Detective Marlow sets out to find the missing wife of a publishing magnate. Several smack-arounds, one dead gigolo, a few angry cops, a booze-soaked frame-up and one dame in the lake later, Marlowe finds the killer and finds he's looking at the business end of a gun. -- container.

Bluebeard: In Paris, a painter strangles each of his models when their portraits are finished. "Chamber of horrors: On his death, a wealthy industrialist leaves a treasure in his tomb that can be reached through seven doors, each with its own key. The evil Dr. Manetta possesses six of the keys, and the rightful heir has the last." --

They were expendable: Two PT-boat skippers defend the Philippines and give the U.S. war effort time to regroup after the crippling losses at Pearl Harbor. Flying Leathernecks: An embattled Marine fighter squadron VMF 247 at Guadalcanal is led by John Wayne and campaigning to coordinate ground combat with low-flying aerial sorties.

Five classic films that offer a rare glimpse at a lost era of provocative filmmaking.