Originally, a number of Hollywood studios refused the story’s production because it dealt openly with such a taboo subject as – no, not murder – adultery. Seems rather tame by today’s standards, but many a leading man turned down the Walter Neff role before Fred MacMurray took it up, breaking away from his usual romantic comedy mode. What makes this picture a gem, however, is Edward G. Robinson’s tremendous character portrayal of insurance claims investigator Barton Keyes, reprised on television in 1973 by Lee J. Cobb with less than half the intensity. Barbara Stanwyck plays the murderous wife brilliantly, too. Raymond Chandler shares the screenplay credit with director Billy Wilder. This is classic film noir, very representative of the genre and deserving of its seven Academy Award nominations in 1944.

I love Billy Wilder, but this one left me cold, even though it’s supposed to be a classic noir. Disappointing.