My wife and I (finally) watched Double Indemnity last night on TCM. As Fred McMurray and Barbara Stanwyk were attempting to leave the murder scene by the railroad tracks, her 1937 LaSalle sedan wouldn't start.
"Been there, done that."
One wonders whether or not Director Billy Wilder "knew" that Cadillacs and LaSalles of the era were hard to start to add a little drama to the scene?
Don't know what you mean Barry? My 37 starts first time every time. Truly :)
We did also watch the movie . As the car was 7 years old at the filming scene, and not difficult to start in those days, Wilder, purposely added a suspense scene for the viewers.
I was intrigued also by the bright shine on the hood of the '38 Chrysler in the garage scene. I remember growing up in the late 1940s that down the street on the other side from us was a '37 Dodge in dark blue that had morfed into sort of a burgundy smear type of paint, kind of like oil mixed with water. Seeing that bright shine was kind of a revelation given what it ended up with after a few years.
One of my favorite movies.
I think hard starting of a warm engine was all but common knowledge back in those days.
I got a kick out of the drive-in for beer served at your car.... 8)
Barry...if you liked Double Indemnity, you will enjoy Sunset Boulevard, also directed by Billy Wildler.
We watched the second movie as well, which "starred" a 1941 Buick Special? When a good shot of the LH "A" pillar came up, I tried to make out whether it was a Special or Century. It appeared that the lettering was blurred on purpose. I used to have a Century, but can't remember whether it had four or five louvers behind the hood release with the lettering on it.
Five louvers for the big series Barry and four for the others.
Quote from: Barry M Wheeler #2189 on May 22, 2016, 01:24:21 PM
We watched the second movie as well, which "starred" a 1941 Buick Special? When a good shot of the LH "A" pillar came up, I tried to make out whether it was a Special or Century. It appeared that the lettering was blurred on purpose. I used to have a Century, but can't remember whether it had four or five louvers behind the hood release with the lettering on it.
We must be talking about two different films Barry.
The automotive star of
Sunset was, beyond any doubt, the Isotta Fraschini!
"...I am big. It's the pictures that got small...
Double Indemnity is one of the great films of all time!
With regard to the LaSalle with the hot start problem, I read somewhere that Wilder was driving his Cadillac to the studio during filming and stopped at a store for a moment. When he came out, his car cranked slowly and barely started.
That gave him the idea for the suspenseful scene after the killing.