Laura

1944
PG
1h 28m

IMDb RATING

7.9/10

53K

YOUR RATING

Trailer for this film about an alluring woman

Play trailer2:31

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99+ Photos

Film Noir Drama Mystery

A police detective falls in love with the woman whose murder he is investigating.A police detective falls in love with the woman whose murder he is investigating.A police detective falls in love with the woman whose murder he is investigating.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.9/10

53K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 5 wins & 4 nominations total

Lancaster Corey
(scenes deleted)

Dorothy Adams

Bessie Clary, Laura's Maid
(uncredited)

Terry Adams

Woman
(uncredited)

John Alban

Executive
(uncredited)

Wally Albright

Newsboy
(uncredited)

Bobby Barber

Newsboy
(uncredited)

Edward Biby

Party Guest
(uncredited)

Gary Breckner

Narrator
(uncredited)

James Carlisle

Party Guest
(uncredited)

Harry Carter

Party Guest
(uncredited)

Lane Chandler

Detective
(uncredited)

Bill Chaney

Newsboy
(uncredited)

Dorothy Christy

Woman
(uncredited)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
According to Producer and Director Otto Preminger, he had to work to win the respect of the cast, who all seemed "hostile" to him when he took over, with the exception of Clifton Webb. "I learned later", he said, "that Mamoulian had called each of them individually and warned them that I did not like their acting and intended to fire them." It was not true. Dame Judith Anderson decided to confront him on the set. She said that if he wasn't happy with her performance, then he should show her how to make it better.

Goofs
In the initial long-shot when McPherson and Lydecker are out to dinner, McPherson's chair is unoccupied (about 15:28). When the camera is at their table, McPherson has materialized.

Quotes
Waldo Lydecker: I don't use a pen. I write with a goose quill dipped in venom.

Alternate versions
A scene cut from the theatrical version after its initial release was restored to the film in 1990. In it, Waldo Lydecker described how he transformed Laura's appearance and introduced her to high society. The studio worried that this obsession with decadent luxury would be offensive to WWII soldiers serving overseas, so the scene was deleted.

Connections
Featured in Vicki (1953)

Soundtracks
You Go to My Head
(uncredited)
Music by J. Fred Coots (1938)
Used instrumentally in dance scene

User reviews352

Review

Featured review

Classic Mystery With Wit & Style

"Laura" is a classic murder mystery and more. The main characters make for a fascinating psychological study, and the movie is also filled with wit and style, in addition to a murder mystery that holds plenty of interest in its own right.

The story opens with a detective (Dana Andrews) questioning suspects in the murder of popular, beautiful, and successful Laura Hunt. As he does, we learn not only about the suspects but about Laura herself, through flashbacks. We see Laura (Gene Tierney) develop the career and relationships that eventually led to danger, and we also learn that Laura meant something very different to each of the suspects: the snobbish, venomous writer who launched her career (Clifton Webb), the worthless playboy whom Laura was going to marry (Vincent Price, in a role quite different for him) and her rather desperate aunt (Judith Anderson). Even the detective quickly becomes obsessed with Laura's memory. The psychological overtones of all this add considerably to the mystery plot.

The mystery story itself is quite good, with interesting details and at least one major surprise along the way. The climax is tense and exciting, a fitting conclusion to both the mystery plot and the complex relationships among the characters. The acting and direction are all very good, and make the most of the story's possibilities.

"Laura" is a must-see not only for those who like mysteries, but for anyone who likes classic cinema made with style.