Mrs. Elizabeth Bright Murdock hires Marlowe to find an old rare coin, the Brasher Doubloon, that belonged in her deceased husband's collection. Marlowe begins investigating, but quickly finds himself entangled in a series of unexplained murders.
Cinematography
Shadows so thick you could trip over them.
Acting
George Montgomery's Marlowe: handsome, hollow, weirdly watchable.
Production
Fox's B-unit doing A-level mood on C-level budget.
Director
John Brahm
George Montgomery
Philip Marlowe
Nancy Guild
Merle Davis
Florence Bates
Mrs. Murdock
Roy Roberts
Lt. Breez
Fritz Kortner
Vannier
Conrad Janis
Leslie Murdock
Marvin Miller
Blair
Reed Hadley
Dr. Moss (uncredited)
Robert Adler
Police Sgt. Spangler (uncredited)
George Magrill
Policeman (uncredited)
Jack Overman
Apartment Manager (uncredited)
Ray Spiker
Figaro (uncredited)
Houseley Stevenson
Elisha Morningstar (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was the last of three 1940s Marlowe adaptations; Chandler himself dismissed it as 'utterly routine,' which is honestly generous.
The 'Brasher Doubloon' was a real 1787 gold coin worth millions today—making Mrs. Murdock's body count arguably economical.
US
