An insurance representative is seduced by a dissatisfied housewife into a scheme of insurance fraud and murder that arouses the suspicion of his colleague, a claims investigator.An insurance representative is seduced by a dissatisfied housewife into a scheme of insurance fraud and murder that arouses the suspicion of his colleague, a claims investigator.An insurance representative is seduced by a dissatisfied housewife into a scheme of insurance fraud and murder that arouses the suspicion of his colleague, a claims investigator.
- Nominated for 7 Oscars
- 2 wins & 9 nominations total
- Stage Hand
- (uncredited)
- Pullman Porter
- (uncredited)
- Bit Part
- (uncredited)
- Train Conductor
- (uncredited)
- Conductor
- (uncredited)
- Nettie - Dietrichsons' Maid
- (uncredited)
- Norton's Secretary
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe house used as Barbara Stanwyck's character's home still stands today at 6301 Quebec Drive.
- GoofsWhen Phyllis is listening at Neff's door as he talks with Keyes, Keyes exits into the hallway and Phyllis hides behind the door. The door opens into the hallway which isn't allowed by building codes, even back then, but it does give Phyllis something to hide behind and increases the tension.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Walter Neff: Know why you couldn't figure this one, Keyes? I'll tell ya. 'Cause the guy you were looking for was too close. Right across the desk from ya.
Barton Keyes: Closer than that, Walter.
Walter Neff: I love you, too.
- Crazy creditsOpening credits are shown over a silhouette of a man on crutches, walking toward the camera.
- ConnectionsEdited into Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)
Woman and man agree to murder woman's husband but on the way to the cemetery they face grilling by insurance company. I think everything has been said before on the IMDb - by those who think it's one of the best films ever made! To those who simply think the main problem is that it's dated I wish you could see the TV commercials that dug into DI back in '87 - what a hoot - and compare. I've just noticed the print TCM UK is showing in 2005 is lip-synced out, very wobbly Rosza music track, fading and ageing fast - worse than my 1987 video tape (maybe logically). They're supposed to be encouraging people to enjoy the classics but they won't do that with such inferior screening copies. Dear TCM UK, this is an impressive iconic film - it deserves a billion dollar remaster authorised by the Library of Congress, not repeatedly trotting out unimpressive cheap worn dupes to fill those 2 hour slots.
Everything about DI from the acting, production, direction, and music is superbly dignified and is as "close to perfection" as human beings are probably allowed to get with this form of Art - especially with the more limited technology at their disposal in '44. When most films from now are long forgotten and dated DI will still be getting re-runs on TV and art-house cinemas - God and remasters willing - that is the fact of it.
Fortunia Bonanova certainly was fortunate to have appeared in bit parts in 2 of the best films ever made - Citizen Kane the other.
- Spondonman
- May 1, 2004
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Pacto de sangre
- Filming locations
- 6301 Quebec Drive, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA(Dietrichson house)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $927,262 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $19,543
- Runtime1 hour 47 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1