Scenes We Love: The Big Sleep
Filed under: Classics, Noir, Mystery & Suspense, Scenes We Love
I've been on a film noir kick lately (recommendations are welcome), because if there's a stock character I enjoy nearly as much as a loose cannon cop, it's a hardboiled private detective. (No, they're not the same thing.) I'm kind of weird in that I can only watch it late at night, as afternoons just don't lend themselves to the sweaty tension and gloom.
Despite my fondness for a fellow in a sharp suit and fedora, it's the women characters that have me hooked. I'm not talking about the femme fatales who hook our private dick, and then triple cross him. I'm fascinated by the secretaries, taxi drivers, and witnesses that pepper these stories. They're always there in the nick of time, or possessing some vital bit of information that cracks the case. They're impeccably dressed, well-informed, hard drinking, and they never encounter Spade or Marlowe without trading a few sarcastic quips. The Big Sleep is particularly full of them. From the Sternwood sisters to the taxi cab driver, every single one has a sexy quip for Marlowe, and he eats it right up. My absolute favorite is the bookstore clerk, who knows her antique tomes, pays attention to creepy neighbors, and is more than willing to close shop, and get drunk with Marlowe. Femme fatales are a dime a dozen ... but geeky bookstore girls? She's a treasure.
Despite my fondness for a fellow in a sharp suit and fedora, it's the women characters that have me hooked. I'm not talking about the femme fatales who hook our private dick, and then triple cross him. I'm fascinated by the secretaries, taxi drivers, and witnesses that pepper these stories. They're always there in the nick of time, or possessing some vital bit of information that cracks the case. They're impeccably dressed, well-informed, hard drinking, and they never encounter Spade or Marlowe without trading a few sarcastic quips. The Big Sleep is particularly full of them. From the Sternwood sisters to the taxi cab driver, every single one has a sexy quip for Marlowe, and he eats it right up. My absolute favorite is the bookstore clerk, who knows her antique tomes, pays attention to creepy neighbors, and is more than willing to close shop, and get drunk with Marlowe. Femme fatales are a dime a dozen ... but geeky bookstore girls? She's a treasure.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-16-2009 @ 5:11PM
Dani said...
I had myself a bit of Bogart/Bacall marathon the other week. I Highly recommend one.
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6-16-2009 @ 5:26PM
Rebekah said...
I love this movie (probably my favorite Bogart) and this scene is amazing, but it makes me a little sad that he makes her take off her glasses. But that might just be me.
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6-16-2009 @ 8:09PM
Marty said...
She is absolutely gorgeous! There is no actress today who looks as great as she does in this clip. Today's actresses look like low-class hookers when compared with this classy dame.
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6-18-2009 @ 3:56PM
Rich said...
So, they had sex (off screen) right?
Can you imagine that scene filmed for 2009 audiences?
BTW, I luv the way she pulls the door curtain down
and sez "I quess we're closed for the rest of the afternoon."
Reply
6-17-2009 @ 11:51PM
Jeremy said...
I highly recommend "The Maltese Falcon." No Lauren Bacall but plenty of awesome Bogart screentime. "Brick" was basically a loose remake of this movie.
"To Have And Have Not" is also very good. Bacall is in that one.
But, nothing beats "The Big Sleep." That's a freakin' noir classic!
Alas, why isn't there a market for movies like this anymore...Sad.
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6-16-2009 @ 11:22PM
Ben said...
Hey Liz - love the scene, by the way. The Big Sleep is one of my favorite movies, even though I'm STILL not 100% sure of what the hell exactly happened when all was said and done. My friends and I have had many-a-laugh at how Bogart and the bookstore girl definitely get it on in the middle of the day, and we laugh every time she puts the "closed" sign on the door.
As far as recommendations, there's a few that are pretty solid that I've seen within the past year or two. Key Largo, Dark Passage, Shadow of a Doubt, and M.
For the love of God, though - see Double Indemnity if you haven't already. I can't describe how fantastic it is. It's the perfect noir.
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6-17-2009 @ 10:11AM
... said...
you ever seen brick? i thought it was really good.
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6-17-2009 @ 2:35PM
Julie said...
I have to agree about the gorgeous women in these films and how about those great dressed guys? Our world has become full of shoddy people who don't care about how they look anymore. Fashion and makeup trends has everyone looking like a cheap trick male and female alike. The closest one might come to a clerk as lovely as this might be somewhere like Harrods, but never a bookstore. That's usually a kid in a hoodie with a pierced lip....
How I long for a crisp suit and fedora, back and white pumps and great makeup with superb eyebrows. Bogart. They just don't make 'em like that anymore. Not the actors or the films...
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