“Laura” (1944) directed by Otto Preminger, starring Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb & Vincent Price / Z-View

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Laura (1944)

Director: Otto Preminger

Screenplay: Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, Elizabeth Reinhardt, Ring Lardner Jr. (uncredited) based on LAURA by Vera Caspary

Stars: Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb, Vincent Price, Judith Anderson and Dorothy Adams.

Tagline:  No picture was ever so irresistible as Laura.  No picture was ever so breath-taking!

The Plot…

Laura Hunt (Tierney), an attractive successful young woman, was brutally murdered at the entrance to her apartment.  The shotgun blast to the face destroyed her beauty as it took her life.  Detective Mark McPherson (Andrews) is put in charge of the investigation.

Detective McPherson interviews Laura’s closest friends…

  • Waldo Lydecker (Webb) is a famous newspaper columnist and radio personality.  Waldo gave Laura her start, by endorsing an ad she created and introducing her to movers and shakers.  Waldo is much older than Laura but has great affection for her. Waldo doesn’t care for Laura’s latest boyfriend who is a scam artist.
  • Shelby Carpenter (Price) is Laura’s boyfriend.  She was considering marriage to Shelby despite his past.
  • Ann Treadwell (Anderson) is a rich society dame.  Ann has repeatedly given Shelby money and is in love with him.
  • Bessie (Adams) is Laura’s housekeeper.  She is totally devoted to Laura.

As McPherson learns more about Laura, her beauty and exceptional personality, he becomes infatuated with her.

Then something totally unexpected happens.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Laura was nominated for five Academy Awards and won one…

  • 1945 Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Clifton Webb
  • 1945 Nominee for Best Director: Otto Preminger
  • 1945 Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay: Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, Elizabeth Reinhardt
  • 1945 Nominee for Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Black-and-White: Lyle R. Wheeler, Leland Fuller, Thomas Little
  • 1945 Winner Best Cinematography, Black-and-White: Joseph LaShelle

Vincent Price considered Laura the best film he was ever in.

Clifton Webb had a career in silent films.  He then became a theater actor and hadn’t appeared on screen in 15 years.  Otto Preminger wanted him for the role of Waldo.  Studio head Darryl F. Zanuck was against the casting because Webb was a homosexual.  Preminger persisted.  Zanuck said to give Webb a screen test.  Webb said, “If Zanuck wants to see me act, he can come to the theater.”  Preminger filmed Webb in a stage performance.  When Zanuck saw this “screen test” he was upset with how Preminger got the footage, but agreed to the casting.

Otto Preminger put together Laura as a project for him to produce and direct.  However when Darryl Zanuck returned from the service to head the studio, he nixed this.  Zanuck had problems with Preminger in the past. Zanuck said Preminger could serve as a producer, but not director of the film.  Rouben Mamoulian was given the job.  Nobody liked the dailes Mamoulian shot.  Zanuck replaced Mamoulian with Preminger.

Laura provided inspiration for Burt Reynold’s Sharky’s Machine.

Laura (1944) rates 4 of 5 stars.