Dick Powell
“Murder, My Sweet” (1944)
Philip Marlowe’s screen debut, based on Chandler’s second novel Farewell, My Lovely, has always been overshadowed by Howard Hawks’ The Dead Sleep Tight. In terms of production, Edward Dmytryk’s film, with its camera work and numerous surreal effects, is one of the highlights of the genre. Dick Powell’s Marlowe is pretty close to Chandler’s vision. Previously, everyone involved had shaken their heads about the commitment of the popular musical star. “The idea of a man who previously sang ‘Tiptoe through the Tulips’ playing a hardened private detective was beyond our imagination,” Dmytryk later wrote. (4/5 stars)