The Blue Dahlia (1946)

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Directed by George Marshall

Running Time: 100 minutes (approx)

Production Year: 1946

Rating: 15 Certificate

Production Country: USA

Filmed in Black and White

This tough and taut thriller, written by Raymond Chandler, is one of the great unsung film-noirs. Released in 1946, it stars Alan Ladd - on terrific form - as super-cool Second World War veteran Johnny Morrison who returns home to discover that his wife Helen (Doris Dowling) has been unfaithful, fooling around with Eddie Harwood (Howard Da Silva), the oily owner of the Blue Dahlia nightclub. Distraught, Johnny wanders off into the night, leaving his gun behind. Helen winds up dead, but who shot her and why? Johnny - the prime suspect - is determined to uncover the truth. While on the killer's trail, he teams up with sultry Joyce - Veronica Lake - who, by chance, is the estranged wife of Eddie Harwood...

Brilliantly directed by George Marshall, it's a fine movie. Ladd and Lake's scenes are terrific, and, surprisingly, the fight sequences are quite tough for the time. Also look out for a strong performance from William Bendix as Johnny's shell-shocked war buddy Buzz Wanchek.

Highly recommended.

When is The Blue Dahlia next on TV?

In the UK... it's next showing on Sky Movies Classics December 2nd, 5:15pm and on Sky Movies Classics December 3rd, 12:50am. See more...

Cast

Image for Alan LaddAlan LaddJohnny Morrison /Jimmy Moore
Image for Veronica LakeVeronica LakeJoyce Harwood
Image for William BendixWilliam BendixBuzz Wanchek
Image for Howard Da SilvaHoward Da SilvaEddie Harwood
Image for Doris DowlingDoris DowlingHelen Morrison
Tom PowersCapt. Hendrickson
Hugh BeaumontGeorge Copeland
Howard FreemanCorelli
Don CostelloLeo
Will Wright'Dad' Newell
Frank FaylenMan recommending a motel
Walter SandeHeath
Dick ElliottMotor court owner
Milton KibbeeNight hotel clerk

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