Watch Lady in the Lake

Lady in the Lake is a 1946 American film noir directed by and starring Robert Montgomery. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Raymond Chandler, which was published in 1943. The film stars Montgomery as private detective Philip Marlowe, who is hired by a publishing house to find a missing author. The story revolves around a mystery involving the disappearance of famous mystery author Adrienne Fromsett (Audrey Totter). Marlowe, a detective with a keen eye for detail, is determined to solve the case, even if it means digging deeper than his client would like. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of lies, deception, and murder hidden behind the façade of a successful publishing house.

The most interesting element of the film is the way it is shot. Lady in the Lake features a first-person point of view camera that puts the audience in the shoes of Marlowe as he searches for clues and interrogates suspects. The camera acts as Marlowe's eyes, and we see everything that he sees. This unique style of filming was innovative for its time, and it still holds up today.

Robert Montgomery gives a strong performance as Marlowe. He is charismatic, witty, and tough when he needs to be. Audrey Totter is equally excellent as Adrienne Fromsett. She imbues the character with a sense of vulnerability and danger that makes her all the more intriguing. Lloyd Nolan also delivers a solid performance as Lieutenant DeGarmot, a cop who finds himself at odds with Marlowe for most of the film.

The dialogue in Lady in the Lake is sharp and snappy, typical of a Raymond Chandler story. There are plenty of memorable one-liners and exchanges that will stick with you long after the film is over. The script also has enough twists and turns to keep the audience on their toes. Just when you think you've figured out what's going on, the film takes you in a different direction.

The film also has a great supporting cast, including Jayne Meadows as Mildred Havelend, the woman who hires Marlowe in the first place, Leon Ames as publisher Derace Kingsby, and Dick Simmons as Chris Lavery, another author who becomes involved in the case.

The music is another highlight of the film. The score, composed by David Snell and conducted by André Previn, perfectly captures the mood of the story. The film's opening credits feature a jazzy rendition of "The Christmas Song" sung by actress Lois Laurel, the daughter of legendary comedian Stan Laurel.

Overall, Lady in the Lake is a compelling film noir that still holds up today, thanks to its clever filming style, sharp dialogue, and strong performances from its cast. It is a must-see for fans of the genre, and anyone looking for a good mystery.

Lady in the Lake is a 1946 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.