Herbie Murray
Raymond Chandler's 1939 novel *The Big Sleep* is set in Los Angeles, California, in the 1930s and 1940s. The story follows private detective Philip Marlowe as he navigates blackmail, murder, and the seedy underbelly of the city. The novel has been adapted into two films: the first, a 1946 film noir directed by Howard Hawks and starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall; and the second, a 1978 neo-noir film directed by Michael Winner, starring Robert Mitchum and set in London. Both films were largely based on the novel's plot and themes, with some changes made to reflect the respective time periods in which they were made.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of setting | 1930s |
| Location | Los Angeles |
| Year of publication | 1939 |
| Author | Raymond Chandler |
| Year of first film adaptation | 1946 |
| Location of film adaptation | Hollywood |
| Year of second film adaptation | 1978 |
| Location of second film adaptation | London |
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What You'll Learn
The 1946 film was shot in Hollywood
The 1946 film adaptation of Raymond Chandler's novel, The Big Sleep, was shot in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The story is set in and around Los Angeles and involves private detective Philip Marlowe (played by Humphrey Bogart) getting entangled in a web of blackmail and multiple murders.
The film was directed by Howard Hawks and also starred Lauren Bacall as Vivian Rutledge, one of the two daughters of General Sternwood. The plot is famously complex and inscrutable, with many interwoven characters and storylines. The story's setting and atmosphere are integral to the film's appeal, and it features several notable locations in Hollywood.
One such location is the former Security Pacific Bank building at 6381 Hollywood Boulevard, on the northeast corner of Cahuenga. This building served as Marlowe's 'Cahuenga Building' in the film. In the 1990s, this intersection was designated a Historic-Cultural Monument, known as Raymond Chandler Square.
Another notable location is the apartment where Joe Brody is murdered, situated on the corner of Palmerston Place and North Kenmore Avenue, just north of Franklin Avenue in Los Feliz. Additionally, 'Geiger's' shady bookstore was supposedly based on Book Treasury, located at 6707 Hollywood Boulevard.
The film's production was influenced by the ongoing World War II, with certain scenes reflecting the impact of the war. For example, a female taxi driver picks up Marlowe in one scene, reflecting how many traditionally male occupations were taken up by women during the war due to the draft. Wartime rationing also left its mark on the film, with references to "red points" for meat rationing and gasoline rationing stickers.
The Big Sleep premiered in New York City on August 23, 1946, and was released by Warner Bros. on August 31, 1946, leaving a lasting impact on film noir and popular culture.
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The 1978 film was set in London
The 1978 neo-noir film The Big Sleep is the second film adaptation of Raymond Chandler's 1939 novel of the same name. The film is directed by Michael Winner and stars Robert Mitchum as the detective Philip Marlowe. The cast also includes Sarah Miles, Candy Clark, Joan Collins, and Oliver Reed, with James Stewart playing the role of General Sternwood.
The 1978 film adaptation is set in London, England, in the 1970s, marking a departure from the setting of the original novel, which was 1940s Los Angeles. This change in setting received mixed reactions from critics. While some reviewers appreciated the updated cultural context, others felt that the new setting detracted from the narrative's geographical and temporal integrity.
In the film, private detective Philip Marlowe is summoned to the stately home of General Sternwood in 1970s London. The general hires Marlowe to investigate a blackmail plot involving his daughter and to locate his missing son-in-law. As Marlowe delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of interconnected secrets and suspicious characters.
The London setting of the 1978 film version of The Big Sleep serves as a backdrop for the story's exploration of themes such as drug addiction, homosexuality, pornography, and nudity. These themes, while present in the original novel, were often only hinted at or obscured due to the censorship constraints of the time. The London setting in the film provides a grittier and more contemporary context for these themes, allowing for a more explicit portrayal of the story's subject matter.
The decision to set the film in London also influenced the aesthetic and stylistic choices in the movie. The urban environment of London, with its mean streets and labyrinthine plotlines, created a distinct atmosphere that differed from the noirish black-and-white aesthetic of the 1940s Los Angeles setting in the novel and the earlier film adaptation.
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The novel is set in Los Angeles
Raymond Chandler's 1939 novel, The Big Sleep, is set in Los Angeles, California. The story follows private detective Philip Marlowe, who is hired by the wealthy and elderly General Sternwood to deal with an attempt by a bookseller named Arthur Geiger to blackmail his wild young daughter, Carmen.
The novel is noted for its complex plot, with characters double-crossing one another and secrets being exposed throughout the narrative. The setting of Los Angeles is integral to the story, as it captures the city's unique energy and atmosphere, from the parties in the Hills to the night lights in Malibu. The city's seedy underbelly is also explored, with references to Skid Row and the pornographer's shop on Hollywood Boulevard.
The 1946 film adaptation of The Big Sleep, directed by Howard Hawks, was also set in Los Angeles. The film stars Humphrey Bogart as Philip Marlowe and Lauren Bacall as Vivian Rutledge. While the film was made entirely on the Warner Bros lot in Burbank, many of the locales were based on real locations in Los Angeles. For example, Marlowe's 'Cahuenga Building' was the former Security Pacific Bank building at 6381 Hollywood Boulevard, and 'Geiger's' shady bookstore was supposedly based on Book Treasury, which stood at 6707 Hollywood Boulevard.
The 1978 remake of the film, directed by Michael Winner, relocated the story from 1940s Los Angeles to 1970s London. This change in setting was not well-received by some critics, who felt that the actors seemed disengaged and that the all-star cast made the already confusing mystery even harder to follow.
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The novel was influenced by the social upheaval of the 1930s
Raymond Chandler's 1939 novel, The Big Sleep, takes place in Los Angeles during the 1930s. The story is noted for its complexity, with characters double-crossing one another and secrets being exposed throughout the narrative. The novel's setting and themes were influenced by the social upheaval of the 1930s, a period marked by economic devastation and widespread unemployment in the United States.
The Great Depression, which began in 1929, had far-reaching effects on American society. The nation experienced rapid economic decline, with unemployment rates soaring to 25%. The Dust Bowl, a period of severe dust storms and drought in the Midwestern "Dust Bowl" states, exacerbated the hardships faced by farmers. Many farmers from states like Oklahoma and Missouri were forced to migrate to California in search of work and a better life.
The social fabric of Los Angeles, where Chandler lived, was undergoing significant changes during this period. The city experienced rapid population growth, with an influx of migrants from the Dust Bowl, Black southerners, and immigrants from China and Mexico, all settling into a segregated city. The expansion of the movie industry also contributed to the city's growth, as L.A. transformed from a city of 500,000 people to a metropolis of 2.2 million during Chandler's residence.
The failures of government intervention and the decline of public welfare added to the social upheaval of the 1930s. The American people lost faith in their government due to repeated intervention failures. The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl severely impacted public welfare, and the nation witnessed a rise in gang violence due to Prohibition.
Chandler's personal experiences during this tumultuous period also influenced his writing. He was fired from his job at an oil company in 1932, which led him to begin writing in the grittier and more cynical hard-boiled genre that reflected the hardships of the time. The language and dialogue in The Big Sleep reflect the vernacular of the 1930s, with thugs, cops, and private investigators speaking in slang. The literature of the 1930s often explored issues of integrity and honor, with characters pitted against larger forces such as corporations and fascism.
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The 1946 film was influenced by World War II
The 1946 film *The Big Sleep* is a classic of the film noir genre, and its production and setting were indeed influenced by the global context of World War II. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Raymond Chandler, published in 1939, but the adaptation was shaped by the war and the social changes it brought.
World War II had a profound impact on Hollywood, with many studios and filmmakers contributing to the war effort by producing propaganda and instructional films. *The Big Sleep* was produced and released in the immediate post-war years, a time of significant social and economic change. The war had led to a massive mobilization of both men and women, with women taking on new roles and responsibilities in the workplace and in society. This shift in gender dynamics is reflected in the film, which features strong female characters who challenge traditional gender norms. For example, the character of Vivian Rutledge (played by Lauren Bacall) is portrayed as intelligent, assertive, and capable of handling herself in a male-dominated world.
The war also brought about a shift in cultural tastes and a desire for more complex and realistic storytelling. Filmgoers sought escapism, but they also craved stories that reflected the complexity and uncertainty of the post-war world. *The Big Sleep*'s complex plot, with its twists and turns and ambiguous morality, reflects this desire for more nuanced storytelling. The film's cynical tone and the exploration of moral ambiguity among its characters also reflect a post-war world that had just emerged from a conflict that challenged traditional notions of good and evil.
Furthermore, the war had a direct impact on the film's setting and production design. The novel is set in Los Angeles, and while the film retains this setting, the war's influence can be seen in the city's depiction. The film showcases a grittier, more realistic portrayal of LA, moving away from the glamorous image of the city often seen in pre-war films. This is likely due to the fact that the war had brought about a housing shortage and a rise in poverty and crime in the city, changing its social fabric. The film's production design reflects this, with a more down-to-earth portrayal of the city, including scenes shot in actual LA locations, adding to the sense of realism.
In conclusion, *The Big Sleep*, released in the aftermath of World War II, is very much a product of its time. The war's impact can be seen in the film's themes, characters, and setting, reflecting the social and cultural changes that took place during this tumultuous period in global history. The film's enduring appeal lies not only in its stellar performances and compelling narrative but also in how it captures the mood and complexities of a world trying to come to terms with the aftermath of a global conflict.
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Frequently asked questions
The 1946 film adaptation of 'The Big Sleep' was filmed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.
The 1978 film adaptation of 'The Big Sleep' was set in London.
The 1939 novel 'The Big Sleep' was set in Los Angeles.
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