Blue Dahlia

The screenplay is classic Raymond Chandler, sharply brilliant with rat-a-tat fire exchange. But the plot fails -- it's too simple, too linear, and not convuluted enough to darken the shadows and reflect the torn morals noir characters have to face. Veronica Lake as the femme fatale isn't quite vicious enough, and her own private agenda is boring enough to bleach white into the noir. In fact, that credit should go to man-caught-in-the-middle Johnny Morrison's (Alan Ladd) ex-wife, who goes out of her way to make a war hero look bad.


The Best of Everything   July 15, 2002
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

The Blue Dahlia is the finest noir film of it's kind and everything is absolutely perfect in the third of four films Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake would make together. Raymond Chandler wrote the origional screenplay and George Marshall turned in his finest directing job in this screen classic. This film has the perfect blend of grit and gloss, romance and female treachery, and for my money is better than the film often held up as the perfect noir, Casablanca.

Ladd returns from WWII with his two buddies only to find his wife has been unfaithful, in your face unfaithful, and responsible for his son's death while he was away. He confronts her at a party and blows out in a storm, unaware that someone kills her with his gun only hours later. Veronica Lake picks him up in the pouring rain and an attraction begins between the two.

The dialog is crisp and the atmosphere perfect as Ladd finds out by accident he is being sought for the murder of his wife. Like Ladd, Lake is running from something as well and trying to help Ladd takes her right back to The Blue Dahlia. Ladd's loyal buddies, who have been through so much together overseas, are on hand to help also. Did his shell shocked friend, played nicely by William Bendix, kill Ladd's wife or was it the owner of The Blue Dahlia, or maybe someone unknown?

Finding out is about the most entertaining 100 minutes you'll ever spend watching a movie and this is certain to be one of your all time favorites after you see it for the first time. Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake were the perfect screen duo. Ladd tells Lake early on in the film that every guy had seen her somewhere before, meaning the girl we all see in our dreams. When things are all wrapped up Ladd stops her from driving away, reminding her of what he said. We know then as she does that she is Ladd's dream, and ours as well.

This film is everything others of it's kind during the '40's tried to be. The Blue Dahlia is a film you HAVE to own if you love the movies.......


Why isn't this on DVD   March 28, 2002
Gary Slagle (DeWitt, NY USA)
Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake made some of the best film noir movies of all time and none of them are on DVD. These are great movies if you love old black and white intrigue and mystery however. They are worth getting in any format.


Engaging Early Noir   February 18, 2002
Gary F. Taylor (Biloxi, MS USA)
Although riddled with improbabilities, Raymond Chandler's tough story and script is well served with a glossy look and the hard-edged performances drawn by director George Marshall from a superior cast. THE BLUE DAHLIA concerns a recently discharged military man Johnny Morrison (Alan Ladd) who returns home to find his wife Helen (Doris Dowling) has been as unfaithful as the day is long--and is presently carrying on with club owner Eddie Harwood (Howard da Silva), over whom her hold is not entirely romantic. After stomping out into the rain, Morrison learns Helen has been murdered, and must race to prove his innocence before the coppers pick him up.

Ladd would give considerably more sophistocated performances in his later years, but he strikes all the right ultra-tough chords, and although Veronica Lake is a rather wooden actress she is remarkably beautiful and as a team the pair has considerable chemistry. The standouts in the cast, however, are Da Silva, who gives the role of the heavy a surprising interpretation, and William Bendix, who plays Ladd's war-wounded buddy to great effect. THE BLUE DAHLIA lacks both the moodiness and grittiness of truly great film noir, so it is not in the first rank of the genre--but it is no less enjoyable for that. The film cracks along at a rapid pace with plenty of action and a surprise twist or two that will keep you guessing to the very end. Ladd and Lake fans will love it, and any one who likes the hardboiled style will be in for a real treat. Recommended.


One Of The Best Noir Films I've Ever Seen!   April 14, 2001
Alex Udvary (chicago, il United States)
I love Noir films. And while Hollywood tries to keep this genre alive today, the movies that come out now, can never be compared to the "classics" of the 30's and 40's. If a noir film doesn't have Alan Ladd, Lana Turner,Veronica Lake, or Orson Welles in it, then, I don't want to see it! "Dahlia" was the first time fammed novelist Raymond Chandler took a crack at writting a screenplay. And the results were amazing. Directed by George Marshall (Some might know him for directing a couple of Bob Hope films like "Fancy Pants", and Monsieur Beaucaire")this movie has all the mystery, suspense,and entertainment you could want from a movie. Alan Ladd plays Johnny Morrison, an ex millitary man comes home to find out that wife has been cheating on him since he's been away with Eddie Harwood (Howard Da Silva) who runs a club called "The Blue Dahlia". When Johnny and his two friends return Buzz (William Bendix) and George (Hugh Beaumont)he's furious! He's yelling and screaming and is even more bitter when he finds out that it's because of his wife that their daughter has died! After a house detective notices that Johnny is pushing his wife around, he warns him if he plans on doing that he can at least close his shades. Johnny full of hate steams out of the room and is never seen again. The very next morning his wife is found dead! But did Johnny actually do it?? Well, all I'll say is be was with Joyce Harwood (Veronica Lake) at the time picking up a ride. Soon he finds out tha she's Eddie's wife, and she finds out he's on the run from the police. A lot of twist and turns take place and make this movie enjoyable to watch. We're lead to believe one thing and then in the end, find out something complete different is what happened. A classic noir film is I ever saw one. Great acting by Lake and Ladd, not to mention Da Silva. Good solid directing by Marshall, and a terrific screenplay by Chandler.