Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Dick Powell had an excellent upbringing in the musical theatre film back lot in the early part of his career. He learned to sing, dance, and act and this exposure to the elements of delivery timing is what allows him his great performance in "Murder, My Sweet".

Initially titled "Farewell My Lovely" by Raymond Chandler, the title was changed by RKO marketing after the screening in Minneapolis in 1944. The film title was changed to "Murder, My Sweet" to butch up the demographics and avoid anyone thing it was another Dick Powell musical.

This newly re-mastered DVD of the 95-minute, 1945 release of the film is an excellent print, with a high contrast of light to dark, what Edward Dmytryk likened to true chiaroscuro.

This film predates "The Big Sleep" and utilizes the finest array of Noir film techniques.

Told in flashback the story concerns Moose Mallory, fresh out of jail, hiring Marlowe to find his lost love Velma. At nearly the same time A dandy Marriott hires Marlowe to accompany him to a secluded location to buy back a string of jade that was stolen. At the buy-back location Marriott is killed and Marlowe is slugged unconscious. When Ann shows up the next day pretending to be a reporter writing about he murdered Marriott, Marlowe discovers that she is really Mrs. Grayle's stepdaughter and he goes with her to meet the parents, and further investigate to find out who the murderer is. Marlowe finds out that Mrs. Grayle, is a trophy wife and has a personal agenda that hints at learning about Marlowe in a private activity (nudge, nudge; wink, wink...).

When Marlowe is kidnapped, beaten, and drugged, he begins to put he two cases of the missing Velma, and the Jade Necklace Robbery/Murder together, and sets up a meeting to bring all the active players together. The truth comes out but a little too violently and Marlowe is one of the more-than-bruised participants.

It's said that Francois Truffaut, Andre Bazin, and Jean Luc Goddard considered "Murder, My Sweet" the best of the Noir wave of films flowing from the post-World War II United States.

Goddard's own "Breathless" is a re-do of the Noir sensibilities, set in Paris, and an homage to Film Noir.

The DVD is not heavy on the features but still has some good additions:
- Commentary by Author/Film-Noir Specialist Alain Silver
- Theatrical Trailer
- Subtitles in English, French, and Spanish
The commentary by Alain Silver has some great humor on it's own merit as we can laugh at the humor in the humor of the film.

The Turner Classic Movies Video edition contains a very nice doc with director Edward Dmytryk, that includes history of Dick Powell and his musical film background and how "Murder, My Sweet" was largely pushed through by Powell.

Fav lines:
Marlowe: "I felt okay- like an amputated leg".

Marlowe: "Remarks want you to make 'em. They got their tongues hangin' out waitin' to be said"

Mrs. Grayle: "I find men very attractive"
Marlowe: "I imagine they meet you half-way"

Marlowe: "She had a face like a Sunday-School picnic".

Dick Powell turned his career around from a total low B-lister to a top line A-player in Hollywood with this film. It is said that he beat out Fred mercury for the role of Phillip Marlowe, and his persona is what makes the role so memorable.

Powell has a slightly fleshy face, and a soft, warm presence, which stands in contrast to the hard world, and the hard characters that confront him in the film.

Make no mistake, Dick Powell's timing is perfect at playing off a quirky sense of humor against the shadowy morals, and ethical erosion that Marlowe is dealing with in the film.

Moose Malloy played by the consummate character actor Mike Mazurski is a stand out in a roll that he played in other film Noir productions like "Night and The City".

It has been said that Claire Trevor (Mrs. Grayle/Velma), and Ann Shirley (Ann) initially wanted to exchange roles because each of them had a long history of playing the characters they were cast with.

Claire Trevor had played so many Femme Fatales that she wanted to stretch into a different role. Trevor was honored with an Academy Award in 1948 for her performance in "Key Largo".

The nightmarish drug-addled mind bending of Marlowe is a standout, as is the quick bit he has of striking a match on the rump of a Cupid Statue. It is bits like these and the great one-liners that make the film a pleasure.

Too bad that the doc with Edward Dmytryk that accompanied the Video from TCM isn't included!

Best price I found on line is half.com for $9.99 for the DVD, and $6.50 for VHS.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older