IMDb >
Double Indemnity (1944)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsDouble Indemnity (1944) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 32 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 3) |
          |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
24 April 1944 (USA)
more
Tagline:
It's Love And Murder At First Sight ! more
Plot:
An insurance rep lets himself be talked into a murder/insurance fraud scheme that arouses an insurance investigator's suspicions. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 7 Oscars.
Another 1 win
more
NewsDesk:
(15 articles)
Interview: 50 Years of Filmmaking With Martin Landau
(From HollywoodChicago.com. 2 November 2009, 2:30 PM, PST)
The Noir Loser
(From SoundOnSight. 26 October 2009, 9:41 PM, PDT)
(From HollywoodChicago.com. 2 November 2009, 2:30 PM, PST)
The Noir Loser
(From SoundOnSight. 26 October 2009, 9:41 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
The Not-So-Perfect Crime
more (190 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast) | Fred MacMurray | ... | Walter Neff |
 | Barbara Stanwyck | ... | Phyllis Dietrichson |
 | Edward G. Robinson | ... | Barton Keyes |
 | Porter Hall | ... | Mr. Jackson |
| Jean Heather | ... | Lola Dietrichson |
| Tom Powers | ... | Mr. Dietrichson |
 | Byron Barr | ... | Nino Zachetti |
| Richard Gaines | ... | Edward S. Norton, Jr. |
| Fortunio Bonanova | ... | Sam Garlopis |
| John Philliber | ... | Joe Peters |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| George Anderson | ... | Warden at Execution (scenes deleted) |
| Al Bridge | ... | Execution Chamber Guard (scenes deleted) |
| Edward Hearn | ... | Warden's Secretary (scenes deleted) |
| Boyd Irwin | ... | First Doctor at Execution (scenes deleted) |
| George Melford | ... | Second Doctor at Execution (scenes deleted) |
| William O'Leary | ... | Chaplain at Execution (scenes deleted) |
| Lee Shumway | ... | Door Guard at Execution (scenes deleted) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
107 min | Argentina:110 min | Canada:90 min (Ontario)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)
Certification:
Germany:16 |
Norway:16 |
South Korea:15 |
Portugal:M/12 |
Argentina:16 |
Australia:PG |
Finland:K-16 |
Sweden:15 |
USA:Unrated |
USA:Approved |
UK:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The victim, Mr. Dietrichson, is an oil company executive. Screenplay writer Raymond Chandler was an oil company executive before he became a writer.
more
Goofs:
Factual errors: The door to Neff's apartment opens away from, rather than toward, the apartment. This was a violation of the Los Angeles Fire Code. (Billy Wilder knew this, but could not change the door because of the crucial scene where Phyllis is hiding behind the door in the hallway.)
more
Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Detective Fiction (2003)
more
Soundtrack:
Tangerine
more
FAQ
Is "Double Indemnity" based on a book?How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
Is "Double Indemnity" based on a true story?
more
more (190 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Double Indemnity (1944)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| I liked the blonde wig? | jazzpiano- |
| 'I bet she drinks from the bottle.' | Echo_in_big_sky |
| Missing scenes | laxlon |
| Modern update | skycaptainshell |
| Matches | mayonegg89 |
| Weak Plot Elements | RescueDog |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Strangers on a Train | The Postman Always Rings Twice | The Last Seduction | Ossessione | Ace in the Hole |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb top 250 movies | IMDb Crime section |
| IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
Double Indemnity begins with a car speeding on a dark, rainy night. This begins the classic film noir plot. Billy Wilder directs a steamy and grabbing film. Billy Wilder pulls this film together with an awesome cast, perfect lighting and an amusing script. Fred MacMurray plays Walter Neff, an unsuspecting insurance salesman. He is unsuspecting in the sense that he is unaware of what the ‘femme fatale' is going to put him up to. Barbara Stanwyck plays the ‘femme fatale', Phyllis Dietrichson, a manipulative housewife who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
The film begins in present day giving insight into Walter's current plight. Walter Neff gives the voice over as the plot unfolds. It starts in the present time allowing the audience to know what crime has happened without the interesting details to support it. This is an interesting twist to the common film noir plot. Knowing the crime at hand keeps the audience hungry for those details. Walter is the victim of the beautiful woman who manipulates him into pulling off a murderous insurance fraud scam. Walter is an impeccable insurance salesman and Phyllis, in some ways, forces him into providing her with what she needs. Phyllis is the typical ‘femme fatale' who has no problem in using others to get what she wants.
Throughout the film Walter is completely enamored by Phyllis. Walter could have coined the pet name ‘baby' with his fondness towards Phyllis by calling her that throughout the film. He is easily distracted by her beauty and evil charm. He seems to be entranced by Phyllis's ankle bracelet, so much that he mentions it numerous times. This allows the audience to feel the sexual tension between the two. Phyllis, on the other hand, shows the audience that she can use and abuse anyone who gets in her way. While believably attracted to Walter, Phyllis keeps him hopping to fulfill her needs. She pulls him in and handles him like a puppet. She is the epitome of the film noir genre's ‘femme fatale'.
Barton Keyes, played by Edward G. Robinson, is Walter's co-worker and friend at the insurance company where he works. Barton closely investigates all insurance claims that come across his desk. While at one time Walter assuredly agreed with this practice, once Barton starts to unravel the mystery behind Mrs. Dietrichson's insurance claim, we begin to see just how nervous and paranoid Walter is. Walter then begins to see Phyllis in a whole new light. Barton plays the integral part by piecing together details that are thrown around throughout the film. This keeps the tension high for the filmgoer. These details are pieced together perfectly through to the end.
Double Indemnity has the perfect plot with the perfect cast. Walter and Phyllis' attraction are tasty and the crime is wonderfully puzzling. Double Indemnity is the true film noir giant.