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The Blue Dahlia (1946)

7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 3,474 users  
Reviews: 53 user | 24 critic

An ex-bomber pilot is suspected of murdering his unfaithful wife.

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Title: The Blue Dahlia (1946)

The Blue Dahlia (1946) on IMDb 7.1/10

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. See more awards »
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
...
William Bendix ...
Howard Da Silva ...
Eddie Harwood
Doris Dowling ...
Helen Morrison
Tom Powers ...
Capt. Hendrickson
...
George Copeland
...
Corelli
Don Costello ...
Leo
...
'Dad' Newell
...
Man Recommending a Motel
Walter Sande ...
Heath
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Storyline

When Johnny comes home from the navy he finds his wife Helen kissing her substitute boyfriend Eddie, the owner of the Blue Dahlia nightclub. Helen admits her drunkenness caused their son's death. He pulls a gun on her but decides she's not worth it. Later, Helen is found dead and Johnny is the prime suspect. Written by Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

This Beautiful Blonde Tries to Step In... where THIS GORGEOUS BRUNETTE LEFT OFF with LADD See more »


Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

19 April 1946 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

La dalia azul  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Recording)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Raymond Chandler, who wrote the screenplay, claimed that producer John Houseman was in "the doghouse" and director George Marshall "was a stale old hack who had been directing for thirty years without once having achieved any real distinction", so Chandler went on to the Paramount set to direct some of the scenes himself. See more »

Goofs

During the scene in the Blue Dahlia manager's office between Leo and Eddie, moving shadow of boom mic is visible on wall above Eddie while he is seated in the armchair. See more »

Quotes

Helen Morrison: I take all the drinks I like, any time, any place. I go where I want to with anybody I want. I just happen to be that kind of a girl.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Electra Glide in Blue (1973) See more »

Soundtracks

"It's Easy to Remember"
(1935) (uncredited)
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
Sung in part by an uncredited actress at the Blue Dahlia
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Chandler comes to life
3 December 1998 | by (Red Oak, TX) – See all my reviews

Raymond Chandler wrote this script and it is him through and through, I think. It's a very bleak tale of returning war veterans' findings when they reach "home." Unfaithful wife, hoodlums, and just general corruption and bleakness. The scenes with Veronica Lake are the shafts of light in this one's blackness (what did you expect, she's Veronica Lake, one of the most beautiful screen starlet ever), but all in all it conjours up dark images in one's mind. I once heard someone argue that this wasn't film noir. I disagree as much as I can. There is much inner struggle in the characters, settings of bleakness, amnesia, corruption everywhere, unfaithful spouses, murders, cops, criminals, and finally the dark visual expression (with rain as an added bonus). Do not miss this film.


25 of 28 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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