by the Hays Office. Initially, Wilder enlisted Cain to help write the film script. His dialogue, which was pitched to his literary forms, did not translate well to film. Wilder hired Raymond Chandler, author of The Big Sleep, and he and Wilder completed the screenplay. The scenario and story remained “as close as possible to the original story” but gave centrality to the relationship between Neff and Keyes Literary critic Paul Skenazy observes that “Wilder and Chandler shift the focus from the lovers’ passion to the cost of that passion, and from Neff’s relationship with Phylis to the conflict of loyalties brought on by Phylis.” The script was approved by Joseph Breen. Cain was deeply gratified at the critical and commercial success of Double Indemnity, as well as the lead performances. Cain wrote to actor Barbara Stanwyck who plays Phyllis Nirdlinger [Phyllis Dietrichson in the film version] To actor Fred MacMurray who plays Walter Huff [Walter Neff in the film version] Cain wrote: 1973 Film Adaptation The film was remade in 1973 as a television film starring Richard Crenna. This credits for this version state that it is based on the original novel by James M. Cain as well as the screenplay for the 1944 film by Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler. 2011 Stage Adaptation A stage adaptation by David Pichette and R. Hamilton Wright, directed by Kurt Beattie, opened at ACT Theatre in Seattle on October 27, 2011. The same production moved to the San Jose Repertory Theatre and opened on January 18, 2012. References 1943 American novels Novels by James M. Cain American crime novels Works originally published in Liberty (general interest magazine) Novels first published in serial form American novels adapted into films