The Blue Dahlia (1946) | |
| Director(s) | George Marshall |
| Producer(s) | John Houseman, George Marshall (associate uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Crime, Drama, Film Noir, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense |
| Top Topics | |
Featured Cast:
The Blue Dahlia Overview:
The Blue Dahlia (1946) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by George Marshall and produced by John Houseman and George Marshall.
SYNOPSIS
When Johnny Morrison returns home at the end of the war, he expects to receive a warm welcome from his wife. Instead, he discovers that she's been unfaithful to him with the owner of the Blue Dahlia nightclub. After a heated argument, he storms out of their house. Later that night, she's murdered - and Johnny winds up the prime suspect. Joyce Harwood, the estranged wife of the club's proprietor, lends Johnny a hand and the two fall in love while tracking down the killer. This film noir classic was Chandler's first original story written directly for the screen.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
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Academy Awards 1946 --- Ceremony Number 19 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Writing | Raymond Chandler | Nominated |
The Blue Dahlia BlogHub Articles:
Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake, and William Bendix in “The Blue Dahlia”
By Stephen Reginald on Aug 5, 2025 From Classic Movie ManAlan Ladd, Veronica Lake, and William Bendix in “The Blue Dahlia” The Blue Dahlia is a 1946 film noir, directed by George Marshall, about Johnny Morrison (Alan Ladd), a decorated naval aviator who returns home from the war to find his wife, Helen (Doris Dowling), has been unfaithful... Read full article
Review of “The Blue Dahlia” at #NoirCityChicago
By Stephen Reginald on Aug 19, 2018 From Classic Movie ManReview of “The Blue Dahlia” at #NoirCityChicago I went to see The Blue Dahlia, at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave, Chicago, last night. The 1946 Paramount release, directed by George Marshall was presented in a clean 35mm print. The original screenplay from detective st... Read full article
The Blue Dahlia (1946)
By 4 Star Film Fan on Jun 15, 2017 From 4 Star FilmsSoldiers returning home from war is a recurring theme in films such as The Best Years of Our Lives and Act of Violence and given the circumstances it makes sense. This was the reality. Men returning home from war as heroes. But even heroes have to re-acclimate to the world they left behind. Blue Dah... Read full article
The Blue Dahlia (1946)
By 4 Star Film Fan on Jun 15, 2017 From 4 Star FilmsSoldiers returning home from war is a recurring theme in films such as The Best Years of Our Lives and Act of Violence and given the circumstances it makes sense. This was the reality. Men returning home from war as heroes. But even heroes have to re-acclimate to the world they left behind. Blue Dah... Read full article
Raymond Chandler's "The Blue Dahlia"
By Rick29 on Jan 7, 2016 From Classic Film & TV CafeThe Blue Dahlia nightclub. "As pictures go, it is pretty lively. No classic, but no dud either." That's how Raymond Chandler described the movie made from his only original screenplay in a 1946 letter. Chandler was typically critical of his work. In fact, The Blue Dahlia is a very good film noir. ... Read full article
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Quotes from The Blue Dahlia
Johnny Morrison: [after being picked up] You gotta have more sense than to take chances with strangers like this.
Joyce Harwood: It's funny but practically all the people were strangers when I met them. I'm going to Malibu. Is that any use to you?
Johnny Morrison: What's in Malibu?
Joyce Harwood: Houses, people. I have some friends there.
Eddie Harwood: Half the cops in L.A. are looking for you.
Johnny Morrison: Only half?
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Facts about The Blue Dahlia
Some sources erroneously include Harold J. Stone in an undetermined, uncredited minor role; Stone does not appear in this film in any capacity. At the time it was filmed (in Hollywood), he was in New York City appearing on the stage in a prominent role in "A Bell for Adano" (1944-1945).
Raymond Chandler, who wrote the screenplay, claimed that producer John Houseman was in "the doghouse" and director George Marshall "was a stale old hack who had been directing for thirty years without once having achieved any real distinction", so Chandler went on to the Paramount set to direct some of the scenes himself.
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