Double Indemnity (1944) | |
| Director(s) | Billy Wilder |
| Producer(s) | Buddy G. DeSylva (executive uncredited), Joseph Sistrom (uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Crime, Film Noir, Thriller/Suspense |
| Top Topics | Book-Based, Infidelity |
Featured Cast:
Double Indemnity Overview:
Double Indemnity (1944) was a Crime - Film Noir Film directed by Billy Wilder and produced by Buddy G. DeSylva and Joseph Sistrom.
The film was based on the serial story of the same name written by James M. Cain published in Liberty Magazine and as a Novel (1936 magazine; 1943 novel).
SYNOPSIS
Perhaps the most famous film noir of all. An insurance salesman (MacMurray) looking for a bigger score than the next whole-life policy and a scheming blond viper with bangs, shades, and an intriguing anklet persuade her husband to sign a policy that pays double to accidental death - an accident they plan to make happen. MacMurray's past tense voice-over adds a rueful, bitterly world-weary tone. The electrifying script was written by Wilder and Chandler, based on the novel by James M. Cain.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.Double Indemnity was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1992.
Academy Awards 1944 --- Ceremony Number 17 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Actress | Barbara Stanwyck | Nominated |
| Best Cinematography | John Seitz | Nominated |
| Best Director | Billy Wilder | Nominated |
| Best Music - Scoring | Miklos Rozsa | Nominated |
| Best Picture | Paramount | Nominated |
| Best Writing | Billy Wilder, Raymond Chandler | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
Noir Nook: Just the Facts on Double Indemnity
By Karen Burroughs Hannsberry on Sep 12, 2019 From Classic Movie Hub BlogNoir Nook: Just the Facts on Double Indemnity Not long ago, I was interviewed on a podcast about my very favorite film noir ? Double Indemnity (1944). I had an absolute ball talking about the superb writing and direction, the distinctive cinematography and music, and the first-rate performances b... Read full article
Cinema Style File - Barbara Stanwyck Straight Down the Line in 1944's DOUBLE INDEMNITY
on Jul 8, 2019 From GlamAmorA little over a week ago, I started my Pre-Code screening series The Style of Sin at the Egyptian Theatre and my first star was Barbara Stanwyck. As we saw while watching Ladies of Leisure (1930) and Baby Face (1933), she was a talented actress from the very beginning of her career. And though a fil... Read full article
Double Indemnity (1944, Billy Wilder)
By Andrew Wickliffe on Feb 16, 2018 From The Stop ButtonDouble Indemnity is mostly a character study. There?s the noir framing device?wounded insurance salesman Fred MacMurray stumbling into his office and recording his confession on a dictaphone. Turns out he met a woman and things didn?t work out. MacMurray narrates the entire film. Occasionally the ac... Read full article
Five Things I Learned from Double Indemnity
By Amanda Garrett on Oct 15, 2016 From Old Hollywood FilmsToday, I'm writing about the lessons I learned from the classic film noir Double Indemnity (1944), starring Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, and Edward G. Robinson. This article is part of the Things I Learned from the Movies blogathon hosted by Speakeasy and Silver Screenings. There are many... Read full article
Double Indemnity (1944)
on Jul 20, 2015 From Journeys in Classic FilmOriginally published March 2012 This is my second viewing of Double Indemnity, and my first time where I actually had to study it critically as part of my Women in Film class. ?The first time I saw the movie was for an earlier film class and while I enjoyed it, I didn’t consider it anything sp... Read full article
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Quotes from
Phyllis: Do you make your own breakfast, Mr Neff?
Walter Neff: Well, I squeeze a grapefruit now and again.
Walter Neff: You'll be here too?
Phyllis: I guess so, I usually am.
Walter Neff: Same chair, same perfume, same anklet?
Phyllis: I wonder if I know what you mean.
Walter Neff: I wonder if you wonder.
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Facts about
On viewing the film's rushes, production head Buddy G. DeSylva remarked of Barbara Stanwyck's blonde wig, "We hired Barbara Stanwyck, and here we get George Washington"!
Director Billy Wilder originally filmed an ending where Keyes watches Walter Neff go to the gas chamber. It was seen only by preview audiences and was cut before the general release. The scenes contained the following actors (with their character names): George Anderson (Warden), Al Bridge (Execution Chamber Guard), Edward Hearn (Warden's Secretary), Boyd Irwin (First Doctor), George Melford (Second Doctor), William O'Leary (Chaplain) and Lee Shumway (Door Guard).
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