12 seconds) and Phyllis’ are quite short (i.e. The editing in this scene is rather simple, with straight cuts being the only method used. As soon as the gunshots are heard, the background music stops suddenly, exaggerating what has just taken place. The background music is almost contrapuntal, as it is quite a romantic and calm piece of music, not a stereotypical piece that is used to build suspense, and this does not match the murder about to take place. The gunshots (foregrounded sound) have been loudened to create more of a contrast, as the audience does not know that Walter has a gun, so when he does shoot Phyllis, it is more of a shock.
At the beginning of the scene, Walter asks Phyllis if he can go and shut the window, as he doesn’t like the music that is coming from inside (which would also be because he doesn’t want the gunshots to be heard by anyone). The sound in this scene consists of background music (both diegetic and non-diegetic), dialogue between Walter and Phyllis and two gunshots. This allows the audience to see the character’s posture, which in this shot gives ideas of his strength and power over Phyllis, who he is about to murder. The camera’s medium shot is used to show more than simply Walter’s face, but the top half of his body also. Blinds are an iconic element to traditional Film Noir films, as they let in rows of light upon the characters, giving dark and mysterious connotations. The setting consists of a set of venetian blinds behind Walter, and some to left of him. One of these is Walter’s smart suit (costume) which connotes wealth and intelligence – two key aspects of the film.
There are only a few mise-en-scène elements in this particular shot. This increases tension upon the audience, as they can start to suspect that something negative is about to happen in the near future. The side lighting is used to add a chiaroscuro contrast to his face, connoting his moral instability.
This shot’s low-key lighting is used to give Walter’s (Fred MacMurray) character a dark and suspicious side. This murder scene from ‘Double Indemnity’ has many interesting and intelligent camera, sound, lighting, mise-en-scène and editing uses, all used to emphasise certain parts of the scene and create particular moods and feelings.
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