After everything I read about The Blue Dahlia, I was expecting a dark and sinister movie. Boy, was I disappointed. The themes dealt with are definitely noir, but the look and feel of the film was decidedly not noir. There is virtually no use of shadow anywhere. The only dark scenes were the night shots in the rain and the ranch house near the end of the film. Everywhere we are subjected to gaudy, high-key shots that you need sunglasses to watch. Maybe it's a cliché (not in 1946, though), but the scenes in the cheap flophouse just begged for sinister, dark shadows - but no, we only get more MGM-type lighting. I kept waiting for Judy Garland to walk out of the closet and sing a song...
Another major problem I had with this movie was the incredible amount of coincidences. It was absolutely ridiculous! I know it's a movie, but how many times can strangers bump into each other and instantly become friends. It was just too unbelievable even for a fictional story.
Also, when did the drunken wife write the note on the back of their son's picture? It made no sense. She couldn't have done it after Alan Ladd walked out on her because he took the photo with him. That means she did it in the past, but if she did, the wording would be different. How would Johnny know who Harwood is? She was having an affair with Harwood, I'm sure she would've kept it secret. The note would've needed to be more specific.
This is an OK film, with a great performance from Mr. DeSilva. Otherwise, watch and delete.
Another major problem I had with this movie was the incredible amount of coincidences. It was absolutely ridiculous! I know it's a movie, but how many times can strangers bump into each other and instantly become friends. It was just too unbelievable even for a fictional story.
Also, when did the drunken wife write the note on the back of their son's picture? It made no sense. She couldn't have done it after Alan Ladd walked out on her because he took the photo with him. That means she did it in the past, but if she did, the wording would be different. How would Johnny know who Harwood is? She was having an affair with Harwood, I'm sure she would've kept it secret. The note would've needed to be more specific.
This is an OK film, with a great performance from Mr. DeSilva. Otherwise, watch and delete.