I'm not sure you can call yourself an oldie film fan until you have seen this noir classic. Written by Billy Wilder, along with Raymond Chandler, and James M. Cain in 1944, it stars Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, and Edward G. Robinson. Directed by Mr. Wilder and produced (uncredited by the way) by Buddy G. DeSylva and Joseph Sistrom. The scene opens to Walter Neff (MacMurray) walking into his bosses' office after having a troublesome night to record the story as of late, the story of how he murdered a man for money and a broad, and how it ended up hurting him in the end.
As his story begins we see the spectacular Spanish house that Stanwyck's character, Phyllis lives in with her insatiable husband. This house is a great example of the beauty that Los Angeles was in the 1940's .
With all that is torn down and demolished in Hollywood, it pleases me to say that the house is still there and virtually unchanged with exception to the garage door and some landscaping.
Neff sells insurance and as the maid lets him in he gets a glimpse of Phyllis in a towel. She is half naked but gets dressed to come and see what Neff is all about. Right away Neff wants more than just to sell insurance.
Neff gives her the sales pitch with some quick witted flirting, perfectly written by Wilder and team, and perfectly executed by MacMurray and Stanwyck. She mentions she wants accident insurance for her hubby but that she doesn't want him to know about it. She tells him to come back in a few days when her husband is supposedly going to be home. Neff thinks she is up to something but doesn't care as he practically drools out the door.
Neff tries to concentrate at work but can't stop thinking about Phyllis. Boss Barton Keyes played masterfully by Robinson and Neff talk insurance business. Keyes is no nonsense and relies on his gut to help him decide which insurance claims are fraud and which ones are legit. You don't mess with Edward.
Before Neff can plan his next move, Phyllis shows up at his place. I don't want to give too much away, so if you haven't seen the film yet, beware. This is a rare oldie that keeps you on the edge of your seat, so this is your official spoiler alert! Needless to say as the sparks fly a plan is hatched to knock off the husband, make it look like an accident, collect insurance money, and live happily ever after.
The plan seems to work until Keyes hears about it and gets that gut feeling.
Neff is super paranoid and after a few close calls he only wants to meet Phyllis at the grocery store.
A great set designed by Davis S. Hall and his art department team at Paramount including Hans Dreier, Hal Pereira, and Bertram Granger. Together these men earned a total of 48 Oscar nominations and 6 wins in their careers. They know their stuff!
Phyllis goes for the "discrete" look by wearing sunglasses indoors.
Tensions starts to rise as Neff is worried the plan is going to fail and Phyllis gets mad that Neff won't hang out with her unless they are purchasing food.
Their love is being complicated by Neff's paranoia, his boss, and the attention that Phyllis desires as she chose him over her late husband. The pressure is intense for Neff and he finds himself not sure what to do. A definite cliff hanger, which is rare in old films, that you will have to watch to find out.
Wilder had no trouble getting male lead for this part, many wanted it including George Raft, Alan Ladd, and Dick Powell. Wilder wanted Barbara but she was worried about her reputation playing an adulteress. Wilder asked her," Are you an actress or a mouse?" She was so furious she signed on that instant. Edward didn't want the part as he was far from the lead, but after learning he was receiving the same salary as Barb and Fred he agreed, and we are all glad he did. He might have been third billing, but his intensity brought to the film makes it all the more suspenseful. A fun goof in this film is where Neff and Phyllis first kiss. You get a glimpse of Fred's personal wedding ring on his finger, as in reality he was married to wife Lillian Wehmhoener for 17 years until her death. It wasn't noticed until post production. Ohhps! Double Indemnity was nominated for 7 Academy Awards for Barbara, and Billy, including best picture, but it won none, losing to Going My Way for best picture.
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