Flick of The Day: The Big Sleep (1946)

As noted during our look at The Maltese Falcon, Raymond Chandler is to detective fiction what Elvis Presley is to rock n roll. He is one of the most influential writers of his time and perhaps his greatest creation is Philip Marlowe. This adaptation is perhaps the most stylish and the least cogent. Today's film is The Big Sleep.

A star vehicle for Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall who by this time were married and very much the biggest stars of the day. In fact, additional scenes between the two were added to highlight their chemistry. Directed by Howard Hawks, the film is famed for its convoluted plot, and it is hard at times to follow. The important point to remember though is that essentially the story as written by Chandler is about the process of an investigation and how the characters interact rather then catching the killer. It is perhaps best to just relax and allow the plot to flow over you. Legend has it in fact that neither the director or the screenwriters who included William Faulkner knew whether one of the characters, the chauffeur had been murdered or had killed himself. They went as far sending a telegram to Chandler asking him to clarify. He later told a friend:

"They sent me a wire ... asking me, and dammit I didn't know either"

Without labouring the point or giving too much away,the plot is thus. Cynical private detective Philip Marlowe is summoned to the home of the ageing oil magnate General Sternwood. A blackmailer is attempting to obtain funds from the General in exchange for compromising photographs of his youngest daughter, Carmen. Marlowe is hired to investigate much to the chagrin of the General's eldest daughter, Vivian, played by Bacall. Marlowe soon becomes involved in the death of Arthur Geiger, a purveyor of pornography. There is also a local hood and gambling den owner named Eddie Mars involved. The rest of the plot...well you'll see for yourself.

The film's plot is muddled mostly because of the Hays code which we discussed in our review of The French Connection. Elements of the book could simply not be included in the film. Indeed if it is important to you to know that Mr Geiger is a pornographer, you will have to read the book because it is completely avoided in the film. As is any reference to drug use. This bowdlerised version of the plot makes little sense at times and often there is just so much plotting that you couldn't take it in if you tried.

As I said previously, perhaps the best thing to do is just to relax and enjoy. Lauren Bacall looks gorgeous, Bogart is as cool as ever and the film is the epitome of the '40s noir style with dark corners, sultry femme fatales and the underbelly of Los Angeles, the city of Angels.