Private Investigator Philip Marlowe is hired by wealthy General Sternwood regarding a matter involving his youngest daughter Carmen. Before the complex case is over, Marlowe sees murder, blackmail, deception, and what might be love.
Acting
Bogart's world-weary wit meets Bacall's smoldering challenge.
Direction
Hawks makes confusion feel intoxicating, not frustrating.
Writing
Dialogue so sharp you'll need stitches.
Director
Howard Hawks
Humphrey Bogart
Philip Marlowe
Lauren Bacall
Vivian Sternwood Rutledge
John Ridgely
Eddie Mars
Martha Vickers
Carmen Sternwood
Louis Jean Heydt
Joe Brody
Regis Toomey
Chief Inspector Bernie Ohls
Sonia Darrin
Agnes Lowzier (uncredited)
Elisha Cook Jr.
Harry Jones
Bob Steele
Lash Canino
Dorothy Malone
Acme Bookstore Proprietress
Peggy Knudsen
Mona Mars
Charles D. Brown
Norris the Butler
Trevor Bardette
Art Huck (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The plot's famously incomprehensible because Hawks filmed before the novel's ending was written.
Bacall's sultry 'racehorse' dialogue was added in 1946 reshoots after their 1944 marriage made them box office gold.
US
