The Big Sleep

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Cast & Crew

Humphrey Bogart
Philip Marlowe

Lauren Bacall
Vivian Rutledge

Martha Vickers
Carmen Sternwood

John Ridgely
Eddie Mars

Louis Jean Heydt
Joe Brody

Elisha Cook Jr.
Harry Jones

Regis Toomey
Chief Inspector Bernie Ohls

Sonia Darrin
Agnes Lowzier

Bob Steele
Lash Canino

Tommy Rafferty
Carol Lundgren

Dorothy Malone
Acme Book Shop Proprietress

Charles Waldron
General Sternwood

Charles D. Brown
Norris the Butler

Tom Fadden
Sidney

Ben Welden
Pete

Trevor Bardette
Art Huck

James Flavin
Capt. Cronjager

Joy Barlow
Taxi Driver

Thomas Jackson
District Attorney White

Peggy Knudsen
Mona Mars

Howard Hawks
Director

Howard Hawks
Producer

Jack L. Warner
Executive Producer

William Faulkner
Screenwriter

Leigh Brackett
Screenwriter

Jules Furthman
Screenwriter

Max Steiner
Original Music

Sidney Hickox
Cinematographer

Christian Nyby
Film Editor

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Critic Reviews for The Big Sleep

Audience Reviews for The Big Sleep

• Jun 03, 2019

  Outstanding Noir, but not without its flaws. Nonetheless, it's among Bogie's finest acting jobs and the dialogue crackles.
  

  Aldo G Super Reviewer
• Mar 30, 2018

  This is such an iconic noir film. There is a ton of banter and fast dialogue, Humphrey Bogart is the consummate tough guy detective, and the bodies pile up amidst plot twists and action. The performances, the atmosphere, and the dialogue all make the film a classic, but beware, the plot is notorious for being difficult to follow, at least in its entirety. My advice is to pay attention to names in the film when they're mentioned. Sometimes a little factoid drops quickly, and if you miss it, you'll get lost. And, just know that even if you do keep up (and possibly pause the movie to look at the wiki plot summary, lol), you still may be confused. Why? Well, because there are several plot points which are never fully explained. I won't list them here, but they are still debated and commented on 70 years later. Frankly, I think Howard Hawks did a huge disservice to the film by cutting a scene which would have explained at least some of its convoluted plot, believing that audiences wouldn't care. With that said, he certainly made it interesting by deciding to have every woman flirt heavily with Humphrey Bogart's character. This starts in the opening scene, when Martha Vickers saunters out in shorts, rolls her eyes around seductively, and then falls into his arms. Subtle, eh? Moments later, Bogart is in a bookstore with Dorothy Malone (then 19 years old), and after the two hit it off, she closes her shop in the middle of the day to share a drink with him, with the implication being it doesn't stop there. He then takes a taxi and makes a connection with the driver (Joy Barlow), she gives him her card "in case you can use me again", but tells him to call at night, because she works during the day. This is just in the first 20 minutes, and before the steamier scenes with Lauren Bacall, who Bogart would marry in real life three months after filming finished. The chemistry they had translates to the screen, spurred on by memorable lines: This first one, as they compare each other to thoroughbreds: Bogart: "You don't like to be rated yourself." Bacall: "I haven't met anyone yet that can do it. Any suggestions?" Bogart: "Well, I can't tell till I've seen you over a distance of ground. You've got a touch of class, but I don't know how far you can go." Bacall: "A lot depends on who's in the saddle." After kissing her: Bacall: "I liked that. I'd like more." Before the spin of the roulette wheel: Dealer: "You ready lady?" Bacall: "Yeah, I'm ready." Bogart (softly, over her shoulder): "So am I." And lastly: Bogart: "What's wrong with you?" Bacall: "Nothing you can't fix." There are also all sorts of other playful moments. At one point, Bogart and Bacall carry on a prank telephone conversation with a police officer, which ends with Bogart saying "I can do what? Where? Oh no, I wouldn't like that. Neither would my daughter." In another, Vickers asks, "Is he as cute as you are?", to which the grizzled Bogart replies, "Nobody is." Bogart also brings a smile when he turns up his hat, dons sunglasses, and carries on as an intellectual while trying to get information from a woman in a bookstore (Sonia Darrin). At all turns, Bogart is ready with quick replies, whether he's talking tough, flirting, or joking around, making him the man every guy wishes he could be. And, while a lot of attention is placed on Bogart, Bacall, and Vickers, and rightfully so, the performances from the villains, the mastermind (John Ridgely) and his right-hand man (Bob Steele), are also fantastic. Overall, I find I've got to deduct a little because of the issues with the plot, but still, it's quite a film.
  Antonius B Super Reviewer
• May 13, 2014

  A smart detective story full of the most exquisite dialogue and with an extremely complex plot that prompts us to try to connect the pieces of the intricate puzzle in our heads, even if it actually does not answer all of the questions (the death of a certain character is left unsolved).
  Carlos M Super Reviewer
• May 12, 2013

  Phillip Marlowe gets embroiled in a family's drama, which quickly turns murderous. Everything about this film is perfect. The mystery is compelling and engaging because the characters are always ahead of the audience, which is refreshing in this age when everything but flashing arrows tell modern audiences when the detective encounters a clue. The writing is sharp and funny with lines so good and so right for Bogie that it's impossible to imagine anyone else saying them. For example: Eddie Mars: Is that any of your business? Philip Marlowe: I could make it my business. Eddie Mars: I could make your business mine. Philip Marlowe: Oh, you wouldn't like it. The pay's too small. And there's Bogie and Bacall -- film legends with legendary chemistry -- who sizzle the screen. It's only their talent that makes a rather tepid love story work. I don't see anything profound or socially necessary about The Big Sleep, but films like this can be intellectually engaging and fun. Overall, The Big Sleep is a foundational film and a great time at the movies.
  Jim H Super Reviewer

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