Double Indemnity

Double Indemnity
with Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Porter Hall, Jean Heather, Tom Powers
Directed by Billy Wilder
Written by Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler
Music: Miklós Rózsa; Cinematography: John F. Seitz; Costumes: Edith Head; Film Editing: Doane Harrison; Art Direction: Hans Dreier and Hal Pereira
USA 1944, b&w, 107 min.

Watch the trailer.

The second film of our "Serie Noire" is Billy Wilder’s 1944 adaptation of James M. Cain’s short story, "Double Indemnity." This classic film noir masterpiece is a cynical, witty, and dark thriller about adultery, corruption and murder. The highly-stylized film noir received no Academy Awards, although it was nominated in seven categories: Best Picture, Best Actress (Barbara Stanwyck), Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best B/W Cinematography, Best Sound Recording, and Best Scoring of a Dramatic Picture. Undoubtedly, "Double Indemnity's" hard-boiled themes and cold cynicism hurt its chances for an Oscar, during the war years.

This seminal tale, told in the past tense (in voice-over), involves two major characters with "an unholy love and an almost perfect crime." Both are duplicitous and callous lovers - a beautiful, shrewd, predatory and dissatisfied femme fatale housewife and a likeable insurance salesman... Paramount's tagline declared: "You can't kiss away a Murder!"

Phyllis: I think you're rotten.
Walter Neff: I think you're swell - so long as I'm not your husband.
Phyllis: Get out of here.
Walter Neff: You bet I'll get out of here, baby. I'll get out of here but quick.

Phyllis: I'm a native Californian. Born right here in Los Angeles.
Walter Neff: They say all native Californians come from Iowa.

Barton Keyes: Have you made up your mind?
Jackson: Mr. Keyes, I'm a Medford man - Medford, Oregon. Up in Medford, we take our time making up our minds.
Barton Keyes: Well, we're not in Medford, we're in a hurry.

Barton Keyes: What's the matter? Dames chasing you again? Or still? Or is it none of my business?
Walter Neff: If I told you it was a customer, you'd...
Barton Keyes: "Margie"! I bet she drinks from the bottle.

For previous screenings click here.


« La Série noire » March 22 8:00 pm at the Coach House	Double Indemnity with Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Porter Hall, Jean Heather, Tom Powers Directed by Billy Wilder Written by Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler Music: Miklós Rózsa; Cinematography: John F. Seitz; Costumes: Edith Head; Film Editing: Doane Harrison; Art Direction: Hans Dreier and Hal Pereira USA 1944, b&w, 107 min. Watch the trailer. The second film of our "Serie Noire" is Billy Wilder’s 1944 adaptation of James M. Cain’s short story, "Double Indemnity." This classic film noir masterpiece is a cynical, witty, and dark thriller about adultery, corruption and murder. The highly-stylized film noir received no Academy Awards, although it was nominated in seven categories: Best Picture, Best Actress (Barbara Stanwyck), Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best B/W Cinematography, Best Sound Recording, and Best Scoring of a Dramatic Picture. Undoubtedly, "Double Indemnity's" hard-boiled themes and cold cynicism hurt its chances for an Oscar, during the war years. This seminal tale, told in the past tense (in voice-over), involves two major characters with "an unholy love and an almost perfect crime." Both are duplicitous and callous lovers - a beautiful, shrewd, predatory and dissatisfied femme fatale housewife and a likeable insurance salesman... Paramount's tagline declared: "You can't kiss away a Murder!" Phyllis: I think you're rotten. Walter Neff: I think you're swell - so long as I'm not your husband. Phyllis: Get out of here. Walter Neff: You bet I'll get out of here, baby. I'll get out of here but quick. Phyllis: I'm a native Californian. Born right here in Los Angeles. Walter Neff: They say all native Californians come from Iowa. Barton Keyes: Have you made up your mind? Jackson: Mr. Keyes, I'm a Medford man - Medford, Oregon. Up in Medford, we take our time making up our minds. Barton Keyes: Well, we're not in Medford, we're in a hurry. Barton Keyes: What's the matter? Dames chasing you again? Or still? Or is it none of my business? Walter Neff: If I told you it was a customer, you'd... Barton Keyes: "Margie"! I bet she drinks from the bottle. For previous screenings click here.