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Laura Overview:

Laura (1944) was a Crime - Film Noir Film directed by Otto Preminger and Rouben Mamoulian (uncredited) and produced by Otto Preminger.

The film was based on the novel of the same name from & Colliers Serial "Ring Twice for Laura" written by Vera Caspary published in 1943 (novel); Oct - Nov 1942 (magazine).

Laura (1944)

SYNOPSIS

A classic noirish mystery with a consummate ensemble of actors. Andrews adroitly plays the detective who delves into the murder of the stunningly beautiful Laura (Tierney, in her signature role), with whom it seems everyone, including the detective himself, is understandably in love. But Webb steals the show as Laura's creepily elegant mentor, society columnist Waldo Lydecker. Based on the novel by Caspary, Preminger took over the direction of this compelling mystery classic, which was originally in the hands of Rouben Mamoulian. The restored video includes previously excised footage.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Laura was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1999.

Academy Awards 1944 --- Ceremony Number 17 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Supporting ActorClifton WebbNominated
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Lyle Wheeler, Leland Fuller; Interior Decoration: Thomas LittleNominated
Best CinematographyJoseph LaShelleWon
Best DirectorOtto PremingerNominated
Best WritingJay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, Betty ReinhardtNominated
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Laura BlogHub Articles:

You're Invited! FILM NOIR STYLE Continues 6/25 at Aero with "The War Years" and LAURA

on Jun 15, 2023 From GlamAmor

On Sunday, June 25, my 4-part Film Noir Style series continues at the Aero Theatre with The War Years. After my presentation we will screen Laura (1944) with the luminous Gene Tierney and costumes by Bonnie Cashin. Sunday, June 25The War Years 1942-1945 and Laura (1944)2 pm presentation and screenin... Read full article

Day 19 of Noirvember: Happy birthday to Laura and Waldo!

By shadowsandsatin on Nov 19, 2019 From Shadows and Satin

November 19th was quite a day in the world of noir – it gave us two of the stars of the film noir Laura (1944) – Gene Tierney and Clifton Webb. Today’s Noirvember post celebrates this shadowy birthday duo and their road to the well-loved noir that they gave us. Gene Tierney Gene Eliza Tierney ... Read full article

book: After I’m Gone (2014) by Laura Lippman

By John Grant on Oct 29, 2019 From Noirish

The last two Laura Lippman books I’ve read I enthused about. Although I enjoyed After I’m Gone a fair amount, it didn’t seem to me to hit those same heights. In 1976 Baltimore numbers crook Felix Brewer fled a hefty prison rap, leaving behind his beloved bride Bambi, their three sm... Read full article

book: Looker (2019) by Laura Sims

By John Grant on Jun 10, 2019 From Noirish

The blurb to this book describes it as a “propulsive Hitchcockian thriller,” a comment that’s both grossly misleading and in some ways justified. To take the latter first, I can see the connection with classic tales of obsession like Boileau-Narcejac’s Vertigo, which Hitchco... Read full article

book: I’d Know You Anywhere (2010) by Laura Lippman

By John Grant on Dec 16, 2018 From Noirish

I’ve been pretty lucky with my reading during 2018, taking things overall, so it’s a surprise that, halfway through December, I’ve encountered what may be my book of the year. I’m normally unhappy with genre pigeonholing except as a guiltily deployed shorthand, and all the wh... Read full article

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Laura Quotes:

Laura Hunt: [Explaining why she broke a promise] You forced me to give you my word. I never have been and I never will be bound by anything I don't do of my own free will.
Mark McPherson: I must say, for a charming, intelligent girl, you certainly surrounded yourself with a remarkable collection of dopes.
Waldo Lydecker: Love is eternal. It has been the strongest motivation for human actions throughout history. Love is stronger than life. It reaches beyond the dark shadow of death.
Mark McPherson: I suspect no one, and I suspect everyone.
Waldo Lydecker: I cannot stand these morons any longer. If you don't come with me this instant I shall run amok.
See More Quotes from Laura
Laura Facts
"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on February 23, 1950 with Dana Andrews, Gene Tierney and Clifton Webb reprising their film roles.
One of the film's most durable legacies was its theme song "Laura," composed over one weekend by David Raksin. Otto Preminger had originally wanted to use Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady." According to Preminger biographer Gerald Pratley, Preminger tried to get the rights to George Gershwin's "Summertime" but was unable to.
The haunting theme melody was inspired by a "Dear David" letter that composer David Raksin received from his wife. The lyrics were added later by Johnny Mercer. Otto Preminger is on record as saying he dislikes the lyrics.
With Johnny Mercer's poignant lyrics, David Raksin's "Laura" theme was the basis for notable recordings made in 1945 by Woody Herman and His Orchestra (vocal by Woody) on Columbia, Dick Haymes on Decca, Johnny Johnston on Capitol, and in 1947 by Frank Sinatra on Columbia.
Vera Caspary's novel "Laura" falls into five sections and five separate voices, telling its story from the viewpoint of each of its principal characters. It was too cumbersome a structure for a 1940s mystery, so the script (by Jay Dratler and others) simplifies and concentrates the narrative for director Otto Preminger to play with.
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