The Blue Dahlia (1946): Cast & Plot
The Blue Dahlia is a 1946 mystery crime film directed by George Marshall, starring Alan Ladd as Johnny Morrison, William Bendix and Hugh Beaumont. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- George Marshall
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Blue Dahlia About?
The premise of The Blue Dahlia without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After a hard‑won military service, a veteran discovers his unfaithful wife murdered. With the police convinced he’s culpable, he goes on the run, determined to clear his name and expose the true killer. The film delivers a gritty, double‑dame noir packed with relentless, double‑barrelled action.
The Blue Dahlia Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- on the run
- nightclub owner
- hotel detective
- amnesia
- murder of wife
- friendship between men
- rain
- homecoming
- dysfunctional marriage
- unfaithful wife
- heterosexual relationship
- reference to world war two
+38 more Show fewer
- nightclub
- drunkenness
- death of wife
- post world war two
- 1940s
- war veteran
- marital separation
- murder suspect
- los angeles california
- world war two veteran
- police
- photograph
- loss of son
- blackmail
- bar
- infidelity
- title spoken by character
- abduction
- bourbon
- interrogation
- arrest
- friendship
- adulterous wife
- knocked unconscious
- ptsd post traumatic stress disorder
- phone booth
- ladd and lake
- cheating wife
- ladd and bendix
- united states of america
- suspect
- sleeper hold
- pulling a gun
- drunk driver
- hit with a blackjack
- floor show
- son killed in a car crash
- blue dahlia nightclub
The Blue Dahlia Cast & Characters
Alan Ladd leads the cast as Johnny Morrison, with William Bendix as Buzz Wanchek and Hugh Beaumont as George Copeland. Directed by George Marshall; 69 actors are credited in all.
- Director George Marshall
- Alan Ladd as Johnny Morrison
- William Bendix as Buzz Wanchek
- Hugh Beaumont as George Copeland
- Doris Dowling as Helen Morrison
Also Starring in The Blue Dahlia
· 65 more- Howard Da Silva Eddie Harwood
- Will Wright "Dad" Newell
- Veronica Lake Joyce Harwood
- Howard Freeman Corelli
- Don Costello Leo
- Tom Powers Capt. Hendrickson
- Bess Flowers Coctail Party Guest (uncredited)
- Sam Harris Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- Frank Faylen Man Recommending Motel
- Harry Tyler Bus Station Clerk (uncredited)
- Harry Hayden Mr. Hughes (Assistant Hotel Manager) (uncredited)
- Walter Sande Heath
- Matt Mchugh Bartender at Gus' (uncredited)
- Anthony Caruso Marine Corporal Playing Jukebox (uncredited)
- James Millican Photographer (uncredited)
- Jack Gargan Cab Driver (uncredited)
Show all 69 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Arthur Loft "Wolf" at Bar (uncredited)
- Jay Eaton Bar Patron (uncredited)
- Paul Bradley Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- Eddie Hall Soldier Picking Up Suitcase in Bus Station (uncredited)
- Edward Biby Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- William J. O'Brien Man at Cavendish Apartments (uncredited)
- George Bruggeman Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- Joe Gilbert Cocktail Party Guest (uncredited)
- Mae Busch Jenny (Maid) (uncredited)
- Dick Winslow Dick (Piano Player at Party) (uncredited)
- Jimmie Dundee Gangster Car Driver (uncredited)
- William Meader Cocktail Party Guest (uncredited)
- Charles Fogel Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- Perc Launders Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
- George Sorel Paul (Captain of Waiters) (uncredited)
- Noel Neill Nolie (Hatcheck Girl) (uncredited)
- Jack Rube Clifford Plainclothes Cop (uncredited)
- Franklin Parker Police Stenographer (uncredited)
- George M. Carleton DeAnza Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
- Tom Dillon Cop in Prowl Car (uncredited)
- Mary Bayless Bar Patron (uncredited)
- Vera Marshe Party Guest (uncredited)
- Jerry James Cocktail Party Guest (uncredited)
- Harry Barris Belhop (uncredited)
- Gloria Williams Assistant Maid (uncredited)
- Ed Randolph Cop in George's Apartment (uncredited)
- Nina Borget Waitress (uncredited)
- George Barton Cab Driver (uncredited)
- Charles Anthony Hughes Detective Lt. Lloyd (uncredited)
- Beverly Thompson Party Guest (uncredited)
- Douglas Carter Bus Driver (uncredited)
- John Marlin Doorman (uncredited)
- Paul Gustine Doorman (uncredited)
- Stan Johnson Naval Officer (uncredited)
- Lucy Knoch Cocktail Party Guest (uncredited)
- Roberta Jonay Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
- Albert Ruiz Photographer (uncredited)
- Henry Vroom Master Sergeant (uncredited)
- Audrey Westphal Cocktail Party Guest (uncredited)
- Bea Allen News Clerk (uncredited)
- Brooke Evans Cocktail Party Guest (uncredited)
- Mavis Murray Hatcheck Girl (uncredited)
- Audrey Korn Cocktail Party Guest (uncredited)
- Charles Mayon Party Guest (uncredited)
- Ricky Ricardi Man (uncredited)
- Carmen Clifford Party Guest (uncredited)
- Clark Eggleston Elevator Operator (uncredited)
- Leon Lombardo Bellhop (uncredited)
- Lawrence Young Clerk (uncredited)
The Blue Dahlia Plot Summary
What happens in The Blue Dahlia from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Johnny Morrison, Buzz Wanchek, and George Copeland return to Hollywood as three demobilized United States Navy aviators who flew together from Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific. Buzz carries the weight of shell shock and a metal plate in his head, a constant ache that surfaces in moments of stress, while George tries to stabilize their postwar lives with a shared apartment. The trio’s reunion quickly spirals into a storm of secrets, loyalties, and a city that can swallow the truth whole.
Full summary
The whole story of The Blue Dahlia, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Blue Dahlia?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Which three men return to Hollywood after serving together in the Navy?
Cars in The Blue Dahlia
8 cars on screen, including the 1942 Plymouth Special De Luxe and the 1940 Cadillac Fleetwood 75.
-
1942 Plymouth Special De Luxe Important role -
1940 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Minor role -
1942 Chrysler Minor role -
1942 Chrysler Royal Minor role
The Blue Dahlia Also Known As
23 alternative titles, including “La dalia azul” and “Die blaue Dahlie”.
- Also known as
-
- La dalia azul
- Die blaue Dahlie
- De blauwe dahlia
- Le dahlia bleu
- Синята далия
- A Dália Azul
- Regnvejrsmordet
- Mysteerio sininen dahlia
- Sinisen Dahlian mysteeri
- I galazia dalia
- A kék dália
- La dalia azzurra
+11 more Show fewer
- Blekitna dalia
- Dalia albastra
- Blå dahlian
- Синий георгин
- Синя жоржина
- Dahlia albastră
- 蓝色大丽花
- Η Γαλάζια Ντάλια
- 블루 달리아
- 青い戦慄
- La dàlia blava
Seen The Blue Dahlia?
Movies Like The Blue Dahlia
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Blue Lamp, Who Is the Black Dahlia? and The Black Dahlia.
The Blue Dahlia FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Blue Dahlia, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Blue Dahlia?
The Blue Dahlia runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was The Blue Dahlia released?
The Blue Dahlia was released on April 16, 1946.
Who directed The Blue Dahlia?
The Blue Dahlia was directed by George Marshall.
More films by George Marshall Who is in the cast of The Blue Dahlia?
The Blue Dahlia stars Alan Ladd as Johnny Morrison, William Bendix as Buzz Wanchek and Hugh Beaumont as George Copeland, among 69 credited actors.
Does The Blue Dahlia have a post-credit scene?
No. The Blue Dahlia has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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