Double Indemnity

Production period: 27 September — 24 November 1943.

In the script the main character was named Walter ness. However, Wilder learned in time that in Beverly hills lives a real insurance agent named Walter ness. To avoid libel, the hero's name was changed to Walter Neff.

Billy Wilder had very little time to find an actor for the lead role. But one by one many Hollywood actors (George Raft) refusal to meet him. Only agreed Fred Macmurray – partly because I have long wanted to get rid of the annoying role Comedy performer.

Of all the actors that have been accessed by Wilder, Walter's role he wanted to play only dick Powell. But he was bound by a contract with another company that refused to let him go. Enraged, Powell broke the contract, but it was too late – the role has already gone to Macmurray.

The role of Phyllis, the Director only wanted Barbara Stanwyck. However, she doubted whether she should play a ruthless bitch. Then Wilder asked her, "are You a mouse or an actress?"

Billy Wilder made Barbara Stanwyck to carry the entire film on a white wig. He later decided that the wig looks bad, unnatural, but to alter anything was already too late. In an interview Wilder has stated that he deliberately did so to keep the wig on Stanwyck looked bad. A producer buddy John. Desilva, hinting at the wig, quipped: "We hired Barbara Stanwyck and got George Washington."

In the scene where Neff kisses Phyllis, you notice on his finger a wedding ring. The fact that Macmurray was married and had long been accustomed not pay attention to the ring.

Scenario Wilder wrote, along with the famous author of detectives, Raymond Chandler. They could barely get along with each other, often quarreled, and one day Chandler slammed the door and left, saying that he would return only when his demands are met. Requirements are met, and he did.

Wilder invited Chandler to the sponsors, as was admired in his novel "the Big sleep". He was disappointed when it turned out that Chandler is closed, always drunk, he smokes like a chimney, not able to think of furious dialogue and, moreover, as Wilder said, trying to push through the scenario his sexual frustration. It was the first attempt by Chandler to work for the movie.

Mr. Dietrichson, husband of Phyllis, works in an oil company. This notion Chandler, who himself worked for some time, "the oil industry worker".

George Raft was ready to play the role of Neff only under one condition – if in the finals he suddenly found that his character was a FBI agent who pushes into the trap of Phyllis Dietrichson. The claim was absurd

The film is based on a novel by James M. Cain. The work of Kane based on a true crime, 1927, which shook the whole of America.

In 1992, the Library of Congress included "Double indemnity" in the national registry of films.

The first scenario sketches appeared in 1935, but was blocked by the censors of the Hays code, which found the story immoral.

In one of the shots captured screenwriter Raymond Chandler, accidentally caught in the camera lens.

After killing Walter and Phyllis can't start the car. Wilder added that scene after his own car wouldn't start during the day.

In one of the scenes of Neff and Keyes out into the hall and continue the conversation in the hallway. Neff holds a hand through the half-open door, behind which at this moment hides the Phillies. However, by all the laws of fire safety in this building, the door cannot open outward only inward.

First, Billy Wilder had planned to finish the movie scene where Keyes watches Neff sent to the gas chamber.

Other final chord could be the stage where the Case is desperate watches Neff enough police. However, Wilder decided that the desperation of the Case can be explained only if Neff would die in his arms.

In the 3rd series of the 5th season of "house of cards", the main characters Francis and Claire underwood watching this film on election day.