For the Love of Film (Noir) Blogathon: The Bookseller Babe in The Big Sleep (1946)

Big Sleep Alternate Poster
Perhaps because I’ve worked as a bookseller, I’ve always felt a special affinity for Dorothy Malone‘s bookstore proprietress in The Big Sleep. In the film private detective Philip Marlowe investigates an increasingly confusing case that centers around a dysfunctional family. Clues keep leading him back to one blond sister or the other. The younger has gotten herself mixed up with an organized crime racket and murder, while the older treats Marlowe like yesterday’s trash and may have a gambling problem. While following up a lead, Marlowe stumbles into Acme Book Shop, and we meet Malone.

Big Sleep (1946) Dorothy Malone's BookStore Proprietress

Dorothy’s role is small, but it’s a plum one. Despite being Plain Janed via glasses and pulled back brown hair, she looks gorgeous. Her thin-framed glasses make her look erudite, and they don’t hide a bit of that beautiful babyface. While her dress is conservative in neckline, sleeve length, and hemline, it’s mainly black, and as the widow’s color it hints at sexual knowledge. Dorothy’s dress’s overlay brings a modern, sharp, and narrow-waisted silhouette to the ensemble. It’s work wear, but executed in a femininely fashion-forward way. She’s the hipster book clerk predecessor to Funny Face and others. She’s the only female to interact with Marlowe as an equal in this film.

Big Sleep (1946) Dorothy Malone & Humphrey Bogart Toasting

She not only passes Marlowe’s book test, but she gives him enough information that he can move on with his case. He tells her she should have been a cop due to her memory and descriptive ability. It’s always in that moment, that I wish the film takes a different turn. Let Bogart have Bacall in real life, but let him have Malone in this reel life. Their characters could have joined forces and become an alternate detective team to Nick and Nora. She’d have her own set of smarts to compliment his, and they could have shown what another, straightforward, screen adult relationship could be.

Alas, this was not to be. This was an instance where the film sticks closer to the book and doesn’t go off in a new direction. Instead we have these few memorable scenes of banter ladened with chemistry:

For those that like to read the subtext, then there’s an interlude that implies much that the Hays Code was against.

In the above scenes time has passed. People have tidied themselves, and the bookshop has re-opened. Marlowe goes back into the rain and on the hunt, but not before our bookseller tempts him to return and buy a book. She wants to see him again. Unfortunately for her and for us, he leaves with a so long and a pat on the arm. He’s not coming back. With that he leaves her and me wondering what if?

If you’ve enjoyed reading my flight of fancy, please consider giving to a great cause, the For the Love of Film (Noir) Blogathon hosted by The Self-Styled Siren and Ferdy on Films, which benefits the Film Noir Foundation. Your contribution will help restore another great film noir. Click on the Bogey-related icon below to make a donation.

For the Love of Film Noir Donate Button 250 x 150
Leave or Read Comments.

bethanngallagher

19 Comments

  1. Reply

    Vanwall

    February 20, 2011

    Yeah, I love Malone in this one – she’s smart and alluring – altho it wouldna mattered if she took her glasses off. When she leans over a little as she sits on the desk after realizing Marlowe is appealing to her intelligence, she was sure as hell more than vaguely interested, and right then, she finishes what she started, walking off with this scene. The rest was her modeling how well it looked on her. I had imagined a good Jewish girl with a yen from the book’s impression, but she went far beyond that. Great post!

    • Reply

      bethanngallagher

      April 16, 2011

      Yes, she steals her scenes in The Big Sleep. That’s why they’ve made such a lasting impression on us. Talented and gorgeous! I have her to thank for inspiring my post.

      • Reply

        Michael

        February 1, 2013

        I love your post on this scene! She looked so much like a high school sweetheart- hip/smart and totally enticing That sense that you write about that Malone and Bogie would have made a great ongoing team is a tantalizing thought – the scene always left me wanting more of her in the movie -a visit later because he couldn’t stop thinking of her … but I hadn’t thought of your particular reverie on it! Superb!

        • Reply

          msbethg

          February 7, 2013

          Thank you, Michael! I’m glad you agree they would have made a great team. An alternative Nick and Nora investigating crimes together? It is a shame he never visits her again. I guess his character preferred the more complicated (i.e. troubled) dames!

  2. Reply

    Marilyn Ferdinand

    February 20, 2011

    Thanks so much for linking these scenes. She is wonderful, and I agree that they would have made beautiful music together walking into the closing credits. Thanks for your support all during the blogathon, Beth Ann. We really appreciate it and your great contributions.

    • Reply

      bethanngallagher

      April 16, 2011

      Thank you, Marilyn. That means a lot coming from you! I had a lot of fun contributing post-wise and financially to the blogathon.

  3. Reply

    cinemafanatic

    February 20, 2011

    such a wonderfully complex film.

    • Reply

      bethanngallagher

      April 16, 2011

      Yes, it all or any part of it could inspire many responses and interpretations.

  4. Reply

    sheila

    February 20, 2011

    Oh, this was such a wonderful post. Wonderful. I have always loved Dorothy Malone, and this scene is just a gem. Thank you so much!! I wonder “what if” too.

    • Reply

      bethanngallagher

      April 16, 2011

      Shelia, I’m glad you enjoyed what I wrote. It’s not hard to be inspired by Dorothy Malone.

  5. Reply

    Rachel

    March 29, 2011

    This is just to let you know that I’ve nominated you for a Stylish Blogger Award. Thanks for your wonderful writing.

    http://thegirlwiththewhiteparasol.blogspot.com/2011/03/stylish-blogger-award.html

    • Reply

      bethanngallagher

      April 16, 2011

      Rachel, I am very honored by your nomination. It’s good encouragement to keep writing here.

  6. Reply

    Mary Clasen

    March 11, 2013

    Who’d of thought shedding light on Noir would be a good thing? Thank you for sharing your insightful thoughts.

    • Reply

      msbethg

      February 17, 2016

      Thank you for the compliment, Mary!

  7. Reply

    Mrs. Gay L. Greene

    January 27, 2016

    Although Dorothy Malone is absolutely wonderful in “The Big Sleep”, it took Hollywood ten years to make use of her acting ability when she was cast in “Written on the Wind”. She has said, in interviews, that she was extremely nervous playing opposite Bogart, but he was very helpful and kind, understanding her apprehension, and he made the scene much easier for her to do. As we know, Ms. Malone went on to star with many other leading men, but none could top Mr. Bogart. I wish her well as she approaches her 91st birthday this Saturday.

    • Reply

      msbethg

      February 17, 2016

      Mrs. Greene, thank you for stopping by, reading, and leaving such an informative comment about Dorothy Malone. She was a remarkably talented actress. It was good to see her get the recognition she deserved at last. Your story shows what a generous performer Bogart could be as well. Yes, let’s hope she had a wonderful birthday!

  8. Reply

    john

    November 18, 2016

    There is a grace note at parting. Ms. Malone’s forlorn arm dropping as the door closes on Marlowe.

    • Reply

      msbethg

      November 20, 2016

      Great catch, John! A great actress like Malone can tell so much in a single, subtle gesture like that one.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Posts