Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > The Big Sleep (1946)
The Big Sleep
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Big Sleep (1946) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 71 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
The Big Sleep (1946) -- Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a rich family. Before the complex case is over, he's seen murder, blackmail, and what might be love.
The Big Sleep (1946) -- Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a rich family. Before the complex case is over, he's seen murder, blackmail, and what might be love.

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 65% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Howard Hawks
Writers:
William Faulkner (screenplay) &
Leigh Brackett (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Big Sleep on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
31 August 1946 (USA) more
Tagline:
The type of man she hated . . . was the type she wanted ! more
Plot:
Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a rich family. Before the complex case is over, he's seen murder, blackmail, and what might be love. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 win more
User Comments:
Classic Film-Noir. Murder and mayhem; and a private dick that doesn't quit. more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
114 min | 116 min (pre-release version)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
Portugal:M/12 | New Zealand:PG | Sweden:(Banned) (original rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Australia:PG (alternate rating) | Canada:14A (video rating) | Chile:18 | Finland:(Banned) (1947-1949) | Finland:K-16 | Germany:16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 (re-rating) (1961) | UK:PG | USA:Approved (PCA #10625) | Iceland:12

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Nina Foch tested for the role of "Carmen." more
Goofs:
Continuity: When the station wagon pulls out of the alley behind Giegers book store, the crates extend past the car body and are on the tail gate. When the station wagon pulls up to the Randall Arms and pulls into the alley, the crates are now fully inside the body of the car. more
Quotes:
Philip Marlowe: I know he was a good man at whatever he did. No one was more pleased than I when I heard you had taken him on as your... whatever he was. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Masters of Horror: Pick Me Up (#1.11)" (2006) more
Soundtrack:
And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine more

FAQ

How closely does the movie follow the novel?
What does the title mean?
Is "The Big Sleep" based on a novel?
more
16 out of 24 people found the following comment useful:-
Classic Film-Noir. Murder and mayhem; and a private dick that doesn't quit., 15 January 2002
8/10
Author: Michael O'Keefe from Muskogee OK

Howard Hawks directs Raymond Chandler's novel on the silver screen. None other than William Faulkner is primary screenplay writer. Bogart and Bacall star in this grand black and white thriller. Private eye Philip Marlowe(Bogart)is hired by a very wealthy family to protect a young woman from her own indiscretions and along the way there is murder, blackmail, car chases and gun play to deal with. Right smack in the middle of this complex case Marlowe finds time to fall in love with his client's eldest daughter(Bacall). Murder galore does not phase our cool detective with the cigarette hanging from his thin lips.

Flawless acting from Bogart and Bacall. There is a very talented supporting cast that includes Regis Toomey, Martha Vickers, Elisha Cook Jr., Bob Steele and John Ridgely. Then there is the charming Dorothy Malone that sizzles in her short time on screen. Very witty dialogue and colorful characters make this a classic among classics.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Big Sleep (1946)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Acme bookstore scene... fouetteforever
Some of the Music charoline
Big sleep v Maltese Falcon frank316
What does the title 'The Big Sleep' really mean ?? mr-asfour
The Big Lebowski batemanswhiskeybottle
Who killed the chaffeur? vwhelan
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Basic Instinct La coda dello scorpione Farewell, My Lovely Murder, My Sweet Body Double
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Crime section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.