IMDb > The Big Sleep (1946)
The Big Sleep
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The Big Sleep (1946) More at IMDbPro »

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The Big Sleep (1946) -- Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a rich family. Before the complex case is over, he's seen murder, blackmail, and what might be love.
The Big Sleep (1946) -- Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a rich family. Before the complex case is over, he's seen murder, blackmail, and what might be love.
The Big Sleep (1946) -- AllTrailers.net - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
William Faulkner (screenplay) &
Leigh Brackett (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Big Sleep on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
31 August 1946 (USA) more
Tagline:
The type of man she hated . . . was the type she wanted ! more
Plot:
Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a rich family. Before the complex case is over, he's seen murder, blackmail, and what might be love. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 win more
User Comments:
Classic Film-Noir. Murder and mayhem; and a private dick that doesn't quit. more (168 total)
US TV Schedule:

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Humphrey Bogart ... Philip Marlowe

Lauren Bacall ... Vivian Rutledge
John Ridgely ... Eddie Mars
Martha Vickers ... Carmen Sternwood
Dorothy Malone ... Acme Bookstore Proprietress
Peggy Knudsen ... Mona Mars
Regis Toomey ... Chief Inspector Bernie Ohls
Charles Waldron ... General Sternwood
Charles D. Brown ... Norris the Butler
Bob Steele ... Lash Canino
Elisha Cook Jr. ... Harry Jones
Louis Jean Heydt ... Joe Brody
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Pat Clark ... Mona Mars (scenes deleted)
James Flavin ... Capt. Cronjager (scenes deleted)
Thomas E. Jackson ... District Attorney White (scenes deleted)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
114 min | 116 min (pre-release version)
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Production date for 'The Big Sleep' was Oct. 10, 1944 through Jan. 12, 1945. Additional scenes/retakes were shot begining Jan. 2, 1946. The bulk of the film was shot during wartime. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Marlowe returns to his apartment after taking Carmen home from Geiger's house, there is a tight shot of his (Marlowe's) front door, on which there is a bracket holding a card that reads "Philip Marlowe - Private Investigator" and "206" in large numbers. When he opens the door to the apartment and the shot changes to a wide one, the number has disappeared. more
Quotes:
Vivian: So you're a private detective. I didn't know they existed, except in books, or else they were greasy little men snooping around hotel corridors. My, you're a mess, aren't you? more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Wings: The Big Sleep (#7.9)" (1995) more
Soundtrack:
And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine more

FAQ

Who shot the chauffeur?
How closely does the movie follow the novel?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
more
17 out of 24 people found the following comment useful.
Classic Film-Noir. Murder and mayhem; and a private dick that doesn't quit., 15 January 2002
8/10
Author: Michael O'Keefe from Muskogee OK

Howard Hawks directs Raymond Chandler's novel on the silver screen. None other than William Faulkner is primary screenplay writer. Bogart and Bacall star in this grand black and white thriller. Private eye Philip Marlowe(Bogart)is hired by a very wealthy family to protect a young woman from her own indiscretions and along the way there is murder, blackmail, car chases and gun play to deal with. Right smack in the middle of this complex case Marlowe finds time to fall in love with his client's eldest daughter(Bacall). Murder galore does not phase our cool detective with the cigarette hanging from his thin lips.

Flawless acting from Bogart and Bacall. There is a very talented supporting cast that includes Regis Toomey, Martha Vickers, Elisha Cook Jr., Bob Steele and John Ridgely. Then there is the charming Dorothy Malone that sizzles in her short time on screen. Very witty dialogue and colorful characters make this a classic among classics.

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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Big Sleep (1946)
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Humphrey Bogart doesn't look 38 skylab23
Acme bookstore scene... fouetteforever
What happened to the accomplice Art Huck? radioguy88
Who killed the chaffeur? vwhelan
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