When smalltime insurance salesman walter huff meets seductive phyllis nirdlinger. Phyllis dietrichson is not the ultimate femme fatale. This book assesses the entire case, from grisly slaying and shabby coverup to sharp police work and aftermath. Double indemnity is a 1943 crime novel, written by american journalistturned novelist james. Many say that double indemnity was one of cains masterpieces, and it was made into a movie, which was named after the novel. In the 1944 production, she was played by barbara stanwyck stanwyck was nominated for the academy award for best actress for her performance in the film version. Resonant of the footloose jazz age, it made persistent headlines, led to a sensational trial, spawned a 1920s broadway play, and two classic film noirs of the 1940s. The book was first published in serial form for liberty magazine in 1936. Phyllis dietrichson phyllis nirdlinger, in the book is a fictional character in the book and two film adaptations of james m. Double indemnity novel project gutenberg selfpublishing. Robinson for barton keyes as i was reading, but i kind of liked that.
Double indemnity is a clear example of the latter, almost belonging in a subgenre by itself. Download double indemnity crime masterworks pdf ebook. Double indemnity, published in 1934, is cains second novel and is set in the. Still, he is savvy enough to get through the door and get the prospect talking, except that when he makes a call to a certain mr. Moreover ruths husband was killed for the money of his life insurance, which contained a double. Following that, double indemnity appeared as a one of three long short tales in the collection three of a kind.
Walter is aware of that accident insurance coverage pays double indemnity on railroad mishaps, so he and phyllis plot frantically to get nirdlinger onand offa practice with out arousing the suspicions of the police, the insurance coverage. Walter knows that accident insurance pays double indemnity on railroad mishaps, so he and phyllis plot frantically to get nirdlinger onand offa train without this brief but complex novel is a perfect example of the ordinaryguygonedisastrouslywrong story that cain always pulls off brilliantly. By reading it, one can learns why but that is not the only observation that can be made. As vinnie so aptly pointed out, its a film which easily opens itself up to that special sort of parody which also works as an homage the same way a shot of a flock of birds nesting on a. Insurance agent walter huff falls for the married phyllis nirdlinger, who consults him. Cain tautly narrated and excruciatingly suspenseful, double indemnity gives us an xray view of guilt, of duplicity, and of the kind of obsessive, loveless love that devastates everything it touches. Double indemnity and the postman always rings twice. Read download double indemnity pdf pdf book library. Double indemnity is the story of insurance salesman walter huff who, in paying a call on a client one day, meets instead the clients wife phyllis nirdlinger, finds himself immediately attracted to her. Phyllis wanted to buy an accident policy on her husband. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades.
Still, as far as the book goes, hes a relatively minot character. Double indemnity available for download and read online in other formats. Walter huff is an insurance investigator like any other until the day he meets the beautiful and dangerous phyllis nirdlinger and falls under her spell. Was wilder playing a joke on marlene dietrich, his exiled compatriot similarly, in the book, walters last name is huff, not neff. Read book double indemnity james m cain double indemnity james m cain double indemnity james m cain double indemnity is a 1943 crime novel, written by american journalist turned novelist james m. Free download or read online double indemnity pdf epub book. Learn double indemnity cain with free interactive flashcards. The novel later served as the basis for the film of the same name in 1944, adapted for the screen by the novelist raymond chandler and directed by. Double indemnity by james m cain a season of plays adapted from novels which became celebrated hollywood films noirs, beginning with james m cains tense thriller. Synopsis double indemnity is the classic tale of an evil woman motivated by greed who corrupts a weak man motivated by lust. In a city where insurance salesmen are close to the bottom of the social pecking order, walter huff rates as average. Walter huff, an insurance agent, falls for the married phyllis nirdlinger, who consults him.
Walter huff was an insurance salesman with an unfailing instinct for clients who might be in. Choose from 62 different sets of double indemnity cain flashcards on quizlet. Pdf double indemnity download full pdf book download. Tweet about the double indemnity study guide email the double. The first edition of the novel was published in 1936, and was written by james m. Walter huff was an insurance salesman with an unfailing instinct for clients who might be in trouble. Why do insurance companies pay double indemnity on railroad accidents. In cains novella, its phyllis nirdlinger, not dietrichson. Walter huff is an insurance coverage investigator like some other till the day he meets the gorgeous and harmful phyllis nirdlinger and falls beneath her spell. Cains classic 1936 tale of lust and murder and insurance. Nirdlinger believes that he is signing a renewal for his automobile insurance when he is really signing an application for accidental death insurance. How much does huff figure they could get for a railroad. The main characters of this fiction, mystery story are.
Cain, virtuoso of the roman noir, gives us a tautly narrated and excruciatingly suspenseful story in double indemnity, an xray view of guilt, of duplicity, and of the kind. Double indemnity was first published in 1935 and affirmed james m. Barton keyes is the dogged, determined investigator for general fidelity of california who puts it all together in double indemnity, james m. Cain, virtuoso of the roman noir, gives us a tautly narrated and excruciatingly suspenseful story in double indemnity, an xray view of guilt, of duplicity, and of the kind of obsessive, loveless love that devastates everything it touches. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 115 pages and is available in paperback format. Double indemnity is a 1934 detective novella by james m cain.
Walter knows that accident insurance pays double indemnity on railroad mishaps, so he and phyllis plot frantically to get nirdlinger onand offa train without arousing the suspicions of the police, the insurance company, nirdlinger \s dishy daughter, her mysterious boyfriend, or nirdlinger himself. Walter huff was an insurance salesman with an unfailing instinct for clients who might be in trouble, and his instinct led. Double indemnity, published in 1934, is cains second novel and is set in the young, booming city of hollywood. Having seen the movie a half dozen times or so made it almost impossible not to substitute fred macmurray for walter huff, barbara stanwyck for phyllis nirdlinger and edward g. It was first published in serial form in liberty magazine in 1936 and then was one of three long short tales in the collection three of a kind. Walter knows that accident insurance pays double indemnity on railroad mishaps, so he and phyllis plot frantically to get nirdlinger onand offa train without. What are the three essential elements to a successful murder, according to huff. Stanwycks portrayal of dietrichson is considered one of the best. Double indemnity is a 1943 crime novel, written by american journalistturnednovelist james m. Double indemnity reading questions powered by oncourse.
The most obvious change in the transfer from page to screen is the name of the characters. Double indemnity s tale of a femme fatale seducing a man to help her kill her husband, but this time its to inherit the diner that they run together. It is noticeable that phyllis, the femme fatale of the story, constantly oversteps the boundaries of. The effect of the point of view in double indemnity, novel and screenplay a comparison kay scheffler term paper advanced seminar english language and literature studies literature publish your bachelors or masters thesis, dissertation, term paper or essay. A hercule poirot mystery hercule poirot series book. Double indemnity is a highly influential 1943 crime novel, written by american journalistturnednovelist james m. Cains famous first novel, the postman always rings twice, was published in. Double indemnity is the basic story of an evil lady motivated by greed who corrupts a weak man motivated by lust. Cain this study guide consists of approximately 51 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of double indemnity. The double indemnity novel community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and. It was part of the play that i had to make two or three calls on nirdlinger in his office. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of double indemnity by james m.
Also like double indemnity, this novel was adapted into a successful movie, so if you prefer to view rather than read, check out the film starring lana turner. Download full double indemnity book in pdf, epub, mobi and all ebook format. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Cains double indemnity and the film adaptation by billy wilder and raymond chandler for the may noir book of the month club. Double indemnity, james mallahan cain double indemnity is a 1943 crime novel, written by american journalistturnednovelist james m. Walter huff was an insurance salesman with an unfailing instinct for clients who might be in trouble, and his instinct led him to phyllis nirdlinger. It is even said, by some, to have heavily influenced the roman noir genre, as the movie is said to have had a great impact on the film noir genre see skenazy, 344. The effect of the point of view in double indemnity. Where does all the big money come from on accident insurance.
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