The Big Sleep

Crime, Mystery, Film Noir

Humphrey Bogart	Philip Marlowe
Lauren Bacall	Vivian Sternwood Rutledge
John Ridgely	Eddie Mars
Martha Vickers	Carmen Sternwood
Peggy Knudsen	Mona Mars
Regis Toomey	Bernie Ohls
Charles Waldron	Gen. Sternwood
Charles D. Brown	Norris
Bob Steele	Lash Canino
Dorothy Malone	Acme Bookstore proprietress

Director	Howard Hawks
Producer	Howard Hawks; Jack L. Warner
Writer	Leigh Brackett; Raymond Chandler; William Faulkner; Jules Furthman
Cinematography	Sidney Hickox
Musician	Max Steiner

This classic Hollywood "film noir" is a 1946 adaptation of Raymond Chandler's detective novel. Private detective Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) is hired by a wealthy socialite General Sternwood (Charles Waldron) to resolve a blackmailing case and protect his rebellious young daughter, Carmen (Martha Vickers), who might get into deeper trouble, putting the whole Sternwoods family in danger. But soon, Marlowe finds himself in love with her older sister, Vivian (Lauren Bacall), a very attractive young woman, who takes a suspiciously avid interest in Marlowe's activities, trying to pin down out exactly what he was hired to do. As the story develops, one murder follows another, leaving for the detective more false clues than answers, which lead to murderers, pornographers, nightclub rogues, the spoiled rich and more. It seems one, or both of the daughters may be involved in the killings, and it becomes increasingly difficult for Marlowe to help them. As complicated as it can possibly be, the film is nonetheless very entertaining and atmospheric.