The Blue Dahlia (1946)

When a navy officer (Alan Ladd) returns home after the war with his two buddies (William Bendix, Hugh Beaumont), he finds his wife (Doris Dowling, LOST WEEKEND) has turned into an unfaithful, high living party girl during his absence. When she is found murdered, he becomes the key suspect. Directed by George Marshall and with an original Oscar nominated screenplay by the great Raymond Chandler, one wishes BLUE DAHLIA could have been stronger than it is. As it stands, it's an enjoyable mystery but there's nothing remotely special about it. The most interesting aspect of the film are the portrayal of the shell shocked war veteran played by Bendix who has an hysterical aversion to jazz music (he calls it "monkey music", perhaps it's best not to think about that too hard) and the disdainful adulterous wife played by Dowling. Ladd has a nice chemistry with his frequent leading lady Veronica Lake (lovely but low-keyed to the point of ennui) and I suppose I should be grateful for what we get but the pedigree suggests there should be so much more. With Howard Da Silva, Frank Faylen and Will Wright in a nice turn as a slimy house detective.