DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944) Newspaper promotional photo

[Los Angeles: Paramount Pictures, 1944]. Vintage original 8 x 10″ (20 x 25 cm.) black-and-white single weight glossy silver gelatin photo. Minor crease at bottom right corner, near fine.

The feel of noir is evidenced in this rather provocative character portrait exploring the dark romantic entanglement between characters Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) and femme fatale Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck). Though posed for publicity, the actors promote their full characterizations, relationship and feel of the story. The shadowed background further exemplifies the feeling of the genre created at this time in film history, named film noir. Stanwyck exudes coldness and passion. 

Photo was used for inclusion in a newspaper article and has sizing marks at the top blank white margin as well as the usage in stamp on the verso for the Buffalo Courier Express dated July 30, 1944.