The Big Sleep (1946)

A private detective (Humphrey Bogart) is hired by a wealthy old man (Charles Waldron) to deal with his younger daughter's (Martha Vickers) alleged gambling debts. But that's just the tip of the iceberg in a case that involves murders, blackmail, deceit and pornography. Based on the novel by Raymond Chandler (William Faulkner had a hand in the screenplay) and directed by Howard Hawks. One of the best of the 1940s film noirs, if this never quite reaches the greatness of a MALTESE FALCON or DOUBLE INDEMNITY, it's because its array of colorful characters and its convoluted plot have your head spinning and if you find it difficult to follow the baffling plot, don't feel bad. Reportedly the screenwriters didn't understand it either. But its bewildering plot doesn't get in the way of the incredible enjoyment that the movie provides. Snappy dialogue, witty performances and Hawks' assured direction carry the day. The actors, down to the smallest roles, are all wonderful. Max Steiner delivers one of his best scores. With Lauren Bacall (overdoing the femme fatale bit just a tad), Dorothy Malone, the wonderful Sonia Darrin, Peggy Knudsen, John Ridgely, Louis Jean Heydt and Elisha Cook Jr.