MovieChat Forums > Lady in the Lake (1947) Discussion > Adrienne Fromsett

Adrienne Fromsett

posted 9 years ago by bcstoneb444
3 replies | jump to latest

Interesting the film’s rather regressive social message. I just don’t buy that Adrienne Fromsett, a well-off, smart, sophisticated woman-of-the-world edging toward the peak of her career, would even consider the domestic route with a guy like Marlowe. Such a woman would have her pick among men, and given her upper crust tastes as witnessed by her clothes and (Beverly Hills?) apartment, Marlowe would seem an unlikely choice, especially in Montgomery’s interpretation: cranky, shrill, middle-aged, not very romantic, and definitely not well off. By the way Audrey Totter looked great, especially when she was wearing those flowing robes/nightgowns.

[–] plwblj 9 years ago

Valid observation;

literary license in effect here.

[–] MisterWhiplash 9 years ago

The book has her WAY different. She's just Kingsley's secretary, and provides some good background information for Marlowe, but there's no romance there. Kind of like what happened with The Big Sleep too, only there at least there was SOME moment of romance between Marlowe and Sternwood (though of course that got upped to, but that makes sense as it's Bogie and Bacall).

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[–] cujo3017-370-726670 9 years ago

Audrey Totter looked great in this movie but I think she overplayed the character.
Fromsett in the book was tall, dark haired, cool, dignified, and aloof. He uses the 'elegant 'more than once to describe her. That's hardly how Totter played her. Also,she and Marlowe don't have a relationship in the book and Kingsley was very much in love with her.
The Lavery character who was short and wore that silly striped shirt and the broad southern accent seemed nothing like the tall dark and handsome creature described in the novel.
Also Marlowe comes off as kind of an a**hole in the movie. He's bitter and churlish from the get go. He's more interesting more complicated and more likable in the book.
Maybe I would have liked the movie better if I hadn't read the book.