In honor of Larry Goldstein, who writes so well on poetry and the movies, I thought I'd toss out these quick quiz questions:
In Double Indemnity, Billy Wilder's 1944 movie based on James M. Cain's novel, insurance man Fred MacMurray (Walter Neff) conspires with ultimate femme fatale Barbara Stanwyck (Phyllis Dietrichson) to eliminate her husband and collect the insurance. The murder is executed beautifully, but Neff's
associate Edward G. Robinson (claims adjuster and smart sleuth Barton Keyes) seems to have solved much of the mystery, and the adulterous couple quarrel, and then . .
What are Walter Neff's last words and to whom does he say them? They are the movie's last words, and while not quite as perfect as the last words in Some Like It Hot, they are pretty damn interesting.
For extra credit, what are the last words in Some Like It Hot, and who says them to whom, and why?
-- DL
This is what I get for trying to cheat. I went to YouTube to find the final scene of "Double Indemnity," and they have the whole movie posted EXCEPT the final scene. Shoot!
However, do I still get extra credit for knowing "Some Like It Hot?" The last words are spoken by Osgood (Joe E. Brown) to Jack Lemmon (Jerry/Daphne) - "Nobody's perfect" - after Jack has finally taken off his wig and said, "I'm a man!" One of my top three favorite movies. Laugh-out-loud-funny even after seeing it about a million times.
As penance for trying to cheat, I'm going to go buy "Double Indemnity" on DVD and memorize the last lines.
Posted by: Laura Orem | January 16, 2009 at 05:45 PM
What are you other two favorite films, LO?
Posted by: DL | January 17, 2009 at 03:06 AM
Moonstruck is another one - the third one shifts around - A Night at the Opera, Rear Window, The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca - I have eclectic taste (or no focus).
I've started to get into Fritz Lang, though - I saw "M" for the first time a few months ago, and was blown away. "Fury" with Spencer Tracy - I first saw that when I was about 16 and have loved it since then. I'm probably the only person of my generation who hasn't seen "Metropolis" yet - I'm looking forward to it!
But, you didn't say, do I get the points for "Some Like it Hot"?
Posted by: Laura Orem | January 17, 2009 at 07:35 AM