Dietrichsons stanford reunion is coming up, and he plans to take the train. This study guide consists of approximately 51 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of double indemnity. On every level writing, direction, acting double indemnity 1944 is a triumph and stands as one of the greatest achievements in billy wilders career. Walter huff was an insurance salesman with an unfailing instinct for clients who might be in trouble, and his instinct led him to phyllis nirdlinger. And end it with the hero saying i love you, too to edward g. Whereas postmans frank chambers just kind of falls into murder. Cain this study guide consists of approximately 51 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of double indemnity. The film hews very close to the book for the most part though it eliminates some revelations about phyllis, but the ending is both spatially and temporally more compact. In the world of crime fiction, we might shudder at the thought of phyllis nirdlinger, the determined husbandkiller in james m. Double indemnity and the hollywood production code b.
Directed by billy wilder and adapted from a james m. Walter huff, an insurance agent, falls for the married phyllis nirdlinger, who consults him about accident. Selected essays the simple art of murder writers in hollywood twelve notes on the mystery story notes on english and american style introduction to the simple art. We have been open for 17 years and we thoroughly enjoy connecting readers to books. Its my understanding that in one version of fan fiction, or fanfic, the writer creates a new ending for a wellknown work. Bill hader is a saturday night live cast member and has appeared in the films superbad, pineapple express, adventureland, and paul, among others. In double indemnity, the makeup on barbara stanwyck mistake there. First published in 1936, this novel reaffirmed james m. Double indemnity is a 1944 american film noir directed by billy wilder, cowritten by wilder and raymond chandler, and produced by buddy desylva and joseph sistrom. Double indemnity is a 1944 film noir directed by billy wilder. My realworld book group recently read double indemnity, by james m. Double indemnity is the story of an insurance salesman who tries to use the actions of a beautiful woman to receive death insurance from her husband by killing him fred macmurray and barbara stanwick play the leading roles in this chilling noir film by billy wilder, originally a novel by james m. Although cain has been accused of merely writing a rehash of postman, i found double indemnity to be a much darker tale. Like most hardboiled crime literature of the 1930s and 1940s, double indemnity paints a picture of humanity as corrupt and evil.
He was to get half on signing and the other half if the script was approved by the hays office. Sister combines well drawn relationships with a clever plot and that makes it extremely difficult to put down. Hardboiled film noir add to my bookmarks export citation. The novel was successful and notorious upon publication. In the book double indemnity, smitten walter says of phyllis physical charms, i wasnt the only one that knew about that shape. Billy wilders double indemnity 1944 and the phenomenon. Double indemnity director billy wilder sunset boulevard and writer raymond chandler the big sleep adapted james m. Billy wilders classic film noir double indemnity with seven nominations and no wins, one of the best, but darkest films ever up for a best picture award, based on james m. Double indemnity is a 1944 film noir directed by billy wilder, cowritten by wilder and raymond chandler, and produced by buddy desylva and joseph sistrom. Barbara stanwyck, 82, an actress whose more than 80 films included the classic double indemnity, in which she played a sultry blonde tramp who tried to kill her husband, and who later played the.
Complete summary of double indemnity 1944 a car swerves through downtown streets at night. The hero is not a criminal, but a weak man who is tempted and succumbs. Double indemnity is the second book i read of james m. The girl with a clock for a heart, by peter swanson. The final scene in the house in double indemnity yes, that was beautiful. We described a femme fatale as being beautiful, one who leads the main character into danger, and feigns naivete or weakness to hide manipulative goals. After going home she goes to the office of campbell alexander in order to hire him to sue her parents for the right to her own body. The double indemnity house, from book to film to reality. And the night exteriors in that picture, the glistening train tracks. The contents of that farce, if by some horrible misfortune youve never seen double indemnity, nor know aught of its plot, is an insurance fraud scheme. The main characters of double indemnity, walter huff and phyllis nordlinger, are much more evil than frank chambers and cora papadakis, the murdering adulterers of the postman always rings twice. The character has the same name in both the book and the movie. The times literary supplement london hammetts prose is clean and entirely unique.
An american novelist, writer of crime fiction featuring the private detective philip marlowe, raymond thornton chandler was born in chicago of an american father and an angloirish mother. Cain novel by wilder and raymond chandler, double indemnity represents the highwater mark of. In the meantime, cain wrote double indemnity, another story of a man swept up in a. Neither rhode island nor upper darby are really integral to the storyhonestly, my sisters keeper could have been set in any predominantly white suburban townbut there is a slightly deeper meaning to the choice of upper darby as the site of this legal brouhaha. The maltese falcon is not only probably the best detective story we have ever read, it is an exceedingly well written novel. In compiling his top ten criterion editions, hader says, i couldnt pick ten. If i had to choose between the novel and the film if i were stranded on a deserted ship and forced to lighten my load to avoid sinking. The double indemnity novel community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context. Walter huff was an insurance salesman with an unfailing instinct for clients who might be in trouble, and his instinct led. Robinson, who normally insisted top billing but signed up as supporting. Until a few months ago, i hadnt seen any of it at all.
Neither rhode island nor upper darby are really integral to the storyhonestly, my sister s keeper could have been set in any predominantly white suburban townbut there is a slightly deeper meaning to the choice of upper darby as the site of this legal brouhaha. Sep 17, 20 since we talked mostly about femme fatales in class, i focused mainly on the one introduced in last weeks film, double indemnity. For the three principal actors, this american noir was the best decision they made in their careers, especially edward g. Whereas postmans frank chambers just kind of falls into murder, walter huff. Differences between siblings couldnt be more extreme than they are in this overwrought feelgood novel by hannah distant shores, a tale about two estranged sisters. The double bind by chris bohjalian, paperback barnes. Cains 1943 novella of the same name, which originally appeared as an eightpart serial in liberty magazine, beginning in february 1936 the film stars fred macmurray as an insurance salesman. What really happens at the end of my sisters keeper. The postman always rings twice is a 1934 crime novel by james m.
Dietrichson died on a train because the accident policy has a double indemnity clause that pays double on certain rare accidents, like deaths on trains. I didnt see the ending coming and as a result the book kept me gripped until the final word. The dark, witty script follows the book pretty closely, but chandlers contributions are key. Double indemnity femme fatale films from literature. Cains hardboiled novel into this wildly thrilling story of insurance man walter neff fred macmurray, who schemes the perfect murder with the beautiful dame phyllis dietrichson barbara stanwyck. Other important writers of the hardboiled school are george. Bill haders top 10 the current the criterion collection. So i was pleased that chris of our usual suspects discussion group selected double indemnity. The maltese falcon by dashiell hammett, paperback barnes.
It is regarded as one of the more important crime novels of the 20th century. Sep 14, 2009 in any case, the double indemnity house looks much better today than it did in double indemnity. Cains double indemnity, or more recently, desiree stone. The long goodbye and double indemnity are familiar to even casual fans of noir and i think i prefer the screen treatment of indemnity to the book rare, i know. The films influence is firmly cemented and continues to this day. Differences between my sisters keeper book vs movie page 1. The book grapples with big questions about medical ethics. The film is known for setting the standard for its genre some argue it being one of the first and putting wilders name on the map as an innovative director. Billy wilders double indemnity 1944 and the phenomenon of american film noir by david walsh and joanne laurier 28 july 2015 as part of an eightfilm series, turner classic movies, the us. I love historical true crime done well, and since my little grey cells were tired and needed a.
These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of double indemnity by director billy wilder. Apr 30, 2012 the book was very good and the movie probably has its own merit if you dont read the book. Its main differences are in the dialogue chandler believed cains dialogue wouldnt translate well to the screen and the use of the framing device of neff recounting the. In the end, lola did not result to be as malicious and terrible to huff, but still. Aug 01, 2004 azusa pacific universitys softball team is doubly protected from loss or damage. Chandler novel, from the sternwood sisters in the big sleep through helen. What are the 3 themes of the story double indemnity. This bastardization can be seen in how all three of the films major company men, norton, keys, and neff, act within the corporate system. It was really good, but the movie was so different. That said, with this book you are likely saving money based on the amount of content between the covers. Near the end of their first semester, after lianas roommate goes home.
Barton keyes is the dogged, determined investigator for general fidelity of california who puts it all together in double indemnity, james m. The novel quickly made its way to hollywood, where the hays production. Wilder was known for his tendency to remove vital scenes from final prints of his films. Double indemnity 1944 frequently asked questions imdb. I was initially worried going into double indemnity as found a few scenarios sounded almost identical to what i read the postman always rings twice where the wife of a rich business man teams up with her lover to plot her husbands murder. James mallahan cain was born at the opposite end of the american psychic. Double indemnity has one of the most familiar noir themes. He attended dulwich college and studied languages in france and germany before returning to england in 1907 and.
Walter huff, an insurance agent, falls for the married phyllis nirdlinger, who consults him about accident insurance for her unsuspecting husband. Cain, virtuoso of the roman noir, gives us a tautly narrated and excruciatingly suspenseful story in double indemnity, an xray view of guilt, of duplicity, and of the kind of obsessive, loveless love that devastates everything it touches. If you are looking for a used book, visit our store in pawleys island, call or email us. Barton keyes arranges an escape to mexico via ship for walter huff walter neffs.
The movie would only contain maybe the skeletal structure of the book and nothing else. My sister cannot believe that i call myself a fan of noir and i have never seen the film version of double indemnity in its entirety. With juniors and twin sisters rachel and megan alkire, the 2004 nationally ranked cougar team boasts a solid backbone of strength and talent. Both are attracted not so much by the crime as by the thrill of committing it with the other person. Double indemnity, published in 1934, is cains second novel and is set in the young, booming city of hollywood. This is a quality blu ray experience with lots of special features to entertain for hours, including the double indemnity tv movie from 1973. So i programmed criterion double features, which is what i tend to do on sunday. Type chapter authors gaylyn studlar page start 380 page end 389 is part of book title film analysis. The strange love of martha ivers general discussions. Double indemnity provides a picture of how the corporate system itself wears down morality and twists men into cynical parodies of the helpful agents that they publicly claim to be. The small moments in this film provide all the character development and the grim ending feels like the realistic results of normal people attempting to commit a heinous crime. The novels mix of sexuality and violence was startling in its. Chris bohjalian is the author of twenty books, including the guest room.
Film ends quite a bit differently from the book, but bottom line is that these two main characters really deserve each other. Double indemnity apu articles azusa pacific university. This is a story of seedy seduction, double dealing and intrigue leading to ultimate doom. Sally not my usual typr of read but i really enjoyed this book. And what we have here is my fanfic alternate ending for the movie version of double indemnity, complete with product placement. In spite of his instinctual decency, and intrigued by the challenge of committing the perfect murder. Lobby card reproductions, and 1 alternate ending still. Double indemnity, james mallahan cain double indemnity is a 1943 crime novel, written by american journalistturnednovelist james m. And im the guy that has to sit here up to my neck in phony claims so they wont throw more money out the window than they take in at the door.
Double indemnity had to fight objections to its content, two screenwriters who hated working together, two stars who werent sure they could handle their respective roles, and an ending. In this double story, the woman and man tempt one another. Still, he is savvy enough to get through the door and get the prospect talking, except that when he makes a call to a certain mr. The first two novels are both prime chandler, if not as well known as some others. The double indemnity novel community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. The girl with a clock for a heart, by peter swanson the. Cains novel double indemnity, the story that is the basis for the film, is hard to beat for its noir characteristics, specifically its lack of redemption for all its characters. The book starts off with anna selling some of her belongings in a pawn shop. Oct 12, 2014 october 12, 2014 alexander owers double indemnity, gcse media studies, phyllis dietrichson, walter neff 1 comment this murder scene from double indemnity has many interesting and intelligent camera, sound, lighting, miseenscene and editing uses, all used to emphasise certain parts of the scene and create particular moods and feelings. One a normal day in the summer of 1937, walter travels to the home of one of his clients on a perfectly normal trip to discuss renewing the mans automobile insurance. There are a lot of similarities, especially the voice of walter huff, the murderous insurance salesman walter neff in the film, but there are many differences as.
Humans are selfserving and greedy, ruled by their baser passions. The double indemnity novel community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and. That early in his career, he was already cocky enough to begin a thriller with the lines, i killed him for money and for a woman. Classic book from which the film noir of the same name is based. In a city where insurance salesmen are close to the bottom of the social pecking order, walter huff rates as average. Retrouvez the postman always rings twice, double indemnity, mildred pierce, and. Upper darby is a fictional rhode island town near providence.
If i were teaching a course on adapting novels into screenplays, i would use this book and the billy wilder film. Another successor was raymond chandler 18881959, whose novels, such as the big sleep 1939, farewell, my lovely 1940, and the little sister 1949, deal with corruption and racketeering in southern california. Cain s 1943 novella of the same name, which originally appeared as an eightpart serial in liberty magazine, beginning in february 1936. Tautly narrated and excruciatingly suspenseful, double indemnity gives us an xray view of guilt, of duplicity, and of the kind of obsessive, loveless love that devastates everything it touches. Double indemnity is the story of insurance salesman walter huff who, in paying a. Still, as far as the book goes, hes a relatively minot character.
The novel was inspired by the reallife 1927 snydergray case. Double indemnity essays are academic essays for citation. That being said there is no question that double indemnity is the superior film but then double indemnity is also one of the quintessential noirs. These three classics from the master of the noir novel, along with five otherwise. In 1945, billy wilder directed and cowrote the script with raymond chandler and double indemnity was nominated for seven academy awards including best picture. Cain novel by director wilder and novelist raymond chandler, it tells the story of an insurance salesman, played by fred macmurray, who is lured into a murderforinsurance plot by barbara stanwyck, in an. The driver stumbles to the office of the pacific all risk insurance company and begins to record his confession about killing a man named dietrichson. The ending is but one example of why i like the book more. Someone told me that the ending of the book is different than the ending in the movie. Double indemnity is a term used in life insurance policies, a clause requiring the company to pay double in cases of accidental death. The reason her parents had her in the first place, she explains, was so that she could donate bone marrow to her older sister. Mature landscaping and the presence of other houses have softened its exterior, eliminating the sunbaked starkness that made it a believable setting for adultery and the hatching of a murder plot. The postman always rings twice audiobook by james m.
Double indemnity 99 movie clip i love you too 1944. Bfi what marks double indemnity out from other great film noirs is that sense, among all the crazy, twisted, duplicitous shenanigans, of real, human heartbreak. Does my head look big in this 1 dolly a ghost story 1 dombey and son 5 domestic manners of the americans 1 don quixote book i 12 dora an analysis of a case of hysteria 2 doris lessing stories 3 dostoevsky the short fiction 4 double indemnity 3 double indemnity novel 1 doubt a parable 2 dr jekyll and mr hyde 12 dr. A comingofage drama about two outcast sisters katharine isabelle, emily. Double indemnity is tame by todays standards, but for those who want to see how the noir film genre got its start, it has much to offer. Chriss work has been translated into more than thirty languages, and three novels have become movies secrets of eden. Double indemnity 31 scheming, having himself thought before how you could crook the house, and thus the shock at the dietrichson house must be more one of recognition than revelation. The way theyll write anything just to get it down on the sales sheet. This edition not only includes the postman always rings twice, double indemnity, and mildred peirce, but also includes several of captain cains short stories that are no longer in print.
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