Farewell, My Lovely (1975)

83% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(1,287 ratings)

Previously filmed in 1942 as The Falcon Takes Over and in 1944 as Murder, My Sweet, Raymond Chandler's Farewell My Lovely was given its third cinematic go-round under its original title in 1975. Spouting the Chandlerish prose as if it were second nature, Robert Mitchum stars as 1940s private eye… More Previously filmed in 1942 as The Falcon Takes Over and in 1944 as Murder, My Sweet, Raymond Chandler's Farewell My Lovely was given its third cinematic go-round under its original title in 1975. Spouting the Chandlerish prose as if it were second nature, Robert Mitchum stars as 1940s private eye Philip Marlowe, hired by the goonish Moose Malloy (Jack O'Halloran) to locate his former girl friend. This involves Marlowe in the theft of a jade necklace, which in turn leads to murder. All roads seemingly lead to adventuress Mrs. Grayle (Charlotte Rampling), wealthily married but far from satisfied. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Dick Richards
Written By: David Z Goodman, Raymond Chandler, David Zelag Goodman
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Aug 20, 1975 Limited
On DVD: Jun 29, 1999
Studio: AVCO Embassy Pictures

Critic Reviews

Jay Cocks, TIME Magazine
Watching this movie has approximately the same effect as being locked overnight in a secondhand clothing store in Pasadena. There is an awful lot of dust and, after a while, the dummies look as if they are moving.
Variety Staff, Variety
Despite an impressive production and some firstrate performances, this third version fails to generate much suspense or excitement.
Richard Eder, New York Times
It's as if someone had put pillow springs, power-steering and a tape deck into a classic racing-car. It is still handsome and it still goes, but it is a handsome mediocrity.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
"Farewell, My Lovely" is a great entertainment and a celebration of Robert Mitchum's absolute originality.
Adam Lippe, Examiner.com
Like the noir bible says, the only time Marlowe gets actual rest is when he's knocked out by some unseen party, always waking up surrounded by a corpse or two.
, Film4
As movie makeovers go, this is a worthy effort, and thanks to Mitchum's presence, electric entertainment.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
An affectionate adaptation of Raymond Chandler's novel that beautifully evokes the seamy side of 1940s Los Angeles via superb production design and the same period atmosphere cinematographer Alonzo previously evoked for Chinatown.
, Time Out
The film's triumph is Mitchum's definitive Marlowe, which captures perfectly the character's down-at-heel integrity and erratic emotional involvement with his cases.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The film's success lies in Mitchum's hard-boiled portrayal of Marlowe.
Victoria Alexander, FilmsInReview.com
Terrific casting, terrific noir thriller.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A romantic detective story starring Robert Mitchum that harkens back to a time when even gumshoes had their own moral code
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Truly fine neo-noir compares favorably with the 1944 version.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
Mitchum makes a perfect Marlowe.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Cast

            Robert Mitchum as Philip Marlowe

            Charlotte Rampling as Helen Grayle

            John Ireland as Nulty

            Sylvia Miles as Mrs. Florian

            Jack O'Halloran as Moose Malloy

            Anthony Zerbe as Brunette

            Harry Dean Stanton as Billy Rolfe

            Jim Thompson as Mr. Grayle

            John O'Leary as Marriott

            Kate Murtagh as Amthor

            Walter McGinn as Tommy Ray

            Jimmy Archer as Georgie

            Joe Spinell as Nick

            Sylvester Stallone as Kelly/Jonnie

            Burton Gilliam as Cowboy

            Mark Allen as Detective

            Jack Bernardi as Louis Levine

            Wally K. Berns as Father

            Harry Caesar as Bartender

            Jerry Fujikawa as Fence

            Eddra Gale as Singer

            Ted Gehring as Roy

            Stu Gilliam as 1st Man

            Richard Kennedy as 1st Detective

            Lola Mason as Mother

            Noelle North as Girl

            Bennett Ohta as Patron in Pool Hall

            Logan Ramsey as Commissioner

            Joan Shawlee as Woman in Ballroom

            Cheryl Smith as Doris

            Dino Washington as Bouncer

            Napoleon Whiting as Hotel Clerk

            Andrew Harris as Mulatto Child

            John O'Neill
            
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