Tuesday, December 8, 2009

A little Christmas Noir. LADY IN THE LAKE (1947)


Lady in the Lake (1947) a film noir that was the first directorial film of actor Robert Montgomery who also starred in the film. Based on the 1944 Raymond Chandler novel The Lady in the Lake. Cast: Audrey Totter, Lloyd Nolan, Tom Tully, Leon Ames and Jayne Meadows.The storyline was a murder mystery similar to many others of the time. Except the entire film was seen from the viewpoint of the main character, detective Philip Marlowe, who was played by Montgomery. The idea was that the audience would see only what the character saw. The movie also did not have a musical sound track, very unusual for that time.


The story begins on Christmas Eve when Kingsby Publications editor Adrienne Fromsett (Audrey Totter) meets with Marlowe, offers him a job as a detective instead of a writer. She wants him to find the missing wife of her boss, Mr. Kingsby (Leon Ames). Adrienne wants them to hurry on with their divorce so she can marry Kingsby. Marlowe accepts the job and goes looking for clues at the home of the wife's lover, Chris Lavery (Dick Simmons). When Marlowe gets knocked out and picked up for drunk driving, he decides to drop the case when threatened by the police.. He returns when he learns that Kingsby's wife maybe to blame for the murder of the mysterious lady in the lake.


MONTGOMERY FUN FACTS:

During World War II, he joined the Navy, becoming lieutenant commander.

Montgomery has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Montgomery had two children, daughter actress Elizabeth Montgomery(Bewitched), and son, Robert Montgomery, Jr.

http://www.tcm.com/video/videoPlayer/?cid=34657&titleId=80661Click to view movie trailer. Scheduled for TCM: Jan, 20th. Check local listings to confirm show times.

2 comments:

  1. An interesting Christmas pick! :0)
    BTW, I didn't know Robert Montgomery was Elizabeth's father. You learn something new every day.

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  2. Kim, LOL...i knew no one would pick this Christmas film.:) i thought it would be a nice surprise for Noiree.:D

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