The Blue Dahlia
Theatrical Poster
The Blue Dahlia 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.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Smith & Wesson Model Military & Police with 4" barrel - .38 Special Error creating thumbnail: File missing The police officer draws his Smith & Wesson in the motel hallway. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another view of same scene. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A closer view of the officer's revolver. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Corelli (Howard Freeman) tries to use his revolver in confrontation with Johnny Morrison but Johnny gets the upper hand. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The grip with lanyard ring is seen. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Johnny with Corelli's revolver. Error creating thumbnail: File missing "Dad" draws his Smith & Wesson revolver. Error creating thumbnail: File missing "Dad" accidentally fires his Smith & Wesson when someone opens the door behind him. Error creating thumbnail: File missing "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.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Detective Special 1st Gen (with Round Butt) - .38 Special Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Colt DS can be seen in hand of Eddie Harwood who is knocked dead by accidental gunshot of Leo's pistol. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing 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."
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Original Colt M1911 (dated 1913) - .45 ACP Error creating thumbnail: File missing Johnny takes an M1911 from his bag. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Note the monogramm "JM" on the pistol grip. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Johnny approaches his wife with his M1911 in hand. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another view of same scene. Error creating thumbnail: File missing 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. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another view of the falling pistol. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Johnny's M1911 on the floor of his wife's bungalow. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Johnny holds the pistol on a promotional image. Error creating thumbnail: File missing 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 ).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless - .32 ACP Error creating thumbnail: File missing Leo draws his Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless. Error creating thumbnail: File missing leo and Johnny in grapple for the gun. An accidental gunshot knocks Eddie Harwood dead. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Johnny disarms Leo of his Colt pistol. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Johnny throws the pistol to Buzz. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Buzz aims the pistol. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Johnny hands the pistol to Capt. Hendrickson (this is a promotional image where the pistol is seen better that in the movie itself). Error creating thumbnail: File missing 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 This Gun for Hire Error creating thumbnail: File missing The pistol is seen on the floor on a promotional image. Note that this is a different prop, with white grips. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Johnny Morrison with a Colt Model 1903 and Joyce Harwood on a promotional image. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Same scene on a color lobby card. 
