Sometimes a movie brings all its elements together perfectly — the cast, the performances, the story, the dialogue, the direction, the lighting, the music, the photography. Film noir classic “Laura” is such a movie. Detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) begins to fall in love with Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney) as he investigates her murder and gets to know her through interrogations of suspects, via flashbacks. Narrating the first half of the film is Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb), a witty and acerbic newspaper columnist who had been Laura’s mentor and confidante. Also under suspicion is Laura’s playboy fiance Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price), who has an interesting relationship with Laura’s aunt, Ann Treadwell (Judith Anderson). Part murder mystery with intriguing plot twists, and part romantic obsession, the movie is beautifully punctuated by David Raksin’s haunting “Laura’s Theme.” (88 min.)
Unrated - 1944
Starring:
Gene Tierney
Dana Andrews
Clifton Webb
Vincent Price
Judith Anderson
Director:
Otto Preminger
Writers:
Vera Caspary (novel)
Jay Dratler (screenplay)
Samuel Hoffenstein (screenplay)
Betty Reinhardt (screenplay)
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