The Blue Gardenia (1953)

Synopsis: In the first of Fritz Lang's trio of newspaper films, Norah, a telephone operator, suspects that she may have committed a murder but is unable to remember. After receiving a "Dear Jane" letter from... In the first of Fritz Lang's trio of newspaper films, Norah, a telephone operator, suspects that she may have committed a murder but is unable to remember. After receiving a "Dear Jane" letter from her boyfriend in the Korean War, Norah impetuously accepts a blind date with lecherous artist, Harry Prebble. At the luxurious nightclub The Blue Gardenia, Norah and Harry consume many tropical drinks and swoon to the bar's live music (Nat King Cole). When Prebble tries to take advantage, Norah beats him off and passes out. When she awakes at home the next morning, she learns that Prebble has been killed and immediately suspects herself. Caught between guarding her honor and admitting a truth she cannot remember, Norah looks on in horror as the case of the Blue Gardenia murderess becomes national news. As charismatic newspaper columnist Casey Mayo tries to reel in the "unknown murderess," Norah attempts to face her conscience and remember what happened. Lang manipulates the psychological ramifications of Norah's guilty conscience by making her world a nightmare of accusing glances and suspecting strangers. The film's noir vision of crime and punishment is humanized with the portrayal of the compassionate and realistic characters of Norah and her working girl roommates as well as with the burgeoning attraction between Norah and Casey. [More]

Starring: Anne Baxter, Raymond Burr, Richard Conte

Starring: Anne Baxter, Raymond Burr, Richard Conte

Director: Fritz Lang

Director: Fritz Lang
Screenwriter: Charles Hoffman
Story: Vera Caspary
Producer: Alex Gottlieb
Composer: Nelson Riddle

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