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Synopsis: In this classic film noir, insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) gets roped into a murderous scheme when he falls for the sensual Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck), who is intent on killing her husband (Tom Powers) and living off the fraudulent accidental death claim. Prompted by the late Mr. Dietrichson's daughter, Lola (Jean Heather), insurance investigator Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) looks into the case, and gradually begins to uncover the sinister truth.
Year:
1944
850,407 Views


FADE IN:

A-1 LOS ANGELES - A DOWNTOWN INTERSECTION

It is night, about two o'clock, very light traffic.

At the left and in the immediate foreground a semaphore

traffic signal stands at GO. Approaching it at about thirty

miles per hour is a Dodge 1938 coupe. It is driven erratically

and weaving a little, but not out of control.

When the car is about forty feet away, the signal changes to

STOP. Car makes no attempt to stop but comes on through.

A-2 A LIGHT NEWSPAPER TRUCK

is crossing the intersection at right angles. It swerves and

skids to avoid the Dodge, which goes on as though nothing

had happened. The truck stops with a panicky screech of tires.

There is a large sign on the truck: "READ THE LOS ANGELES

TIMES". The truck driver's infuriated face stares after the

coupe.

A-3 THE COUPE

continues along the street, still weaving, then slows down

and pulls over towards the curb in front of a tall office

building.

A-4 THE COUPE

stops. The headlights are turned off. For a second nothing

happens, then the car door opens slowly. A man eases himself

out onto the sidewalk and stands a moment leaning on the

open door to support himself. He's a tall man, about thirty-

five years old. From the way he moves there seems to be

something wrong with his left shoulder.

He straightens up and painfully lowers his left hand into

his jacket pocket. He leans into the car. He brings out a

light-weight overcoat and drapes it across his shoulders. He

Rate this script:3.5 / 8 votes

Billy Wilder

Billy Wilder was an Austrian-born American filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, artist and journalist, whose career spanned more than fifty years and sixty films. more…

All Billy Wilder scripts | Billy Wilder Books

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    "Scripts.com" Scripts.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.scripts.com/>.

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