Watered down Chandler. Like the bourbon at the Parrot Lounge

Ruined a great book by being too arty.

A truly wretched film. Montgomery obviously knows nothing about directing or camera work. The only bright spot for me was the rare appearance of Lila Leeds, the Lana Turner look-alike whose career was ruined when she was busted with Robert Mitchum for marijuana in 1948. She's the receptionist in the beginning, and she lights up the screen.

Classic film noir. Original perspective. Robert Montgomery is terrific as always. How about adding "Murder, My Sweet" as a companion film?