QIs there an alternate ending?
AThe original ending to the movie continued after the present ending through Walter's trial and execution. However, the director eventually decided that the additional material was redundant and depressing, so he cut it for the theatrical release. All the film of the additional scenes has been lost or destroyed, leaving only some still photos, once of which can be seen here.
QWhat is 'Double Indemnity' about?
ALate one night, insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) stumbles into his office of the Pacific All Risk Insurance Company in order to dictate a memo to claims manager, Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson), telling him how he and Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck), the wife of one of his clients, murdered her husband just days after they tricked him into purchasing a $50,000 accident policy with a double indemnity clause.
AAs morning approaches, Walter winds up his dictation, asking Keyes to break the news gently to Lola (Jean Heather) and to take care of her and Zachetti (Byron Barr). He turns his head to see Keyes listening in the doorway, having been alerted by the janitor that Walter was bleeding. Expecting a lecture with a lot of 'two dollar words', Walter is surprised when Keyes simply says, 'Walter, you're all washed up.' Keyes picks up the phone to call for a doctor, but Walter stops him, saying that he doesn't want to go through the process of healing only so that he can walk into the gas chamber at San Quentin under his own power. Instead, Walter decides to make a run for the Mexican border. He stumbles out into the main office but only makes it to the doorway before collapsing on the floor. Keyes phones for an ambulance then tends to Walter. Breathing heavily, Walter tells Keyes that the reason he couldn't figure this insurance fraud out was because he was too close...right across the desk. 'Closer than that, Walter,' Keyes admits. 'I love you, too,' Walter replies and reaches into his pocket for a cigarette. Keyes strikes a match to light it for him. Together, they wait for the ambulance.
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