Laura (1944 film)
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| Laura | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical Poster |
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| Directed by | Otto Preminger |
| Produced by | Otto Preminger |
| Written by | Story: Vera Caspary Screenplay: Jay Dratler Samuel Hoffenstein Elizabeth Reinhardt |
| Starring | Gene Tierney Dana Andrews Clifton Webb Vincent Price Judith Anderson |
| Music by | David Raksin |
| Cinematography | Joseph LaShelle |
| Editing by | Louis R. Loeffler |
| Distributed by | Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. |
| Release date(s) | October 11, 1944 |
| Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Laura, an American film noir released in 1944 and directed by Otto Preminger.[1]
It stars Gene Tierney as Laura, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb, Vincent Price and Judith Anderson.
The movie was adapted from Vera Caspary's novel by Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, Elizabeth Reinhardt and Ring Lardner Jr. (uncredited). The film's first director, Rouben Mamoulian, was fired early in the film's shooting due to creative differences.
The picture tells the story of a police detective investigating a woman's murder who falls in love with her portrait.
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[edit] Plot
Laura begins with cop Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) investigating the murder of a beautiful advertising director Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney)
McPherson interviews newspaper columnist Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb), who relates how he fell under Laura's spell and used his influence and fame to advance her career. McPherson also questions Laura's fiancé, Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price); her wealthy aunt, Ann Treadwell (Judith Anderson) and Laura's loyal housekeeper, Bessie Clary (Dorothy Adams).
Through the testimony of her friends and the reading of her letters, McPherson comes to know Laura and slowly falls in love with the dead woman, particularly through her portrait. He becomes obsessive -- using the excuse of trying to solve the murder, he hangs around her apartment and is at one point accused of falling in love with a corpse (by Waldo Lydecker).
He falls asleep under her portrait, drunk, whereupon she enters, like a dream or a ghost. It was not Laura who was murdered, but Diane Redfern, a model at the advertising agency, accused by Waldo of having an affair with Shelby.
Laura's resurrection starts the detective plot spinning in new directions. Is someone trying to kill Laura? Is Laura, the woman McPherson has fallen in love with, a murderer?
[edit] Analysis
There are indications in the film that the story is something of a dream or a myth, which helps explain its impact and the way it moves beyond the standard murder mystery.
In particular, the theme of the image raises questions about the role of the movie (and the audience) as image creator. Various scenes conjure up Laura, or focus tightly on her face -- "is she only a dream"? In one powerful scene she is interrogated by Dana Andrews in a police interview room with close-up harsh lamps focused on her face.
Vertigo is perhaps the closest film to Laura in the noir genre, with a similar death and resurrection plot and an obsessive detective in love with a woman who may be a figment of his imagination.
[edit] Background
The character of Waldo Lydecker appears to be based on the columnist, broadcaster and "New Yorker" theater critic Alexander Woollcott, a famous wit who, like Waldo, was fascinated by murder. Woollcott always dined at the Algonquin Hotel, where Laura first approaches Waldo.
Otto Preminger's original idea for the film score was to use Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady." David Raksin later composed the familiar score for "Laura" over the course of a weekend, after being inspired by a "Dear David" letter he received from his wife.
[edit] Cast
- Gene Tierney as Laura Hunt
- Dana Andrews as Detective Lt. Mark McPherson
- Clifton Webb as Waldo Lydecker
- Vincent Price as Shelby Carpenter
- Judith Anderson as Mrs. Ann Treadwell
[edit] Awards
Wins
- Academy Awards: Oscar; Best Black-and-White Cinematography, Joseph LaShelle; 1945.
Nominations
- Academy Awards: Oscar; Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Clifton Webb; Best Black-and-White Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Lyle R. Wheeler Leland Fuller, and Thomas Little; Best Director, Otto Preminger; Best Screenplay Writing, Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, and Elizabeth Reinhardt; 1945.
Other distinguishments
- In 1999 the film was selected for preservation by the United States National Film Registry.
[edit] Song
The song, "Laura," was written by Johnny Mercer (lyrics) and David Raksin (music). "Laura" has since become a jazz standard recorded over 400 times; however, the best known versions are by Dick Haymes and Woody Herman.
[edit] Quotes
- Waldo Lydecker: I shall never forget the weekend Laura died. A silver sun burned through the sky like a huge magnifying glass. It was the hottest Sunday in my recollection. I felt as if I were the only human being left in New York. For with Laura's horrible death, I was alone. I, Waldo Lydecker, was the only one who really knew her.
[edit] External links
- Laura at Filmsite.org by Tim Dirks; contains spoilers.
- Laura French review by Marc Autret (French).
- Laura at All Movie Guide
Die große Liebe • Under Your Spell • Danger, Love at Work • Kidnapped • Clare Booth Luce's Margin for Error • In the Meantime, Darling • Laura • A Royal Scandal • Fallen • Centennial Summer • Forever Amber • Daisy Kenyon • That Lady in Ermine • The Fan • Whirlpool • Where the Sidewalk Ends • The 13th Letter • Angel Face • The Moon Is Blue • Die Jungfrau auf dem Dach • River of No Return • Carmen Jones • The Man with the Golden Arm • The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell • Saint Joan • Bonjour Tristesse • Porgy and Bess • Anatomy of a Murder • Exodus • Advise and Consent • The Cardinal • In Harm's Way • Bunny Lake Is Missing • Hurry Sundown • Skidoo • Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon • Such Good Friends • Rosebud • The Human Factor
