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The Blue Dahlia (1946)

Not Rated | | Crime, Film-Noir, Mystery | 1 June 1946 (UK)
The Blue Dahlia Poster
An ex-bomber pilot is suspected of murdering his unfaithful wife.

Director:

George Marshall

Writer:

Raymond Chandler

Stars:

Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake, William Bendix | See full cast & crew »
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From $3.99 (SD) on Prime Video

ON DISC
Nominated for 1 Oscar. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Alan Ladd ... Johnny Morrison
Veronica Lake ... Joyce Harwood
William Bendix ... Buzz Wanchek
Howard Da Silva ... Eddie Harwood
Doris Dowling ... Helen Morrison
Tom Powers ... Capt. Hendrickson
Hugh Beaumont ... George Copeland
Howard Freeman ... Corelli
Don Costello ... Leo
Will Wright ... 'Dad' Newell
Frank Faylen ... Man Recommending a Motel
Walter Sande ... Heath
See full cast »
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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 | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

nightclub owner | murder of wife | on the run | unfaithful wife | hard boiled | See All (103) »

Taglines:

Double dame trouble! Double-barrelled action! See more »

Genres:

Crime | Film-Noir | Mystery | Thriller

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 June 1946 (UK) See more »

Also Known As:

La dalia azul See more »

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles City Hall - 200 North Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA See more »
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Box Office

Gross USA:

$2,700,000
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

This was Raymond Chandler's first complete and original screenplay. See more »

Goofs

After arriving home and being introduced to his wife's friends, Johnny punches his wife's beau in the mouth, then storms into a bedroom where we hear a door slam, but then see the actual door close softly. See more »

Quotes

Johnny Morrison: I'm sorry, but nothing seems funny to me tonight. It all blows up in your face sometimes.
Joyce Harwood: What does?
Johnny Morrison: Whatever you're doing, whereever you're going.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Still Life 2 (2009) See more »

Soundtracks

The Blue Dahlia
(uncredited)
Music by Bernie Wayne
Used instrumentally
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is this the Blue Dahlia not out yet in Region 1 Format?
See more »

User Reviews

 
Sizzling and sultry Lake film noir...
30 March 2003 | by pipster101 – See all my reviews

A follow-on from "The Glass Key", this film offers the familiar Lake, Ladd and Bendix combo in this Raymond Chandler written film noir. Not as dark as other Chandler scripts, or indeed as other film noirs of the time, it however seems more suited to the acting talents of Lake and Ladd. It offers them both a fine chance to shine, making you understand their star appeal of that era, although for Lake it was to be her last 'big' film. Lake, as in "Sullivan's Travels", looks especially radiant in Edith head costumes, with the art direction of Hans Drier placing and lighting her in sensitive and evocative moods.

A good film to watch to either expand your knowledge of the film noir genre,

bask in Lake's glow, or to simply enjoy on a lazy Sunday afternoon...a classic of its genre. 9/10.
38 of 43 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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