The Blue Dahlia a Film Noir Murder Mystery

Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake Star in Suspense Movie Filmed in 1946

Sep 3, 2009 Christine Nyholm

Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake star in The Blue Dahlia (1946) is a classic film noir based on a story written by detective writer Raymond Chandler.

The Blue Dahlia is a film noir starring Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake in murder mystery filmed in 1946. The story was written by Raymond Chandler, famed as the writer of hard boiled detective novels. The Blue Dahlia was directed by George Marshall and produced by John Houseman.

The Blue Dahlia a Murder Mystery

Alan Ladd portrays Johnny Morrison as a World War II vet who returned home to find his alcoholic wife Helen Morrison (Doris Dowling) kissing a new boyfriend, Eddie Harwood (Howard Da Silva). Eddie Harwood was the owner of The Blue Dahlia nightclub that the movie was named after.

Helen admitted that her alcoholism caused the death of their son. She had been driving while intoxicated and had a car accident, killing their boy. Angry, Johnny pulled a gun on her but decided she was not worth the bullet.

Johnny left their apartment and happened to meet Joyce Harwood (Veronica Lake), the wife of the man Johnny, the owner of the Blue Dahlia, the man Johnny caught kissing his wife.

Johnny and Joyce were instantly attracted to each other, but when he heard radio news that his wife had been found murdered he fled. Joyce pursued him and helped him as he tried to avoid the law and find out what happened to his unfaithful wife.

Alan Ladd portrayed the cool tough guy unsure whether this was a setup. Johnny races to solve the crime and prove his innocence. Veronica Lake portrayed the beautiful femme fatale, the perfect foil for the hero of this suspense mystery.

Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake

Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake were paired in four movies including the Blue Dahlia (1946) , This Gun for Hire (1942), The Glass Key (1942) and Saigon (1948). The two actors looked like they belonged together. They were each considered diminutive in size and were cool looking, attractive blondes.

Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake shared more then screen chemistry. They were both alcoholics who died fairly young from complications due to alcohol use. Alan Ladd (1913 – 1964) died of cerebral edema caused by chemical depressants at the age of 50. Veronica Lake (1919 – 1973) died of hepatitis at the age of 53.

Cast of the Blue Dahlia

• Alan Ladd as Johnny Morrison / Jimmy Moore
• Veronica Lake as Joyce Harwood
• William Bendix as Buzz Wanchek
• Howard Da Silva as Eddie Harwood
• Doris Dowling as Helen Morrison
• Hugh Beaumont as George Copeland
• Tom Powers as Captain Hendrickson
• Directed by George Marshall
• Produced by John Houseman
• Written by Raymond Chandler
• Distributed by Paramount Pictures.

The Blue Dahlia can sometimes be seen on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) on cable television. The movie is also available of DVD.

Resources: Turner Classic Movies

Man in the Net a Mystery Starring Alan Ladd

The copyright of the article The Blue Dahlia a Film Noir Murder Mystery in Classic Films is owned by Christine Nyholm. Permission to republish The Blue Dahlia a Film Noir Murder Mystery in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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