Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe came to the screen for the first time in this RKO picture, which stars former boyish musical star crooner Dick Powell as the detective (indeed, the picture, based on Chandler’s Farewell, My Lovely, apparently was retitled so audiences would not expect a frothy musical). Powell is convincing as Marlowe, with a world-weary charm and also a tendency toward assuredness (which gets him in trouble) and cynicism (ditto) that nevertheless is offset by a clear interest in doing right by his clients. The movie has an excellent opening, with a blind Marlowe telling the story — and explaining some bodies — to police interrogators, and the ending delivers on the promise of the beginning, as well. Standouts among the rest of the cast are Claire Trevor, as the tempting wife of an older man (Miles Mander); Anne Shirley, as his daughter, whose motive is to ensure that her father is not hurt; and Mike Mazurki as Moose Malloy, a man mountain who hires Marlowe to find his long-missing former girlfriend, Velma, and thereby kicks off the complicated plot.

  Highly recommended! Otto finds this one pleasing enough to relax.

Movie 488 for 2021.