Raymond Chandler originally intended to call his most famous character Philip Mallory. His wife convinced him to change the last name to Marlowe.

Farewell, My Lovely was actually an amalgam of two Marlowe stories: "Try the Girl" and "Mandarin Jade." The novel's working title was The Second Murderer.

When Dick Powell asked future wife, June Allyson, what she thought of the script for Murder, My Sweet, she said it was terrific. When he asked her if she thought he was right for the leading role, she warned him that he'd be a laughing stock in it.

One actor that director Edward Dmytryk wanted for the film sent the script back with the note, "Opened by mistake." The director was so insulted by his arrogance, he never offered him another role.

The first day of shooting was so rushed the wardrobe department was sewing Claire Trevor into her dress as they were setting up her first scene. They even forgot to call in a makeup woman, so Trevor had to apply makeup to her legs herself.

Powell entertained his co-stars between scenes by doing imitations of himself during his days as a singing juvenile.

Leading lady Anne Shirley wed the film's producer, Adrian Scott, a month before Murder, My Sweet opened. Shortly thereafter she retired from the screen. Murder, My Sweet would be her last picture.

For the film's British release, RKO restored the original title, Farewell, My Lovely.

Tag lines for the film included "Haunted by a lovely face...hunted for another's crime!" "A night of murder the police won't let him forget! The only key to his fate...a woman's face he can't remember!" and the succinct "Two-fisted, Hardboiled, Terrific!"

Famous Quotes from MURDER, MY SWEET

"The name is Moose. On account of I'm large. Moose Malloy." -- Mike Mazurki, as Moose Malloy, introducing himself to Dick Powell, as Philip Marlowe.

"She was a charming middle-aged lady with a face like a bucket of mud. I gave her a drink. She was a gal who'd take a drink, if she had to knock you down to get the bottle." -- Powell, as Philip Marlowe, describing Esther Howard, as Mrs. Florian.

"I'm afraid I don't like your manner."
"Yeah, I've had complaints about it, but it keeps getting worse." -- Douglas Walton, as Lindsay Marriott, trading quips with Powell, as Marlowe.

"How would you like a swift punch on the nose?"
"I tremble at the thought of such violence." -- Walton, as Lindsay Marriott, trying to threaten Powell.

"I caught the blackjack right behind my ear. A black pool opened up at my feet. I dived in. It had no bottom. I felt pretty good -- like an amputated leg." -- Powell.

"He was doubled up on his face in that bag of old clothes position that always means the same thing. He had been killed by an amateur, or by somebody who wanted it to look like an amateur job. Nobody else would hit a man that many times with a sap." -- Powell, discovering Walton's body.

"You're not a detective, you're a slot machine. You'd slit your own throat for six bits plus tax!" -- Donald Douglas, as Lt. Randall.

"The cops always like to solve murders done with my gun." -- Powell.

"It was a nice little front yard, cozy, okay for the average family, only you'd need a compass to go to the mail box. The house was all right, too, but it wasn't as big as Buckingham Palace." -- Powell, describing the Grayles' mansion.

"He gave me a hundred bucks to take care of him, and I didn't. I'm just a small businessman in a very messy business, but I like to follow through on a sale." -- Powell.

"You've got a nice build for a detective."
"It gets me around." -- Claire Trevor, as Helen Grayle, flirting with Powell.

"My throat felt sore, but the fingers feeling it didn't feel anything. They were just a bunch of bananas that looked like fingers." -- Powell.

"'Okay Marlowe,' I said to myself. 'You're a tough guy. You've been sapped twice, choked, beaten silly with a gun, shot in the arm until you're crazy as a couple of waltzing mice. Now let's see you do something really tough - like putting your pants on.'" -- Powell.

"You shouldn't kiss a girl when you're wearing that gun... leaves a bruise!" -- Trevor, as Helen Grayle.

"She's hardly changed, only more fancy, cute as lace pants." -- Mazurki, as Moose Malloy, eulogizing Trevor, as Helen.

"Nulty... I haven't kissed anybody in a long time. Would it be all right if I kissed you, Nulty?" -- A blinded Powell, pretending he thinks Shirley, as Ann Grayle, is Paul Phillips, as Detective Nulty.

Compiled by Frank Miller