Response to Episode 50: The Blue Dahlia (Eric Harvey)

Eric Harvey, a Junior at Reed College, responds to Episode 50: The Blue Dahlia with a thoughtful commentary on the scholarship on this film. Harvey focuses on how director Marshall weakens the potential power of Chandler's screenplay by comparing the finished film with Chandler's actual screenplay directions. Harvey addresses stories about Chandler's drinking during the writing of the screenplay, with a special focus on James Naremore's recent scholarship on Chandler's "lack of an ending" for The Blue Dahlia. Harvey concludes by addressing the role of the Breen Office and the Navy and pointing out how censorship forced key changes to the final film, all contrary to Chandler's original vision for the story.