As confusing a plot as any Chandler novel might be, The Lady in the Lake screenplay is full of some interesting twists, film noir staples, and a unique point of view. The viewer sees only what the protagonist Phillip Marlowe sees - and just the way he sees it! Yes, at first I thought this novelty was interesting, but eventually it lost its allure and started hurting the actual story - of course this may have been purposely done. The story starts with Marlowe sitting in an armchair telling us about this crazy case of his that creeps up in suspense. A book editor hires Marlowe to find her boss's wife. After that, who knows? Joking aside, I have a vague idea about what the eventual outcome of the film was - but have no complete account to be sure. Bob Montgomery plays the detective and I think his performance hurts the film the most. He isn't bad, but he isn't real good either. After seeing Bogie in Murder My Sweet, my expectations were too high I suppose. Montgomery does a workmanlike job if nothing else, but he plays one crabby private dick! He is all sour and no sweet. Bogart at least always had a high level of humour indirectly laced throughout his performance. He was a layered character - something film noir heroes strive to be. Montgomery's Marlowe is just cantankerous and crabby. We see only one side. The rest of the cast is okay - Lloyd Nolan gives a pretty good performance. The main "doll," Audrey Totter is a pretty accessory who overacts quite a bit. Nothing real special here, but certainly I recommend it for its film novelty if nothing else.