Dixon "Dix" Steele (Humphrey Bogart) hasn't written a hit script since before the war. While out to meet his usual crew of drinking buddies, he is asked to adapt a novel. Not interested in reading the book, he invites Mildred, the hat check girl, to his home so she can tell him the plot; she had just finished the book while he was at the bar. Shortly after midnight she leaves. At 5 AM, Dix hears knocking on his door and it is his old pal, Brub Nicolai. Brub was a soldier under his command during the war and is now a police detective. At the police station, Dix is told that Mildred was found dead and he's the last person with her. Also, Dixon has a violent history, including a scuffle he had at the bar last night before taking Mildred home. His disinterested attitude about her death alarm the detectives. It looks bad. However, his neighbor had seen him. Soon, Laurel Gray (Gloria Grahame) arrives at the station and provides an alibi, stating that she saw Mildred leave alone at 12:30 AM. Dix finds he is attracted to Laurel and it was not by chance that she had noted the departure of the girl. Soon, they are a couple and he is adapting the script in a flood of productivity that thrills his agent. However, his violent outbursts and the continuing murder investigation begin to give Laurel doubts. Can the relationship survive the strain?
The growing tension is done quite well. From the initial infatuation to the slow creep of doubts. Laurel's suspicions trigger angry outburst from Dix that further increase Laurel's distrust. Once it starts, it's a vicious cycle and played to perfection by Bogart and Grahame. Made the same year as Sunset Blvd., a movie about another troubled screenwriter.
Recommended.
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