The Blue Dahlia

The Blue Dahlia Theatrical Poster Country United States Directed by George Marshall Release Date 1946 Language English Studio Paramount Pictures Distributor Paramount Pictures Main Cast Character Actor Johnny Morrison Alan Ladd Joyce Harwood Veronica Lake Buzz Wanchek William Bendix Eddie Harwood Howard Da Silva Helen Morrison Doris Dowling George Copeland Hugh Beaumont Captain Hendrickson Tom Powers "Dad" Newell Will Wright

The Blue Dahlia is a 1946 film noir starring Alan Ladd as Johnny Morrison, a US Navy officer returning home from World War II who, with the help of a sympathetic stranger, tries to clear himself after the murder of his unfaithful wife Helen (Doris Dowling). The Blue Dahlia was based on the first original screenplay written by noted crime novelist Raymond Chandler and also marked the third and final pairing of Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake.

The following weapons were used in the film The Blue Dahlia:

Revolvers

Smith & Wesson Military & Police

House detective "Dad" Newell (Will Wright) carries a Smith & Wesson Military & Police, as does the police officer (Tom Dillon; the character is credited as "Cop in Prowl Car") who confronts two thugs in Corelli's motel, and Corelli (Howard Freeman) himself.

Smith & Wesson Model Military & Police with 4" barrel - .38 Special

The police officer draws his Smith & Wesson in the motel hallway.

Another view of same scene.

A closer view of the officer's revolver.

Corelli (Howard Freeman) tries to use his revolver in confrontation with Johnny Morrison but Johnny gets the upper hand.

The grip with lanyard ring is seen.

Johnny with Corelli's revolver.

"Dad" draws his Smith & Wesson revolver.

"Dad" accidentally fires his Smith & Wesson when someone opens the door behind him.

"Dad" holds the revolver after the accidental gunshot.

Colt Detective Special

LAPD homicide captain Hendrickson (Tom Powers) carries a first generation Colt Detective Special. A Colt DS is also briefly seen in hands of the owner of The Blue Dahlia club Eddie Harwood (Howard Da Silva) during the confrontation with Johnny Morrison.

Colt Detective Special 1st Gen (with Round Butt) - .38 Special

A Colt DS can be seen in hand of Eddie Harwood who is knocked dead by accidental gunshot of Leo's pistol.

Captain Hendrickson checks his Detective Special after firing four shots in the finale.

Pistols

Colt M1911

Johnny Morrison (Alan Ladd) owns a Colt M1911 pistol, ostensibly the service pistol that he carried as a U.S. Navy officer. He leaves it on a chair in his wife's bungalow. Eddie Harwood later refers to the pistol as "a .45."

Original Colt M1911 (dated 1913) - .45 ACP

Johnny takes an M1911 from his bag.

Note the monogramm "JM" on the pistol grip.

Johnny approaches his wife with his M1911 in hand.

Another view of same scene.

As Johnny's pistol bounces on the seat cushion, the flat mainspring housing and longer trigger indicate that he carries an original M1911 and not a newer M1911A1.

Another view of the falling pistol.

Johnny's M1911 on the floor of his wife's bungalow.

Johnny holds the pistol on a promotional image.

Same scene on a color lobby card.

Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless

Leo (Don Costello) draws a Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless, which is taken by Johnny (Alan Ladd). Johnny later tosses it to Buzz Wanchek (William Bendix), who uses it for a brief match-lighting stunt, and it is also briefly handled by Captain Hendrickson (Tom Powers).

Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless - .32 ACP

Leo draws his Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless.

leo and Johnny in grapple for the gun. An accidental gunshot knocks Eddie Harwood dead.

Johnny disarms Leo of his Colt pistol.

Johnny throws the pistol to Buzz.

Buzz aims the pistol.

Johnny hands the pistol to Capt. Hendrickson (this is a promotional image where the pistol is seen better that in the movie itself).

Johnny Morrison (Alan Ladd) with a Colt Model 1903 and Joyce Harwood (Veronica Lake) on a promotional image. Veronica Lake and Alan Ladd appeared together in several film noirs, including The Glass Key (1942) and This Gun for Hire (1942).

The pistol is seen on the floor on a promotional image. Note that this is a different prop, with white grips.

Johnny Morrison with a Colt Model 1903 and Joyce Harwood on a promotional image.

Same scene on a color lobby card.