Murder My Sweet (1944)

A Short review.  Well-done film noir based on Raymond Chandler's Farewell, My Lovely.  Well directed ( I love Marlowe first seeing "Moose" in a window reflection), and full of Chandler's witty dialogue, I can't be more enthusiastic.  Why? Dick Powell.  He's a mediocre Marlowe and lacks the necessary toughness.  Other flaw? The move tries to cram too much of the book's convoluted plot into 95 minutes.  I lost track of who was beating up Marlowe  -and why.  The supporting cast is good, with  Esther Howard as the standout.  She's boozy "Jessie Florian" and she's a hoot..  Rating ***