Murder, My Sweet

Murder, My Sweet.  Dick Powell stars as private eye Philip Marlowe in this 1944 film adaptation of a classic LA crime novel by famed writer Raymond Chandler. Director Edward Dmytryk used all the film noir trappings starting with the the darkened police interrogation room with the single light glaring into the suspect's eyes, after which the story enfolds in flashback.

Dick Powell departs from the boyish musical roles that made him a star in the 30s to play a hard boiled, wise-cracking private eye who is tough but vulnerable at the same time. This film revitalized his career. Claire Trevor, an always excellent actress, revitalized her own career playing the femme fatale, and Anne Shirley is fine as the"good" woman. 

I love Mike Mazurki in this film. This Ukrainian immigrant somehow managed to graduate from Fordham Law school, but then become a professional wrestler before gravitating to Hollywood where his craggy face and large body enabled him to carve out a career as a tough, menacing figure. He is unforgettable as Moose Malloy.

Here is a link to Eddie Muller's informative intro.

Dick Powell and Claire Trevor