Detective Philip Marlowe is hired by an ex-con to find a missing girl.
Raymond Chandler is perhaps the most respected name in mid-century crime fiction, his style influencing countless writers of subsequent generations. His seven novels all feature the main character of Marlowe, six of them adapted at least once for films. Chandler himself wrote screenplays for Hollywood, including the classic Double Indemnity.
Murder, My Sweet was adapted from Chandler's second novel, Farewell, My Lovely. Director Edward Dmytryk grew up in California but was the son of Ukranian immigrants, fitting in with many of the Europeans in Hollywood who would help define the "film noir" genre, known visually for its high contrast lighting and odd camera angles (taken from German Expressionism) and thematically for its cynical worldview, anti-establishment heroes and the "femme fatale" characters that often mislead and/or corrupt them.
Cast in the role of Philip Marlowe was Dick Powell, playing against type as he had previously been known for his work in comedies and musicals. Powell was a natural at delivering Marlowe's hard-boiled, sarcastic dialogue and narration. Starring alongside Powell are former wrestler Mike Mazurki, Claire Trevor (who would go on to star in many noirs), and Anne Shirley.
Critical and audience reception to the film was positive, though the adaptation of Chandler's The Big Sleep starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall would go on to become the more famous work. Murder, My Sweet won awards from the Mystery Writers Of America for Best Picture, screenplay, actor, and for Chandler's source material. The story was produced two years later for radio, with Powell and Trevor reprising their roles.
The film is now regarded as one of the superior noirs of its day, with it and Powell considered to be the most faithful to Chandler's style and atmosphere.
Running time is approx. 90 minutes.
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