Laura (1944)
The strangest, most dangerous experience in love and murder...
Laura is considered one of the most notable film noirs of the 1940s. The film takes place in Manhattan where New York City police detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) is assigned to investigate the murder of Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney), a beautiful, sophisticated Madison Avenue advertising executive. McPherson begins by interrogating Laura's domineering good friend, charismatic newspaper columnist, Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb). Lydecker is sitting in his bathtub typing his newspaper column while McPherson questions him. That alone is unusual...Lydecker is definitely an odd duck! McPherson also questions Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price), Laura’s charming but weak fiancé. Laura’s wealthy aunt, Ann Treadwell (Judith Anderson) who has been having an affair with Carpenter is also interrogated. Treadwell is extremely jealous of Laura and tells her:
Shelby’s better for me. Why? Because I can afford him, and I understand him. He’s no good, but he’s what I want. I’m not a nice person, Laura. Neither is he…We belong together because we’re both weak and can’t seem to help it. That’s why I know he’s capable of murder. He’s like me.
McPherson also questions Laura’s devoted maid, Bessie Clary (Dorothy Adams) who said she saw the murdered Laura on the floor by the front door. The detective is intrigued by this mysterious case, the bizarre characters, and the woman at the center of it all. With every clue he uncovers, he begins to fall under the spell of Laura, the dead victim. Talk about unusual...hmmm. Anyway, McPherson begins to unravel the truth of Laura’s death through personal testimonies and letters. He also sees that Lydecker is extremely jealous towards Laura’s potential suitors and quickly realizes that the journalist has used his connections and power to discourage any romantic pursuits.
