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Laura (1944 film)

Laura
Laura23234.jpg
Directed by Otto Preminger
Produced by Otto Preminger
Screenplay by
Based on Laura
1943 novel
by Vera Caspary
Starring
Music by David Raksin
Cinematography Joseph LaShelle
Edited by Louis Loeffler
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release date
  • October 11, 1944 (1944-10-11)
Running time
88 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $1.02 million
Box office $2 million (rentals)

Laura is a 1944 American film noir produced and directed by Otto Preminger. It stars Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews and Clifton Webb along with Vincent Price and Judith Anderson. The screenplay by Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein and Betty Reinhardt is based on the 1943 novel Laura by Vera Caspary.

In 1999, Laura was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". AFI named it one of the 10 best mystery films of all time, and it also appears on Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" series.

New York City police detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) is investigating the murder of a beautiful and highly successful advertising executive, Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney). Laura has apparently been killed by a shotgun blast to the face, just inside the doorway of her apartment.

He first interviews charismatic newspaper columnist Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb), an imperious, effete dandy, who relates how he met Laura and became her mentor. She had become his platonic friend and steady companion and he used his considerable fame, influence, and connections to advance her career.

McPherson also questions Laura's parasitic playboy fiancé, Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price), a "kept man" and companion of her wealthy socialite aunt, Ann Treadwell (Judith Anderson). Treadwell is tolerant of her niece's infatuation with Shelby, which appears to be out of her practical acceptance of Shelby's need for the affection of a woman who is his own age. All the while, Treadwell is carrying on with Carpenter and giving him money. Detective McPherson finally questions Laura's loyal housekeeper, Bessie Clary (Dorothy Adams).


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