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:
DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1973)
By Dan Day, Jr. on Apr 15, 2026 From The Hitless Wonder Movie BlogIn my last blog post, I mentioned that I had finished reading FROM THE MOMENT THEY MET IT WAS MURDER: DOUBLE INDEMNITY AND THE RISE OF FILM NOIR by Alain Silver and James Ursini. The book discusses an actual official remake of DOUBLE INDEMNITY that was produced by Universal for the ABC television ne... Read full article
Noirvember Day 29: That Double Indemnity Patter
By shadowsandsatin on Nov 29, 2024 From Shadows and SatinAs we make our way to the conclusion of Double Indemnity week, it?s a pleasure to take this opportunity to salute one of the best things about this gem: the exquisite writing. Whether it was one liners, monologues, or dialogues between characters, Double Indemnity served up some of the most deliciou... Read full article
Noirvember Day 27: Things I’m Thankful – Double Indemnity Edition
By shadowsandsatin on Nov 28, 2024 From Shadows and SatinIt’s my favorite noir and one of my favorite films of all time. So you know there’s lots about Double Indemnity that I’m thankful for. Here are just a few… The opening of the film, which depicts the silhoette of a behatted man on crutches, slowly moving toward us, accompanied... Read full article
Noirvember Day 27: The Double Indemnity Quiz
By shadowsandsatin on Nov 27, 2024 From Shadows and SatinI love lots of things ? baking sweet treats (like tonight’s apple turnovers), reorganizing cabinets, browsing the stacks at my downtown library . . . And taking classic movie quizzes. I hope you do, too, because I’m serving up a super-sized quiz on this week’s focus film, Double In... Read full article
Noirvember Day 25: Trivia Double Indemnity Tidbits
By shadowsandsatin on Nov 25, 2024 From Shadows and SatinAs we enter the last week of this year?s Noirvember celebration, what better time to dive into some trivia on our focus film? Pull up a chair and snack on some trivial tidbits on Double Indemnity . . . The first name of Phyllis?s hapless husband was never spoken. Billy Wilder was nominated for an Os... Read full article
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Quotes from
Walter Neff: Yeah, unless you got a bottle of beer that's not working.
Barton Keyes: I picked you for the job, not because I think you're so darn smart, but because I thought you were a shade less dumb than the rest of the outfit. Guess I was wrong. You're not smarter, Walter... you're just a little taller.
Walter Neff: Know why you couldn't figure this one, Keyes? I'll tell ya. 'Cause the guy you were looking for was too close. Right across the desk from ya.
Barton Keyes: Closer than that, Walter.
Walter Neff: I love you, too.
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Facts about
A different ending was shot, with Neff being caught by the police and executed while Keyes looks on in despair. Billy Wilder decided it would be poignant and fitting for both characters if instead Neff were to die in his office with Keyes by his side as he expressed his regret.
We never learn the first name of Mr. Dietrichson.
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