Murder, My Sweet (1944)
Directed by Edward Dmytryk

Crime / Thriller / Drama
aka: Farewell My Lovely

Film Review

Abstract picture representing Murder, My Sweet (1944)
One of the best adaptations of a Raymond Chandler novel is this quintessential film noir thriller, in which Dick Powell gives us the definitive screen portrayal of the legendary detective Philip Marlowe.  Powell's fortunes as an actor were very much on the decline when he made this film, and its enormous success is what salvaged his career.  Opposite Powell's superlative Marlowe, Claire Trevor plays the silkily smooth femme fatale, and Mike Mazurki puts in his best turn as the underworld henchman you would least like to run into on a dark night.

Murder, My Sweet has all the essential ingredients of a great noir thriller - claustrophobic sets draped in sinister shadows, stylishly atmospheric black and white photography, a cast of bewilderingly ambiguous characters, undercurrents of psychosis, mistrust and sexual tension, and a plot murkier than a chief executive's income tax return.   The plot is so complicated and moves along so fast that it's just impossible to take in everything that happens - so don't bother trying. 

Whilst the film's labyrinthine narrative complexity is initially frustrating, it does add to the film's very distinctive dreamlike aura, and, in any case, it does somehow all come together in the end - rather like a self-assembly wardrobe (with a few unrecognisable bits left over).   The film captures perfectly the abrupt sardonic humour of Chandler's novels, particularly in Marlowe's voiceover narration, although the high point is a wonderfully expressionistic dream sequence.   Altogether, this is one of Edward Dmytryk's most inspired films, somewhat better than its 1975 remake Farewell, My Lovely.
© James Travers 2008
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next Edward Dmytryk film:
Cornered (1945)

Film Synopsis

Private detective Philip Marlowe has his work cut out when two cases fall into his lap at the same time.  First, ex-convict Moose Malloy hires him to find his missing girlfriend, Velma.  Then he is coerced into working as a bodyguard for Lindsay Marriott when he goes to collect a stolen jade necklace.  The private eye quickly learns that nothing is quite what it seems, that no one can be trusted, and that the two seemingly unconnected cases are very closely related.  The question is: will he live to tell the tale?
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.


Film Credits

  • Director: Edward Dmytryk
  • Script: John Paxton, Raymond Chandler (novel)
  • Cinematographer: Harry J. Wild
  • Music: Roy Webb
  • Cast: Dick Powell (Philip Marlowe), Claire Trevor (Mrs.Helen Grayle aka Velma Valento), Anne Shirley (Ann Grayle), Otto Kruger (Jules Amthor), Mike Mazurki (Moose Malloy), Miles Mander (Mr. Grayle), Douglas Walton (Lindsay Marriott), Donald Douglas (Police Lieutenant Randall), Ralf Harolde (Dr. Sonderborg), Esther Howard (Jessie Florian), Ernie Adams (Bartender at 'Florian's'), Bernice Ahi (Dancer at the 'Cocoanut Beach Club'), George Anderson (Detective), Jack Carr (Dr. Sonderborg's Assistant), Ralph Dunn (Detective), Sam Finn (Headwaiter), Paul Hilton (Boy Getting Laundry), John Indrisano (Anthor's Chauffeur), Daun Kennedy (Girl in Bar), Donald Kerr (Taxi Driver)
  • Country: USA
  • Language: English
  • Support: Black and White
  • Runtime: 95 min
  • Aka: Farewell My Lovely

The very best period film dramas
sb-img-20
Is there any period of history that has not been vividly brought back to life by cinema? Historical movies offer the ultimate in escapism.
The best French Films of the 1920s
sb-img-3
In the 1920s French cinema was at its most varied and stylish - witness the achievements of Abel Gance, Marcel L'Herbier, Jean Epstein and Jacques Feyder.
The history of French cinema
sb-img-8
From its birth in 1895, cinema has been an essential part of French culture. Now it is one of the most dynamic, versatile and important of the arts in France.
The Carry On films, from the heyday of British film comedy
sb-img-17
Looking for a deeper insight into the most popular series of British film comedies? Visit our page and we'll give you one.
The best of American cinema
sb-img-26
Since the 1920s, Hollywood has dominated the film industry, but that doesn't mean American cinema is all bad - America has produced so many great films that you could never watch them all in one lifetime.
 

Other things to look at


Copyright © filmsdefrance.com 1998-2024
All rights reserved



All content on this page is protected by copyright