L’investigatore privato Philip Marlowe viene incaricato dall’anziano generale Sternwood di scoprire chi ricatta la figlia minore. Marlowe accetta l’incarico, che si rivela però più complicato del previsto. La ragazza, sua sorella maggiore e il cognato sono invischiati in un giro poco pulito di gioco d’azzardo.
Il classico "cult movie" di intere generazioni di cinéphiles. La coppia Bogart/ Bacall è magnetica, il romanzo di Chandler è adattato da William Faulkner e Leigh Brackett, la trama è enigmatica (anche per gli stessi attori, che dichiararono di non capirci niente), alcune scene (il padre della Bacall nella serra) indimenticabili. Musiche di max Steiner e fotografia di Sidney Hickox.
Cast
Humphrey BogartPhilip Marlowe
Lauren BacallVivian Sternwood Rutledge
John RidgelyEddie Mars
Martha VickersCarmen Sternwood
Dorothy MaloneAcme Bookstore Proprietress
Peggy KnudsenMona Mars
Regis ToomeyChief Inspector Bernie Ohls
Charles WaldronGeneral Sternwood
Charles D. BrownNorris the Butler
Bob SteeleLash Canino
Elisha Cook Jr.Harry Jones
Louis Jean HeydtJoe Brody
Trevor BardetteArt Huck (uncredited)
Joy BarlowTaxi Driver (uncredited)
Max BarwynMax - Head Waiter (uncredited)
Deannie BestWaitress (uncredited)
Tanis ChandlerWaitress (uncredited)
Jack ChefeCroupier (uncredited)
James ConatyNightclub Patron (uncredited)
Joseph CrehanMedical Examiner (uncredited)
Sonia DarrinAgnes Lowzier (uncredited)
Jack DeeryNightclub Patron (uncredited)
Carole DouglasLibrarian (uncredited)
Jay EatonCasino Patron (uncredited)
Tom FaddenSidney (uncredited)
Bess FlowersWoman with Bumped Man
Kenneth GibsonCasino Patron (uncredited)
Joe GilbertNightclub Patron (uncredited)
Stuart HallNightclub Patron (uncredited)
Shep HoughtonCasino Patron (uncredited)
Kenner G. KempNightclub Patron (uncredited)
Pete KooyMotorcycle Cop (uncredited)
Lorraine MillerHatcheck Girl (uncredited)
Forbes MurrayFurtive Man (uncredited)
William H. O'BrienWaiter (uncredited)
Shelby PayneCigarette Girl (uncredited)
Jack PerrySilent Thug Beating Marlowe (uncredited)
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