The Blue Dahlia

I originally saw this as part of a Film Noir fest in 1998 at Film Forum after I had first moved to New York. I loved it then and I loved it again upon a second viewing.

Alan Ladd is a veteran who comes back from the war to find that his wife is cheating on him. There's a big fight at a party. Unfortunately for him (and her) she is found murdered the next day. Of course, Ladd is the main suspect. But he's innocent!

To prove his innocence, he has to delve into the seedy LA underground and meet up with some unsavory characters. And one very savory one as well - the smoldering Veronica Lake.

The screenplay was written by Raymond Chandler and has many great lines. Such as:
Johnny Morrison - Ladd: You gotta have more sense than to take chances with strangers like this.
Joyce Harwood - Lake: It's funny but practically all the people were strangers when I met them. I'm going to Malibu. Is that any use to you?
Morrison: What's in Malibu?
Harwood:Houses, people. I have some friends there.

Directed by George Marshall
1946
TCM