Cinema Style File--Barbara Stanwyck Straight Down the Line in DOUBLE INDEMNITY

I knew when I committed to doing a month dedicated to film noir style on GlamAmor that Double Indemnity would have to enter into it.  Merely saying its name conjurs up images of all the conventions of noir--the femme fatale, shadowy and smoky cinematography, voice-over narration, and the architecture of historic LA.  Even those who are not fanatics as I am seem to understand its significance.  Though critics now count earlier films such as The Thin Man (1934) in the genre, it is 1944's Double Indemnity that is widely considered THE quintessential film noir.  

It was based on a 1935 novela by James M. Cain, who wrote noir classics The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) and Mildred Pierce (1945) as well.  He was particularly gifted at creating nuanced women who murder and make you able to empathize with their motivations to do so.  The novel was turned into a screenplay by director Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler--yes, the Raymond Chandler--who was himself the author of novels on which film noir was based.  The Big Sleep, Lady in the Lake, and Farewell, My Lovely (turned into the film Murder, My Sweet with Dick Powell)...those are all Chandler.  The often contentious combination of these three writers is what results in the movie's tension and incredible bantor.  And it's John F. Seitz's mysterious cinematography that really creates the mood...another giant, known for photographing noir classics This Gun for Hire (1942) and Sunset Boulevard (1950).  I think he really picked up where Josef von Sternberg left off in Shanghai Express (1932) where shadows, such as through venetian blinds, are used to great dramatic effect. 

Wilder is such a talented director that he created some of the biggest movie hits in history...in every genre.  Comedy--Some Like It Hot (in fact, it's AFI's best comedy ever).  Drama--Stalag 17.  Romantic Comedy--Sabrina.  And so on.  He was known for getting the most out of his actors, and he could not have cast more perfect performers as his leads for Double Indemnity.  Barbara Stanwyck took on the amoral Phyllis Dietrichson after playing some slightly softer roles.  Likewise, Fred MacMurray brought empathy and depth to Walter Neff when the role could have made him seem even more of a heel.  And Edward G. Robinson steals every scene he's in as the movie's detective and conscience, insurance investigator Barton Keyes.  

But even with all that, my favorite part of Double Indemnity just might be the costumes by Edith Head.  My hero...whose exquisite designs understood the needs of both the actress and her character.  Her assignment was frequently the talented Ms. Stanwyck, a woman whom executives originally declared un-attractive...that is, until Edith entered her life.  One of her tailoring tricks was to drop the waistline in the back of gowns in order to better present her proportions.  It gave Barbara a new lease on life and she would never be without Edith again, whether she was working for Paramount or not.

For the femme fatale Phyllis Dietrichson, Wilder envisioned the character as oozing "sleazy phoniness."  His decision for Barbara's over-the-top blonde wig was his vision of this.  But I think Edith understood the character even better.  Phyllis is sinister and superficial...her main motivation was money.  Her husband complained about the way she liked to spend it.  As a result, Edith dressed the character to impress...heavy jewelry and expensive clothes, including a gown for day.  But they're still classicly cut, almost as if Phyllis is trying her best to seem the good wife and mask all of her amoral intentions.  

Like most of Edith's work, you'll find Phyllis' wardrobe very wearable today--a belted cashmere coat, cashmere cardigan (worn backward as a top) with simple black pants, tailored suits, and a flirty Little Black Dress.  She also wears a silk jumpsuit in the end, a garment waaaayyyyy ahead of its time...30 years later it would become all the rage, especially when interpreted by Halston in the 1970s.  Though Double Indemnity was nominated for seven Oscars, nothing went to Edith Head for Costume Design.  It's simply incredible to consider when these are costumes that have become iconic.  Whether you recognize it or not, they continue to be referenced in design and live on in today's fashion collections. 

And so, let's take a look at the costumes that continue to inspire...inside the devious but incredibly stylish world of 1944's Double Indemnity.

Starts speeding through the streets of downtown Los Angeles...

the Biltmore Hotel is shown on the left corner below

Though many think the Pacific All Risk insurance company takes place at the Bradbury Building,

it is just a well designed Paramount studio set

Walter's tale is told through voice over and flashback...

one of the hallmarks of film noir

The Dietrichson neighborhood is filmed in the Hollywood Hills (6301 Quebec Drive),

but this Spanish Colonial style can be found everywhere in Los Angeles

Phyllis really knows how to make a first impression...

she also knows opportunity when it comes knocking

You can really see the skillful cinematography of John Seitz here

as we meet Mr. Dietrichson (Tom Powers) and his daughter, Lola (Jean Heather), through photographs on the piano

First close up of Phyllis--and her provocative anklet--

as she puts the finishing touches on a ruffle-front silk shirtdress

 An iconic moment in the movie with her "honey of an anklet"...

Edith Head dresses the character with plenty of jewelry to show her attraction to money

"There's a speed limit in this state, Mr. Neff. 45 miles per hour."

"How fast was I going, officer?"

"I'd say around 90."

Driving back to the Pacific All Risk where we meet Keyes for the first time

When Walter returns to Phyllis to make his sales pitch, he finds they're alone...

and she's looking fetching in a black and white floral gown

He also finds there's murder on her mind

Beer and bowling on Western before heading home

Walter's apartment...exterior filmed at 1825 N. Kingsley Drive in Los Angeles

An unsurprising guest pops in out of the rain

Despite being dressed in an innocent sweater, the scheming begins

Walter tricks Dietrichson into signing for accident insurance 

while Phyllis looks on in a little black dress (and brooch) that has been copied in fashion many times since

Meeting at Jerry's Market to plan a murder

A call to confirm the plans...

Edith makes great use of the shot by including a ring for Phyllis to wear

The last time anyone sees Mr. Dietrichson...

and the moment of the murder shows just how cold-blooded and calculating Phyllis is

Dropping off Walter (taking Dietrichson's place) at Glendale's Southern Pacific Train Station

since death by train brings twice the insurance money--the "double indemnity" clause

Time on the train shows just some of the direction, design, and lighting that make this movie so good...

many others would borrow from it

Playing a widow in mourning in a gray suit with black accessories,

including a hat with veil

Though at the inquest, Keyes believes Phyllis' story,

he drops by to tell Walter that his "little man" has started to tell him otherwise

 Now the trouble really begins

One bit of trouble is finding Mr. Medford, Oregon--witness from the train--in Keyes' office

Another is Phyllis telling him she has no intention of withdrawing her claim...

it's "straight down the line"

Out of guilt, Walter begins seeing Lola Dietrichson...at an Olvera Street restaurant

and above the iconic Hollywood Bowl

Phyllis preps for the final showdown with Walter...in a sexy silk jumpsuit

Walter arrives and announces he's getting off their ride together

Notice in the costume how similar the bodice is to Veronica Lake's style

Phyllis draws her gun first, but Walter gets the last shot

The story is finished...and so is Walter