DOUBLE INDEMNITY

Film Background Year of Release: 1944 Directed by-Billy Wilder Adapted Screenplay-Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler Original novella-James M. Cain Director of Photography-John Seitz One of the best of the film noir genre

How We Got Here Post WWII-change in American consciousness Change in American culture-not so innocent any more Open questioning of gender roles-what’s a guy supposed to do? City vs. suburb Here comes Dr. Freud

Aspects of Film Noir Rooted in German Expressionism movement- 1920’s and 1930’s-use of ‘scenery, light and shadow to enhance the mood of a film.’ Seen it Once..Seen it Twice? Tim Burton films, Sin City Location shoot in the city American crime stories of the 1930’s Hot, steamy, unseen sex (Hays Code) Inner turmoil for all to see Weak men Strong Women…femme what??

Femme Fatale-ooh la la Ah oui…she is French for “deadly woman” and an archetypal character in literature, film, and art She is a Seductress…she uses her “special powers” to trap a man and have him do things he usually would not do She is a woman who knows about sex, doesn’t deny enjoying sex, and doesn’t deny using sex for whatever advantage she’s seeking

Talking Double Indemnity Originally an eight part novella from James M. Cain, a famous writer of detective books The parts no one wanted-Stanwyck and McMurray pretty skeptical Four months of hell-Wilder and Chandler Look out for that Double Entendre Dialogue! Original ending-not for our eyes #38 on the AFI Top 100 list Box office and critical success

Tech Lighting Costumes Make-up Mis en scene

Themes/Seminar Points What happens when good people do bad, bad things? The importance of Edward G. Robinson’s character Do sex and violent behavior have to be seen to be understood? Why did the film noir genre fade away? Can it or should it come back?

Enjoy the show! “I did it for the money. I did it for the woman.”