DOUBLE INDEMNITY
"How could I have known that murder could smell like honeysuckle." Yes, you can tell that one of the big hitters of literature, Raymond Chandler, was involved in writing this one. One of the greats of film noir, 'Double Indemnity' sees Fred MacMurray as weak insurance agent Walter Neff, who is manipulated by Barbara Stanwyck's cruel Phyllis Dietrichson. Ms. Stanwyck, like Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn, were strong, independent women half a century before 'Girl Power'. They were 'Women Power', and had the strong roles to match. Walter Neff narrates the film, which is punctuated by hip Chandleresque lines, and lots of "I love you, baby". Dietrichson:
"We're both rotten." Neff falls for Phyllis, who exploits both his position and desires, in persuading him to kill her husband, and make it look like an accident. Neff then comes up with the double indemnity suggestion - an unusual accident doubles your money. Thus an ingenious plan is hatched, and the unfortunate Mr. Dietrichson is killed in his own car by Neff, with Phyllis looking on calmly. Lola (Jean Heather), Mr. Dietrichson's daughter, rumbles Phyllis, who, she believes, also killed her mother. Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson), however, takes some time before realising that his friend Neff is involved in the scam. 'Double Indemnity' is 107 minutes of film gold, though it somehow missed out on winning any Oscars. Ms. Stanwyck was nominated for Best Actress, Billy Wilder for Best Director, John F. Seitz for Best Cinematography, Miklós Rózsa for Best Music, Raymond Chandler and Billy Wilder for Best Screenplay, and Loren L. Ryder for Best Sound. Produced by Joseph Sistrom, it was also nominated for Best Picture. - Paul Rance/booksmusicfilmstv.com. |
The Angry Silence Babe Bambi The Birds The Blue Max Casablanca Coming Home Cry Freedom The Defiant Ones Double Indemnity The Elephant Man Escape From Alcatraz Falling Down Gladiator Goldfinger Hell Drivers The Italian Job King Kong Legally Blonde 2 The Mark Of Zorro The Matrix Midnight Cowboy Moulin Rouge On The Waterfront Paths Of Glory Planet Of The Apes Psycho The Rebel Shark Tale Silent Running Sleeper Spartacus Spider-Man 2 Stuart Little Theatre Of Blood The Third Man The Vikings The War Of The Worlds Watership Down West Side Story When The Wind Blows Where Eagles Dare The Wicker Man Yellow Submarine You've Got Mail Zulu Directed by Billy Wilder
|
