dafinov Vrolazhiev	....	special effects: Bulgaria

Visual Effects by
Mandy Arnold	....	digital artist
Ryan Beadle	....	digital I/O
Steve Caldwell	....	digital compositor
Sam Dabbs	....	dustbuster
Dennis Dorney	....	digital lineup
Mark Dornfeld	....	visual effects supervisor
Michele Ferrone	....	visual effects producer
R.J. Harbour	....	digital compositor
Shaina Holmes	....	digital compositor
Shaina Holmes	....	digital coordinator
Nicholas Kim	....	digital compositor
Jeremy Lang	....	head of information technology: Custom Film Effects
Lori C. Miller	....	digital art supervisor (as Lori Miller)
Lillani E. Moran	....	visual effects coordinator
Laurie Powers	....	digital art supervisor
Mark Sawicki	....	digital colorist
Mark Sawicki	....	digital compositor
Mai Suzuki	....	digital restoration artist
Amani Williams	....	digital compositor
Linda Williams	....	digital intermediate editor
Diane Wright	....	digital asset manager: Laser Pacific
Diane Wright	....	producer: end credit animation, Steve Wright Digital FX
Steve Wright	....	titles: Steve Wright Digital FX

Stunts
Boyan Anev	....	stunts
Asen Asenov	....	stunts
Georgi Dimitrov	....	stunts
Ivailo Dimitrov	....	stunts
Dimiter Doichinov	....	stunts (as Dimitar Doychinov)
Dian Hristov	....	stunts
Gary Hymes	....	stunt coordinator
Radoslav Ignatov	....	stunts
Borislav Iliev	....	stunt double: Lee Blanchard
Borislav Iliev	....	stunts
Danko Jordanov	....	stunts (as Denko Yordanov)
George Karlukovski	....	stunt double: Bucky Bleichert (as Georgi Karlukovski)
Ivo Kehayov	....	stunts (as Ivo Kehaiov)
Kalin Kerin	....	stunt double: George Tilden
Kalin Kerin	....	stunts
Amir Khalighi	....	stunt coordinator
David Listvan	....	stunt rigger
Georgi Manchev	....	stunts
Krassimir Manov	....	stunts (as Krasimir Peshov)
Stilyan Mavrov	....	stunts (as Stilian Mavrov)
Trayan Milenov-Troy	....	stunts (as Trayan Milenov)
Radoslav Parvanov	....	stunts
Irina Pavlova	....	stunts
Velizar Peev	....	stunts
Rumen Petrov	....	stunts
Elitsa Rajeva	....	stunts
Paul Anthony Scott	....	stunt double: Aaron Eckhart
Krasimir Simeonov	....	stunts
Svilen Skerlev	....	stunts
Stanimir Stamatov	....	stunts (as Staminir Stamatov)
Georgi Stanislavov	....	stunts
Vencislav Stojanov	....	stunts (as Ventzislav Stoyanov)
Leo Stransky	....	stunt rigger (as Leos Stransky)
Teodor Tsolov	....	stunts (as Teodor Tzolov)
Emil Videv	....	stunts
Kaloian Vodenicharov	....	stunt coordinator: BG
Yordan Zahariev	....	key stunt rigger (as Jordan Zahariev-Dragon)
Yordan Zahariev	....	stunts (as Jordan Zahariev)
Dian Hristov	....	utility stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Hristo Aleksandrov	....	assistant camera: Bulgaria
Ivan Aleksandrov	....	grip: Bulgaria
Curtis A. Andrews Jr.	....	lamp operator: Los Angeles (as Curtis Andrews)
Mihail Apostolov	....	grip: Bulgaria
Kirk Bloom	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera, Los Angeles
Miroslav Borisov	....	grip: Bulgaria
Brad Boyer	....	grip: Los Angeles
Erik L. Brown	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera and Steadicam, Los Angeles
Alexander Bscheidl	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Fiodr Canovsky	....	rigging crew: Bulgaria (as Fiodor Canovski)
Ross W. Clarkson	....	camera operator: "b" camera, Bulgaria (as Ross Clarckson)
Dick Deats	....	key grip: Los Angeles (as Dicky Deats)
Jerry C. Deats	....	key rigging grip: Los Angeles (as Jerry Deats)
Shanon Deats	....	grip: Los Angeles (as Shannon Deats)
Sean Devine	....	dolly grip: "a" camera, Los Angeles
Spiro Dichev	....	grip: Bulgaria
Tulio Duenas	....	film loader: Los Angeles
Hristo Elandjiev	....	electrician: Bulgaria (as Hristo Elangiev)
Filip Filipov	....	grip: Bulgaria
John Garrett	....	film loader: Los Angeles
Antonio V. Garrido	....	crane technician: Los Angeles (as Tony Garrido)
Stoyan Georgiev	....	grip: Bulgaria (as Stoyan H. Georgiev)
Nimi Getter	....	gaffer: Bulgaria
Barry Gross	....	lamp operator: Los Angeles
Michael Guthrie	....	grip: Los Angeles (as Mike Guthrie)
Lyubomir Hristoskov	....	best boy grip: Bulgaria (as Lubo Hristoskov)
Rumen Idakiev	....	electrician: Bulgaria
Krasi Iliev	....	rigging crew: Bulgaria (as Krasimir Iliev)
Ivailo Ivanov	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera (as Ivalo Ivanov)
Robert Jason	....	gaffer: Los Angeles (as Bob Jason)
Frank R. Jimenez Jr.	....	lamp operator: Los Angeles (as Frankie Jimenez)
Jeffrey A. Johnson	....	best boy grip: Los Angeles (as Jeffrey 'J.J.' Johnson)
Rolf Konow	....	still photographer: Bulgaria (as Rolph Konow)
Ivailo Kostov	....	electrician: Bulgaria
Todor Kostov	....	electrician: Bulgaria
Tsvetan Kostov	....	grip
Jordan Lapsansky	....	best boy electric: Los Angeles
Jason Leeds	....	lamp operator: Los Angeles
Gabriel J. Lewis	....	electrician: Los Angeles
Manol Manolov	....	grip: Bulgaria
Larry McConkey	....	camera operator: Los Angeles
Neven Mihailova	....	camera operator: "c" camera: Bulgaria
George Mihailov	....	best boy electric: Bulgaria (as Georgi Mihailov)
Nikolai Mihailov	....	electrician: Bulgaria (as Niki Mihailov)
Merrick Morton	....	still photographer: Los Angeles
Gaylen Nebeker	....	video assistant: Los Angeles (as Gaylen H. Nebeker)
Georgi Petkov	....	grip: Bulgaria
Radoslav Petkov	....	video assistant: Bulgaria
Pavel Proisl	....	dolly grip: Bulgaria
Daniel R. Purinton	....	rigging best boy electric: Los Angeles (as Dan Purington)
Patrick G. Ralston	....	lamp operator: Los Angeles (as Pat Ralston)
Rod Robertson	....	lamp operator: Los Angeles
Robin Roberts	....	dolly grip: "b" camera, Los Angeles
Shimon Sabbah	....	key grip: Bulgaria
Paul Santoni	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera, Los Angeles
Ron Santoyo	....	grip: Los Angeles
Frank Scheidbach	....	rigging gaffer: Los Angeles
Jaromir Sedina	....	Steadicam operator: Bulgaria
Jaromir Sedina	....	camera operator: "a" camera, Bulgaria
Plamen Soklev	....	electrician: Bulgaria
Venelin Stepanov	....	grip: Bulgaria
Miroslav Stoilov	....	first assistant camera: "c" camera
Alexandre Szabo-Fresnais	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Joseph D. Urbanczyk	....	camera operator: "a" camera, Los Angeles (as Joseph Urbanczyk)
Stefan Vladimirov	....	grip: Bulgaria
Scott Watkins	....	best boy rigging grip: Los Angeles
Michael D. Weldon	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera, Los Angeles (as Mike Weldon)
Teodor Yordanov	....	electrician: Bulgaria
Yavor Zahariev	....	rigging crew: Bulgaria
Borislav Zlatinov	....	loader: Bulgaria (as Borislav Zlatanov)

Casting Department
Jennifer Bender	....	extras casting: additional photography
Chad Darnell	....	extras casting: Los Angeles
Sandy Holt	....	adr voice casting
Jenny Jue	....	assistant casting: Los Angeles
Reg Poerscout-Edgerton	....	casting associate: UK
Cindy Sciacca	....	extras casting: Los Angeles

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Marisa Aboitiz	....	costume supervisor: Los Angeles
Sonya Despotova	....	wardrobe supervisor: Bulgaria
Ed Fincher	....	set costumer: Los Angeles (as N. Edward Fincher)
Ani Gelinova	....	additional wardrobe assistant
Didi Georgieva	....	on-set costumer: Bulgaria
Amy Glenn	....	store clerk: Los Angeles
Monica Haynes-Nino	....	costumer: Los Angeles (as Monica Haynes)
Robert Iannaccone	....	costumer: Los Angeles (as Bob Iannaccone)
Irena Maximova Kirkova	....	on-set costumer: Bulgaria (as Irena Maksimova)
Jill Korengold	....	set costumer: Los Angeles
Joe Kowalewski	....	assistant costume supervisor (as Josef Kowalewski)
Yoanna Kraeva	....	wardrobe interpreter: Bulgaria (as Yoana Kraeva)
Charlotte Law	....	assistant costume designer
Jane Law	....	principle costume maker
Unchin Lee	....	costumer: Los Angeles
Marina Maximova	....	on-set costumer: Bulgaria
Stephen Miles	....	costume maker
Mustapha Mimis	....	costumer
David Otzen	....	assistant costumer
Tsvetana Pekanova	....	wardrobe laundress: Bulgaria (as Tzvetanka Pekanova)
Atanaska Popova	....	on-set costumer: Bulgaria
Violeta Rusinova	....	on-set costumer: Bulgaria
Sunita Singh	....	costumer
Clare Spragge	....	wardrobe supervisor
Elita Taseva	....	on-set costumer: Bulgaria
Elitsa Taseva	....	set costumer
Jasmina Vasileva-Stoichkova	....	costumer: Bulgaria (as Jasmina Vasileva)
Jasmina Vasileva-Stoichkova	....	on-set costumer: Bulgaria (as Jasmina Vasileva)
Lizz Wolf	....	associate costume designer: Los Angeles
Ani Yotova	....	on-set costumer: Bulgaria
Anthony Almaraz	....	costumer (uncredited)
Amy Glenn	....	costumer: Los Angeles (uncredited)
Greg Turnbull	....	costume assistant (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Kyle DeVriendt	....	digital film recordist
Ryan Dorney	....	assistant editor
Amy Gillespie	....	editorial assistant
Mo Henry	....	negative cutter
Lara Johnston	....	associate editor
Candice Levy	....	post-production coordinator
Frank Roman	....	digital preview colorist
Mike Sowa	....	digital intermediate color timer
Neri Nazzareno	....	colorist: Rome's Telecine (uncredited)
Todor G. Todorov	....	colorist: dailies (uncredited)

Music Department
Selena Arizanovic	....	music coordinator
Ramiro Belgardt	....	music editor
Frank Bennett	....	orchestrator
Brad Dechter	....	supervising orchestrator
Isobel Griffiths	....	orchestra contractor
Dave Hage	....	music preparation
Richard Lancaster	....	music recording assistant
Ashley Miller	....	executive soundtrack producer
Ashley Miller	....	music supervisor
Kathy Nelson	....	executive in charge of music
Cindy O'Connor	....	assistant to composer
Cindy O'Connor	....	composer: additional music
Tyler Parkinson	....	electronic pre-recordist
Simon Rhodes	....	music scoring mixer
James Shearman	....	conductor
Ian Stickland	....	music recording assistant
Mike Watts	....	orchestrator
Gavyn Wright	....	orchestra leader

Transportation Department
Emil Alexiev	....	driver: Ms. Johansson, Bulgaria
Georgy 'Joro' Angelov	....	driver: Bulgaria (as George Angelov)
Niki Asenov	....	driver: Bulgaria
Ivaylo Avramov	....	driver. Mr. De Palma (as Ivo Avramov)
Asi Avrimov	....	driver: Bulgaria
John W. Barbee	....	transportation coordinator: Los Angeles (as John Barbee)
Cecil Barber	....	driver: Los Angeles
Phil Blackaby	....	driver: Los Angeles
Milen Bojichkov	....	driver: Mr. Hartnett, Bulgaria (as Milen Bojichov)
Roger A. Byrd Jr.	....	driver: Los Angeles (as Roger Byrd)
Linda Cipperley	....	driver: Los Angeles
Reed Cohan	....	driver: Los Angeles
Eric Compton	....	driver: Los Angeles (as Buck Compton)
William M. DeLuca	....	driver: Los Angeles (as Bill DeLuca)
Peter Detoffoli	....	driver: Los Angeles
Stefan Dinev	....	driver: Bulgaria
Nikolai Dulev	....	generator driver: Bulgaria
Lubomir Evtimov	....	driver: Bulgaria
George Gowing	....	driver: Los Angeles (as George Cowing)
Jeffrey Gowing	....	picture car coordinator: Los Angeles
Mike Gregorio	....	driver: Los Angeles (as Mike Gregoria)
Sandy Hinkle	....	driver: Los Angeles
William Hogue	....	driver: Los Angeles (as Bill Hogue)
Scott Howard	....	driver: Los Angeles
Hristiyan Hristov	....	driver: Bulgaria (as Kristian Hristov)
Margot Hunter	....	driver: Los Angeles
Pops Johnson	....	driver: Los Angeles (as Pops Johnston)
Ted Joneson	....	driver
Alan Kaminsky	....	driver: Los Angeles (as Al Kaminsky)
Veselin Karadjov	....	transportation organizer: Bulgaria (as Vesso Karadjov)
Bojidar Kostov	....	driver: Bulgaria
Ivo Krastev	....	transportation organizer: Bulgaria
Stefan Lalev	....	action vehicle coordinator: Bulgaria
William Lubin	....	driver: Los Angeles (as Will Lubin)
Richard Maginnis	....	driver: Los Angeles
Kim Magruder	....	driver: Los Angeles
Kosta Maslev	....	driver: Bulgaria
Nona Mason	....	driver: Los Angeles
Joe Meylor	....	driver: Los Angeles
Antonio Milenkov	....	driver: Mr. Ekhart, Bulgaria
Ivan Nikolov	....	driver: Bulgaria
Terry R. Owens	....	driver: Los Angeles (as Terry Owens)
Terry R. Owens	....	transportation co-captain: Los Angeles (as Terry Owens)
Georgi Patrikov	....	driver: Ms. Swank, Bulgaria
Jack Jay Reece	....	driver: generator, Los Angeles (as Jay Reece)
Shaun Ryan	....	transportation captain: Los Angeles
Lonnie Serabian	....	driver: Los Angeles
Simeon Simeonov	....	driver: Bulgaria
Lowell D. Smith	....	driver: Los Angeles (as Lowell Smith)
Paul Smith	....	driver: Los Angeles
George Sotirov	....	driver: Bulgaria
Gary Stamler	....	driver: Los Angeles
Georgi Stanchev	....	driver: Bulgaria (as George Stanchev)
Jim Sullivan	....	driver: Los Angeles
Steve Surabian	....	driver: Los Angeles (as Steve Serabian)
Zahari Todorov	....	driver: Bulgaria
Lyubo Tzvetkov	....	driver: Bulgaria (as Luben Tzvetkov)
Chip Vincent	....	driver: Los Angeles
Bob White	....	driver: Los Angeles
Tony Zane	....	driver: Los Angeles
Niki Zelev	....	driver: Bulgaria
Dragomir Zelyazkov	....	driver: Bulgaria

Other crew
Rachel Abarbanell	....	production liaison: Los Angeles
Gina Abatemarco	....	assistant: Mr. De Palma, Los Angeles
Guy Adan	....	publicity: Los Angeles
Emil Asenov	....	on-set assistant organizer: Bulgaria
Vladislav Asenov	....	on-set assistant organizer: Bulgaria
Angel Babarev	....	on-set assistant organizer: Bulgaria
Krasimir Balchov	....	on-set assistant organizer: Bulgaria
Scott Barry	....	stand-in: Los Angeles
Abby Bean	....	assistant: Mr. Linson, Los Angeles
Borislav Belberov	....	trainee
Yordan Bojich	....	mechanic: Bulgaria
Valeri Bojilchev	....	on-set assistant organizer: Bulgaria
Donald Bruce	....	controller: Nu Image, Los Angeles
Alisa Buckley	....	unit publicist
Amy Carroll	....	set production assistant: Los Angeles
Michael Chickey	....	assistant location manager: Los Angeles unit
Karen M. Cockrell	....	assistant accountant/payroll: Los Angeles (as Karen Cockrell)
Jeffrey H. Cohen	....	production accountant: Los Angeles
Maggie Cohn	....	assistant: Mr. De Palma, Los Angeles
Chris Cortijo	....	security: Los Angeles
Mark Cross	....	assistant production coordinator: Los Angeles
Damian Damianov	....	production assistant
Dayna Danika	....	production coordinator
Gerry De Leon	....	assistant to cast
William M. DeLuca	....	mechanic
Yanko Denkov Takiev	....	on-set assistant organizer: Bulgaria
David Diamond	....	location manager: Los Angeles unit
Carla DiBello	....	assistant: Mr. Lerner, Los Angeles
David Dilley	....	set production assistant: Los Angeles
Vladimir Dimitrov Dimitrov	....	on-set assistant organizer: Bulgaria
Barry Ennis	....	office production assistant: Los Angeles
Tania Esteves	....	production assistant: Bulgaria
Sue Field	....	script supervisor: Los Angeles
Claude Forest	....	insurance broker
Mia Frye	....	choreographer
Rosemary Gearheart	....	stand-in: Los Angeles (as Rosie Gearhart)
Gabriel Georgiev	....	location manager
Sammy Goldsmith	....	assistant: Mr. Cohen, Los Angeles
Eric Green	....	marketing and publicity
Janet Harold	....	assistant location manager: Los Angeles unit
Lauren M. Higgs	....	production secretary: Los Angeles
Lindsay Hudson	....	medic: Los Angeles
Veselin Ilov	....	on-set assistant organizer: Bulgaria
Roy G. Irwin	....	medic: Los Angeles (as Roy Irwin)
Lynn Johnson	....	set medic: Los Angeles
Ivor Kiralov	....	on-set assistant organizer: Bulgaria
Galina Kitanova	....	personal assistant to actor
Ralitsa Koprinska	....	production assistant: Bulgaria
Kalina Kottas	....	production accountant
Krastio I. Krastev	....	on-set assistant organizer: Bulgaria
Ashley Kravitz	....	script clearance
Michele LaBrucherie	....	set production assistant: Los Angeles (as Michelle La Brucherie)
Ashifa Lalani	....	assistant accountant: UK
Erin Lander	....	adr loop group
Pattie Langell	....	stand-in: Los Angeles
Michael Levinson	....	office production assistant: Los Angeles
Tzanko Matchukliski	....	location assistant: Bulgaria
Franka Mavrides	....	set production assistant: Los Angeles
Steve Michaelson	....	catering: Los Angeles
Plamen Milanov	....	on set organizer: Bulgaria
Carolyn Miller	....	assistant: Mr. Linson, Los Angeles
Lori C. Miller	....	title designer
Ilene Morgan	....	post-production accountant
Scott Mosher	....	assistant location manager: Los Angeles unit
Naomi Motohashi	....	assistant location manager: Los Angeles unit
Ben Nedivi	....	assistant: Mr. Davidson, Los Angeles
Rosen Nikolov	....	location assistant: Bulgaria (as Rocco Nikolov)
Michael Olajide Jr.	....	technical consultant: boxing (as Michael Olajide)
Matthew O'Toole	....	production accountant
Dimitar Petrov	....	on-set assistant organizer: Bulgaria
Violeta Piperevska	....	assistant production coordinator: Bulgaria
Jeff Pogue	....	office production assistant: Los Angeles
James Portolese	....	assistant: Mr. Diamant, Los Angeles
James Portolese	....	production coordinator
Susan Pusateri	....	assistant: Avi Lerner (as Sue Pusateri)
Nancy Pyne-Hapke	....	studio teacher: Los Angeles
Steven D. Reese	....	production assistant
Carlos Reza	....	set production assistant: Los Angeles
Mark Rogerson	....	stand-in: Los Angeles
Joost Scholte	....	assistant: line producer
Joost Scholte	....	travel coordinator
Elizabeth Scully	....	assistant to producer
Oren Senderman	....	assistant: Mr. Flannigan, Los Angeles
Laura Sherman	....	production coordinator: Los Angeles (as Laura C. Sherman)
Peter Sotirov	....	mechanic: Bulgaria
Maggie Stoyanova	....	production coordinator: Bulgaria
Krasimir Stoyanov	....	on-set assistant organizer: Bulgaria
Kelly Stuart	....	assistant location manager: Los Angeles unit
Aaron Teeters	....	set production assistant: Los Angeles
Valentin Trendafilov	....	on-set assistant organizer: Bulgaria
Steve Trombatore	....	assistant accountant/payroll: Los Angeles
Matt Tulve	....	production assistant: Los Angeles
Robert Van Norden	....	assistant: Mr. Thompson, Los Angeles (as Rob Van Norden)
Georgi Vladimirov	....	on-set assistant organizer: Bulgaria
Vlado Vladimirov	....	location assistant: Bulgaria
Tony Tomey	....	stand-in (uncredited)

Thanks
Lizzie Taylor	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Universal Pictures (presents)
• Millennium Films (in association with) (presents)
• Signature Pictures
• Equity Pictures Medienfonds GmbH & Co. KG III (for)
• Nu Image Entertainment GmbH (for)
• Art Linson Productions
• Davis-Films

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (2006) (USA) (theatrical)
• Ascot Elite Entertainment Group (2006) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• E Stars Films (2006) (China) (theatrical)
• Entertainment Film Distributors (2006) (UK) (theatrical)
• Metropolitan Filmexport (2006) (France) (theatrical)
• Moonlight Films (2006) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Odeon (2006) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Roadshow Entertainment (2006) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Sharada Distribuzione (2006) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Shaw Organisation (2006) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Toho-Towa (2006) (Japan) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2007) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Vivio Films (2006) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2006) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-Ray Disc)
• Imagem Filmes (2007) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Ledafilms (2007) (Mexico) (TV)
• Magic Box (2007) (Czech Republic) (DVD)
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2007) (Switzerland) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2007) (Germany) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Custom Film Effects (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Abbey Road Studios  music recorded at
• Business Affairs  legal services
• Central Casting  extras casting
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  dollies
• Deluxe Post-Production  post-production facilities
• Elizabeth Bardsley & Associates  script annotation
• Keslow Cameras  second unit equipment
• Laser Pacific Media  digital intermediate services (as Laser Pacific)
• London Session Orchestra, The  orchestra (uncredited)
• LoopEase  adr voice casting
• MHz Sound Design Inc.  sound editing
• NovaStar Digital  sound re-recording
• Packair Airfreight  international logistics
• Right Lobe Design Group  titles
• Signature Films  foreign sales
• Soundtrack  ADR Facility

Also Known As:

Black Dahlia (Germany)
Die schwarze Dahlie (Germany) (TV title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and language.

Runtime:

121 min

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Australia:MA | Ireland:16 (theatrical rating) | UK:15 | Canada:14A (British Columbia/Ontario) | Canada:18A (Manitoba) | Malaysia:18PL | Indonesia:Dewasa | Singapore:M18 | Philippines:R-18 | Taiwan:R-18 | Netherlands:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-15 | Germany:16 | Finland:K-15 | Greece:K-13 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Hong Kong:IIB | USA:R (certificate #41496) | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | South Korea:18 | Argentina:16 | Brazil:16 | Spain:18 | Ireland:18 (DVD rating) | Denmark:15

Filming Locations:

Alto-Nido Apartments -1851 N. Ivar Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Mark Wahlberg had initially signed on to play Lee Blanchard opposite Josh Hartnett, but scheduling conflicts with the planned The Brazilian Job (2011) prevented him from taking part even though production on The Italian Job (2003) sequel was eventually pushed back.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Modern red-background STOP signs appear throughout the movie. Red-background stop signs were not standardized in the US until 1954. For many years after that, drivers' training manuals said that STOP signs could have red or yellow backgrounds.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Ofcr. Dwight "Bucky" Bleichert: [voiceover] Mr. Fire versus Mr. Ice. For everything people were making it out to be, you'd think it was our first fight. It wasn't. And it wouldn't be our last.

Movie Connections:

References Hoffmeyer's Legacy (1912)

Soundtrack:

In the Mood

over-the-top mess

Anybody expecting to get a great account of the Black Dahlia case, even fictional, will be disappointed going in to this movie. Of course, I knew that it was a fictionalization of the case, but I had no idea the movie would present its own evidence and draw its own conclusions.

But the main problem here is not the lack of factual detail, so much as the confusion of plot that surrounds and overwhelms the Black Dahlia case itself. So much plot and character and sideplots and backstory are built around the central characters that the case itself seems like a distraction. A key plot point and character motivator is the fascination of the two detectives with the murder, but this is never elaborated enough in the film, and we're left to half-heartedly guess at the character motivations.

The tone is never consistently campy, but when the camp arrives it overwhelms the story. A dinner scene between a suspect and her family had the crowd in stitches (the only scene during which the audience laughed). The problem is that the scene is valuable to the plot and should never have been played for laughs. Hitchcock or even Lynch could have shot the same scene, with the same events and dialogue, and made it menacing and creepy, which it needed to be to function in the mystery.

Other problems: De Palma uses the lesbian angle of the movie (never a part of the case) to full exploitative advantage, and the actresses seem unable to master to the expressive 1940s style acting that would have come naturally to even a marginal 40s star.

Although the film brings a clearcut finale rather than a vague puzzle, too many loose threads come together too neatly and rather than bringing the film to a satisfactory conclusion, it leaves you scratching your head, is this what I spent the last 2 hours waiting to hear? Overall, there is too much plot, too little character development and a wildly uneven tone. The movie has its moments but it's a blinding mess all together.