The Big Sleep

I took my second step into film noir a couple of days ago. I watched another Humphrey Bogart movie, this time:

The Big Sleep (1946).

Directed by Howard Hawks and also starring Lauren Bacall, John Ridgely and Martha Vickers amongst others, The Big Sleep is an archetype for the noir genre, just as much if not more than The Maltese Falcon. Both were instrumental in cementing certain tropes since both were based on novels by some of the biggest names in the detective fiction of the time.

In The Big Sleep, Bogart plays private eye, Philip Marlowe (as opposed to Sam Spade in the Falcon). He is hired by a retired general Sternwood to handle a blackmail case. In the process he meets the generals two daughters, the beautiful but impossible Carmen and her dangerous older sister Vivian (Bacall). The case leads in several directions at once, with murders, beatings, shoot outs and romance. As usual, I won't spoil anything further, but this is not a dull movie by any means.

The actors are great, especially Bogart and Bacall. Bogart was drinking heavily at the time and the studio had to cap his intake to one beer at lunch. Still, he produces quality acting throughout. Marlowe is cheeky, cocky and calm as a cucumber. At least most of the time.

Bacall is elegant and seductive throughout. Even when in mortal peril she keeps it together, but not without subtle hints that Vivian really is scared.

The plot is good, but a bit too complicated. There were times when I lost track a bit, since the cast is pretty big and names are tossed about at a rapid-fire pace. Everything is explained in the end, but I did have to read a synopsis to make sure I understood it correctly. There are layers within layers and the storytelling could have been a little bit smoother. It is by no means a deal breaker, just an observation.

 

Fun fact: When Marlowe meets both daughters, both comment on his lack of height, like this;

Carmen Sternwood: You're not very tall, are you?

Philip Marlowe: Well, I, uh, I tried to be.

And

Vivian: So you're a private detective? I didn't know they existed, except in books, or else they were greasy little men snooping around hotel corridors. My, you're a mess, aren't you?

Philip Marlowe: I'm not very tall either. Next time I'll come on stilts, wear a white tie and carry a tennis racket.

Vivian: I doubt if even that would help.

This was because Bogart wore platform shoes to make him noticeably taller than the ladies and they couldn't help poke a little fun at it.

Another fun fact is that Marlowe comments several times that Vivian is shaking. She brushes it off every time with excuses like “I'm not used to being kidnapped”. In truth, Bogart and Bacall were having an affair and her nerves were worn thin not knowing whether he would leave his wife for her, making her shake in real life. In the end they did, and they stayed married until his death in 1957. Bacall carried on and passed in 2014.

Final fun fact. The Warner Bros. executives were so impressed with Bacall that even though this was only her fourth movie, they increased her salary from $350/week to $1000/week. How often does something like that happen?

So do I recommend this movie? Absolutely! It is a quintessential film noir as well as a great detective/mystery in general. As with The Maltese Falcon, you should absolutely watch it unless black and white really annoys you.

That's that and all that. Join me again next time and until then, have a great and safe week!