The Cinematheque

“The sleekest of noirs, the chicest of murders, and deliciously twisted … A truly haunting study of obsession.”

James Monaco, The Movie Guide

“Everyone’s favourite chic murder mystery” (Pauline Kael), Otto Preminger’s necrophilic noir puts a macabre new spin on the notion of the femme fatale. Gene Tierney, in her signature role, is the late title character, killed by a shotgun blast that has left her body difficult to positively identify. Dana Andrews is McPherson, the detective investigating Laura’s homicide. The sordid circle of suspects includes acid-tongued radio personality Waldo Lydecker (magnificently played by Clifton Webb), and parasitic playboy Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price), Laura’s philandering fiancé. The investigation takes an unexpected and unsettling turn when detective McPherson finds himself falling in love … with the murder victim! Joseph LaShelle’s cinematography won an Oscar.

“Even by the standards of the period, the lighting in Laura is a treat; if you let Rembrandt loose in a series of New York apartments, this is what you’d get.”

Anthony Lane, The New Yorker

“Noir is known for its convoluted plots and arbitrary twists, but even in a genre that gave us The Maltese Falcon, this takes some kind of prize … Laura continues to weave a spell.”

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times