
The Big Sleep is a film noir released in 1946, directed by Howard Hawks, and starring Humphrey Bogart as private detective Philip Marlowe. The film is based on Raymond Chandler's 1939 novel of the same name and was produced by Warner Bros. The plot revolves around blackmail, murder, and intrigue, with Marlowe navigating a web of gamblers, pornographers, killers, and blackmailers in Los Angeles, California. The film was made entirely on the Warner Bros lot in Burbank, but many of the locations are based on real places in Los Angeles, such as Hollywood Boulevard and North Kenmore Avenue. A remake of the film was released in 1978, relocating the story from Los Angeles to London.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of release | 1946 |
| Director | Howard Hawks |
| Cast | Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Elisha Cook Jr, Charles Waldron |
| Author of the adapted novel | Raymond Chandler |
| Locations | Los Angeles, California |
| Filming location | Warner Bros lot, 4000 Warner Boulevard in Burbank |
| Locations based on real places | Marlowe’s 'Cahuenga Building' was the former Security Pacific Bank building at 6381 Hollywood Boulevard; 'Geiger’s' shady bookstore was supposedly based on Book Treasury, which stood at 6707 Hollywood Boulevard; the apartment at which Joe Brody is murdered is on the corner of Palmerston Place and North Kenmore Avenue, just north of Franklin Avenue in Los Feliz |
| Remake | 1978, starring Robert Mitchum; the setting was changed from 1940s Los Angeles to 1970s London |
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What You'll Learn

Los Angeles, California
The 1946 film noir adaptation of Raymond Chandler's novel, The Big Sleep, was directed by Howard Hawks and starred Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. The film was made entirely on the Warner Bros lot in Burbank, California, but many of the locations depicted are based on real places in Los Angeles.
The story follows private detective Philip Marlowe (Bogart) as he is hired by General Sternwood (Charles Waldron) to protect his wild daughter, Carmen Sternwood (Martha Vickers). Marlowe's journey takes him through the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, from the parties in the Hills to the small fires on Skid Row and the night lights in Malibu.
One of the most notable locations in the film is Marlowe's 'Cahuenga Building', which was based on the former Security Pacific Bank building at 6381 Hollywood Boulevard. In the 1990s, this intersection was designated a Historic-Cultural Monument and renamed Raymond Chandler Square. Another important location is 'Geiger's' shady bookstore, which was supposedly based on Book Treasury at 6707 Hollywood Boulevard. The apartment where Joe Brody is murdered is also located in Los Angeles, on the corner of Palmerston Place and North Kenmore Avenue, just north of Franklin Avenue in Los Feliz.
The 1946 version of The Big Sleep is renowned for its witty dialogue, complex characters, and the sizzling chemistry between Bogart and Bacall. It is considered a classic of film noir and has left an enduring impact on popular culture.
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Raymond Chandler Square
The 1946 film, directed by Howard Hawks, is considered a film noir classic. It stars Humphrey Bogart as private detective Philip Marlowe and Lauren Bacall as Vivian Rutledge. The story begins with blackmail and leads to multiple murders. The film was made entirely on the Warner Bros lot in Burbank, California, but many locales are based on real locations in Los Angeles.
One of these real locations is Marlowe's 'Cahuenga Building', which was the former Security Pacific Bank building at 6381 Hollywood Boulevard, on the northeast corner of Cahuenga in Hollywood—the intersection now known as Raymond Chandler Square. 'Geiger's' shady bookstore was supposedly based on Book Treasury, which stood at 6707 Hollywood Boulevard, and the apartment where Joe Brody is murdered is on the corner of Palmerston Place and North Kenmore Avenue, just north of Franklin Avenue in Los Feliz.
The 1978 remake, directed by Michael Winner, relocates the story from Los Angeles to London. It stars Robert Mitchum as Philip Marlowe and James Stewart as General Sternwood. The story focuses on Marlowe, a private investigator hired by Sternwood to investigate a case of blackmail against one of his daughters.
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6381 Hollywood Boulevard
The 1946 film adaptation of Raymond Chandler's novel, 'The Big Sleep', was made entirely on the Warner Bros lot at 4000 Warner Boulevard in Burbank, California. However, many of the locations depicted in the film are based on real places in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
One of the most notable locations in the film is Marlowe's 'Cahuenga Building', which was based on the former Security Pacific Bank building at 6381 Hollywood Boulevard, on the northeast corner of Cahuenga in Hollywood. This intersection was designated a Historic-Cultural Monument in the 1990s and named Raymond Chandler Square. The building serves as a key location in the film, with Marlowe's office being based there.
The area surrounding 6381 Hollywood Boulevard has a rich history and has been associated with various businesses and events over the years. Nearby locations include the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, just 134 feet to the southwest, and the Scum and Villiany Cantina, 31 feet to the east.
In addition to the iconic 6381 Hollywood Boulevard location, other real-life locations in Los Angeles inspired scenes in 'The Big Sleep'. For example, 'Geiger's' shady bookstore, featured in the film, was supposedly based on Book Treasury, located at 6707 Hollywood Boulevard. Moreover, the apartment where Joe Brody is murdered is said to be on the corner of Palmerston Place and North Kenmore Avenue, just north of Franklin Avenue in Los Feliz.
The 1978 remake of 'The Big Sleep', starring Robert Mitchum, shifted the setting from 1940s Los Angeles to 1970s London. Despite the change in location, the film remained true to the noir style of the original.
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Palmerston Place and North Kenmore Avenue
The 1946 film noir *The Big Sleep* was made entirely on the Warner Bros lot in Burbank, California. However, many of the locations depicted in the film are based on real places in Los Angeles.
One such location is the apartment where Joe Brody is murdered, which is located on the corner of Palmerston Place and North Kenmore Avenue, just north of Franklin Avenue in Los Feliz.
Palmerston Place is a small street in the Los Feliz neighbourhood of Los Angeles. The area is known for its mix of residential and commercial buildings, including apartments, houses, and small businesses. The intersection of Palmerston Place and North Kenmore Avenue is located just a few blocks away from Los Feliz Boulevard, one of the main thoroughfares in the neighbourhood.
North Kenmore Avenue is another street in the Los Feliz area, running parallel to Palmerston Place. The avenue is home to a variety of apartment buildings and houses, as well as some small shops and restaurants. The corner of North Kenmore Avenue and Palmerston Place is a quiet intersection, mostly residential, with a mix of single-family homes and small apartment buildings.
The use of these specific locations adds a layer of authenticity to the film, as it grounds the story in a recognisable and realistic setting. By including details such as the names of streets and neighbourhoods, the film creates a sense of place that enhances the overall narrative and helps to immerse the viewer in the world of the characters.
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London, England
The 1978 neo-noir film The Big Sleep is set in 1970s London, England. It is the second film adaptation of Raymond Chandler's 1939 novel of the same name, directed by Michael Winner and starring Robert Mitchum as private detective Philip Marlowe. The story's setting was changed from 1940s Los Angeles in the original novel and the 1946 film adaptation to 1970s London.
The film depicts Marlowe's investigation of the homosexual pornographer, Arthur Geiger, which leads him to uncover various secrets and crimes, including blackmail, drug addiction, pornography, and nudity. The story unfolds in the stately home of General Sternwood, who hires Marlowe to uncover the identity of his blackmailer.
The London setting provides a new backdrop for the film's explicit exploration of themes that could only be hinted at in the 1946 version. The change in location from Los Angeles to London adds a layer of intrigue and creates a distinct atmosphere for the film's narrative.
The 1978 version of The Big Sleep showcases the city of London in a different era, reflecting the cultural and societal changes that had occurred since the 1940s. The film's portrayal of London captures the unique style and atmosphere of the city during the 1970s, offering a fresh perspective on the classic noir story.
Through its setting in London, England, the 1978 film adaptation of The Big Sleep presents a new take on Raymond Chandler's novel, offering a different visual landscape and cultural context while retaining the compelling narrative and complex characters that define the story.
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