Raymond Chandler's novels made great film adaptations based on his strongly written characters. Point in case, Philip Marlowe. He was a practical P.I. man. In the adaptation of the novel "Farewell, My Lovely", by John Paxton, Marlowe gets a great treatment from Mr. Paxton and the director, Edward Dmytryk.

This 1944 film has been dissected by a lot of contributors to this forum. As it happens with films of this genre, the convoluted plots create an aura of mystery without sometimes making too much sense, but the viewer is hooked from the start. One goes along for the ride with this version that proves to be one of the best adaptations of the Chandler novel, something the other version didn't have.

The film works because of the presence of Dick Powell. He was a good actor who came from a different world into playing Marlowe. Mr. Powell is the glue that holds all the action together. He doesn't make us believe he is a super hero, he is just a regular man on a mission for solving the mystery of Velma's disappearance for his client, Moose Malloy, but he gets side tracked by circumstances that bring him back to Velma, after being hit and doped by the people that don't want him to get to the truth.

Claire Trevor contributed to the success of the film with her duplicitous Helen, who we realize is holding out on us. Anne Shirley, who plays Ann Grayle, is of two minds, while hating her attractive step mother, Helen, she will do anything to separate her from the father she adores. Mike Mazurki is the burly Moose Malloy. Otto Kruger and Don Walton have important moments among the supporting cast.

"Murder My Sweet" was given a great look by Harry Wild. His impression of Los Angeles, at night, and the interesting camera angles he photographed, are what distinguishes this film and makes it a classic. The atmospheric music is by Ray Webb. Director Edward Dmytryk showed he was inspired in this production that remains a must see for all fans of the genre.

This is the second filming of Raymond Chandler's novel, "Farewell My Lovely". Oddly, the first version was made just a few years ago and was a Falcon series film--with George Sanders instead of Phillip Marlow. While Sanders was quite dapper and sophisticated, he was nothing like the hard-boiled and sarcastic Marlow. Despite this, it was still a dandy film and it actually stayed closer to the original story in some places--particularly the ending (which, oddly, MURDER, MY SWEET screws up). I've also seen the Robert Mitchum version made in the 1970s, and while it's good, overall MURDER, MY SWEET is the best of the three film versions.

Perhaps the best thing about MURDER, MY SWEET is how well Dick Powell fit into this tough guy role. While in the past he was known as a "pretty boy" and a song and dance man, here he is all sarcasm--much like Bogart's rendition of Marlow in THE BIG SLEEP and Robert Montgomery's in THE LADY IN THE LAKE. All three veteran actors did a great job at catching the character, though (and I know this will sound like heresy),I liked Montgomery's version the best--he took sarcasm and being a total jerk to a level the other two didn't quite reach. I'm sure some of this was due to Montgomery, but having excellent writers also helped a lot.

As for the movie, like the other two versions I mentioned (THE FALCON TAKES OVER with a score of 8 and FAREWELL MY LOVELY also an 8),it is rather sanitized. Marlow is a smart-aleck--not quite as cold and hard-bitten as he is in the book and the Black neighborhoods and prostitutes and all are somehow missing or look amazingly Hollywood-ish. However, given the censorship codes of the time, you can't blame the first two films from changing the plot--at least in some places--otherwise the film never would have been shown!

Now despite these problems, this is a wonderful Film Noir picture---with a complicated but excellent plot, very good acting, writing and direction and it can't help but keep your interest. For a Chandler novel, you can't get much better even with its mistakes and omissions (though I still think LADY IN THE LAKE is a tad better--but not by much--both are 9s).

By the way, with a few negative story elements you might wonder HOW I still could give this film a 9. The dialog and suspense were so good, even with a few problems, it's a dynamite film.

Love film-noir. Get a lot of enjoyment out of the Philip Marlowe stories by Raymond Chandler. Of which there have been many decent to great adaptations of. Haven't seen enough of Edward Dymytryk's films yet to judge him properly as a director, but the films that have been seen have been hit and miss but with no bearing on him and more the films overall. Was interested yet curious in Dick Powell's casting and wondered as to whether he would pull it off.

Was not disappointed at all in 'Farewell, My Lovely' (aka its original title 'Murder, My Sweet', as has been pointed out the film was re-named to that title to avoid confusion of an already existing title for a musical). It is a great film and very nearly one of the finest examples of film noir. Also find it one of the best adaptations of the Philip Marlowe stories and in no way disgraces Raymond Chandler at all. It is not as ahead of its time as the original story, but does incredibly well considering the censorship limitations in creating a film that was both highly suspenseful and highly entertaining, plus it is still hardly tame, far from it. As proven by a dream sequence brought on by heroin injection.

Hardly anything to fault 'Farewell, My Lovely', though maybe the ending could have been rounded off a little bit more. That is a nit-pick though. Do agree with those who say some of the story is messy from getting over-complicated in places but it didn't bother me hugely.

Visually, on the other hand, one cannot believe that 'Farewell, My Lovely' was shot apparently in forty four days when it looks so much better than many films that took significantly longer to make. In fact, of all the films seen recently it's one of the best looking, the dark, gritty atmosphere literally dripping off the screen, the photography captures the mood perfectly. The music is recycled but doesn't sound it at all, nothing cheap about it at all and it fits rather than being at odds.

'Farewell, My Lovely' is superbly directed by Dymytryk, who always keeps the story interesting, doesn't allow the atmosphere to dip, is alert yet accomodating and directs with style and taste. Of the films seen of his, this is his best film and contains his best directing. The script is taut and while there isn't any extraneous fat or rambling things are not skimmed over. The story is not perfectly executed, but when it comes to delivering on the suspense and grit 'Farewell, My Lovely' is a masterclass. The mystery keeps one guessing with many of moments that one does not predict at all, and there is a lot of unsettlement and fun action. There is also some of the most effective use of the voice over device for any film seen recently (and ever) by me, one that adds to the storytelling and makes it clearer while not over-explaining.

Powell is cast against type, usually associated with light-hearted musicals which this as one can guess is a far cry from, this is his grittiest role perhaps and there was curiosity as to whether he would work in a tough guy role or whether he would be anaemic. To my, and many people's, surprise, Powell turned out to be perfectly cast, one of his best performances and it was like seeing a completely different Powell. Mike Mazurki is effectively intimidating and couldn't have been a more ideal Moose Malloy, while Claire Trevor's Velma is unforgettable.

In summary, truly terrific. 9/10