Double Indemnity DVD 1973

     There is another film with the same title and plot from 1944 based on a novel by James M. Cain published in 1943.  The novel was based on the true story of Ruth Snyder and she was the subject of a notorious 1920’s murder trial.  Walter Neff and Phyllis Dietrichson plan to murder Phyllis’s husband and collect on a double indemnity insurance policy.  They think they can pass this scam over on Neff’s boss Barton Keyes. 

     I watched and reviewed the 1944 film first.  I think it has a lot more punch than this film.  Imdb gives the 1944 film 8.3 out of 10, that’s 3.6* higher than this film.  I’m not sure what the difference is?  It must be the cast because the plot is almost exactly the same?  3* (This movie is OK)

75 min, Crime directed by Jack Smight with Richard Crenna, Lee J. Cobb, Robert Webber, Samantha Eggar, Arch Johnson, Kathleen Cody, John Fielder, John Elerick, Joan Pringle, Gene Dynarski, Ken, Renard, Joyce Cunning.

Note:  Imdb 4.7 out of 10, Letterboxd 2.7* out of 5*, Slant Magazine 3* out of 5* Dan Callahan.  

Special Note:  Filed at Universal Studios, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California.  Billy Wilder and Barbara Stanwyck worked on the 1944 version and they watched this broadcast in their homes.  Wilder phone Stanwyck and he said, “Missy, they just didn’t get right,” and he hung up!!