Lady in the Lake (1947)

Note des utilisateurs:

6.6/10   

Réalisateur:

Robert Montgomery

Writers:

Steve Fisher (screenplay)
Raymond Chandler (novel)

Release Date:

14 avril 1947 (Sweden)

Genre:

Crime | Drame | Film-Noir | Mystery | Romance

Accroche:

Another Sizzling Murder Mystery by RAYMOND CHANDLER!

Plot:

The camera shows Phillip Marlowe's view from the first-person in this adaptation of Raymond Chandler's book...

Plot Keywords:

Publisher | First Person | Detective | Automobile Chase | First Person Camera

Avis des utilisateurs:

There are Marlowes Then there is Marlowe

Ensemble

Robert Montgomery	...	Phillip Marlowe
Audrey Totter	...	Adrienne Fromsett
Lloyd Nolan	...	Lt. DeGarmot
Tom Tully	...	Capt. Kane
Leon Ames	...	Derace Kingsby
Jayne Meadows	...	Mildred Haveland aka Muriel Chess
Dick Simmons	...	Chris Lavery
Morris Ankrum	...	Eugene Grayson
Lila Leeds	...	Receptionist
William Roberts	...	Artist
Kathleen Lockhart	...	Mrs. Grayson
Ellay Mort	...	Chrystal Kingsby

Autre(s) titre(s):

La dame du lac (Belgium: French title) (France) [fr]

Durée:

105 min

Pays:

USA

Langue:

Anglais

Couleur:

Noir et Blanc

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Son:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Classification:

Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #11803)

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Anecdotes:

The entire movie plot unfolds from lead Robert Montgomery's point of view, thus creating a rarity in film: the principal character is never seen on-screen except as a reflection in mirrors and windows.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Lieutenant DeGarmot is punched and he hits the floor, we can see the taped marks on the floor used for the actors.

Guillemet:

Derris Kingsby: Mr. Marlowe, may I speak to you?
Philip Marlowe: Why not? Everybody's been speaking to me.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hold Your Breath and Cross Your Fingers: The Story of 'Dark Passage' (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

There are Marlowes Then there is Marlowe

The POV of Lady the In The Lake experiment hides the fact that Robert Montgomery wasn't up to the task of being Philip Marlowe. Oh he had the tough talk down pat, but as someone said earlier he was better in Ride The Pink Horse. In this movie he doesn't feel like Marlowe, a Marlowe who can take and give a hard punch. The first confrontation he takes a punch that results in a black eye but it leaves him unconscious! Dick Powell- the surprise Philip Marlowe of all time-and Humphery Bogart-one of the best Marlowes of all time-would've required a shot from Moose Malloy or a sap to the head by some strong arm thugs to go down from one blow like that. Perhaps it was her reaction to a camera instead of an actor that made Audrey Totter seem chilled in their "scenes" together rather than Claire Trevor's cold hearted user and Lauren Bacall's cool cynic in the earlier Marlowe incantations. And MGM was never at that time at least a studio known for hardboiled,gritty crime dramas. The Christmas carols though were a nice touch and Lloyd Nolan who should have played the lead was good as usual in his role as the crooked cop. Nolan had played a PI in some Michael Shayne Bs before the noir cycle began so he knew the mannerisms and Philip Marlowe a tarnished knight with principles would've been a perfect fit. All in all Lady In The Lake is noteworthy for it's groundbreaking experiment, the appeasement of a fading leading man's ego (not the last time either)and some vision into the world of Chandler's alter ego. George Montgomery as Philip Marlowe? Blasphemy! James Garner- a 60s laidback version suitable but also a precursor to Jim Rockford who had his Chandler moments. Roert Mitchum was Philip Marlowe both in looks and world weariness a perfect match only Bogart equals him. Mr. Montgomery would ride a pink carousel horse to better success.