The Long Goodbye (1973)

Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye (1973) is a neo-noir classic that reimagines Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe in a 1970s Los Angeles setting. With its laid-back but biting commentary on morality, loyalty, and corruption, the film both honors and subverts the traditional detective genre.

Detailed Summary

The Cat and the Midnight Visit

The movie opens with private detective Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould) trying to feed his cat. This seemingly trivial moment establishes Marlowe’s character—he’s persistent, loyal, and unwilling to betray trust, even when it’s “just a cat.” His quirky but steadfast principles will echo throughout the film.

Terry Lennox’s Request

Late at night, Marlowe’s friend Terry Lennox (Jim Bouton) shows up, asking for a ride to Mexico. Marlowe doesn’t ask questions; his loyalty compels him to help. Shortly afterward, Marlowe is arrested—Terry’s wife has been found murdered, and Marlowe is suspected of aiding him. After three days in jail, Marlowe is released when Terry supposedly confesses suicide in Mexico.

The Missing Husband Case

Almost immediately, Marlowe is hired by Eileen Wade (Nina Van Pallandt) to find her missing husband, Roger Wade (Sterling Hayden), a famous but alcoholic novelist. The case seems unrelated to Terry Lennox, but as Marlowe digs deeper, the two mysteries begin to intertwine.

Gangsters and Intimidation

Marlowe’s search draws attention from a violent gangster, Marty Augustine (Mark Rydell), who claims Terry owed him money. In one of the film’s most shocking moments, Augustine smashes a Coke bottle across his girlfriend’s face—just to show Marlowe what he’s capable of. This brutal display reminds the audience that the stakes are real, even if Marlowe appears unfazed on the surface.

The Truth About the Wades

Roger Wade’s self-destructive alcoholism leads to his eventual death—apparently a suicide by drowning. But Marlowe begins to suspect foul play, linking Eileen to her husband’s demise. The pieces of the puzzle suggest that Terry Lennox’s story wasn’t what it seemed either.

Movie Ending

The final act is where Altman breaks away from Chandler’s detective tradition. Marlowe travels to Mexico to confront the truth. He discovers that Terry Lennox is still alive and had faked his death with Eileen’s help. Terry admits he killed his wife and used Marlowe’s loyalty to escape.

This revelation flips the entire film’s foundation: Marlowe’s unwavering loyalty, which defined his actions from the beginning, has been betrayed. Unlike the classic hardboiled detective who shrugs and moves on, Marlowe reacts with uncharacteristic finality. He pulls out a gun and shoots Terry dead on the spot.

The ending is shocking because it subverts both audience expectations and Chandler’s traditional portrayal of Marlowe. In Altman’s world, cynicism triumphs, and loyalty has limits when trust is violated. Marlowe walks away, whistling “Hooray for Hollywood,” both mocking and embracing the artificiality of his world.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. The film ends with Marlowe’s decisive action and the ironic whistling of “Hooray for Hollywood.” There are no mid- or post-credit scenes.

Type of Movie

The Long Goodbye is a neo-noir crime drama with elements of satire. It updates Chandler’s classic detective story for 1970s Los Angeles, blending a laid-back, almost comedic tone with bursts of shocking violence and moral ambiguity.

Cast

• Elliott Gould as Philip Marlowe
• Nina Van Pallandt as Eileen Wade
• Sterling Hayden as Roger Wade
• Jim Bouton as Terry Lennox
• Mark Rydell as Marty Augustine
• Henry Gibson as Dr. Verringer
• David Arkin as Harry
• Arnold Schwarzenegger (uncredited cameo as one of Augustine’s henchmen)

Film Music and Composer

The score, composed by John Williams, is playful and unconventional. The theme song, “The Long Goodbye,” written by Williams with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, appears throughout the film in countless variations—jazz, lounge, Mexican funeral band, Muzak, and even on a doorbell. This running gag reinforces the film’s satirical edge and keeps reminding us that everything is filtered through performance and artifice.

Filming Locations

• Los Angeles, California: Most of the film was shot on location, grounding the story in the sun-drenched, morally murky LA of the 1970s.
• Malibu Colony: The Wades’ beachfront home scenes were filmed here, reflecting both luxury and decay.
• Hollywood Hills and Downtown LA: These settings underline the collision of glamorous surfaces with corruption underneath.

The locations are crucial—they contrast Chandler’s foggy, shadowy noir Los Angeles with Altman’s bright, open, but equally corrupt 1970s LA.

Awards and Nominations

While the film did not win major awards on release, it has since gained recognition as one of Altman’s masterpieces. It is now considered a defining work of neo-noir cinema, influencing later films like Inherent Vice (2014).

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Elliott Gould improvised much of his dialogue, giving Marlowe a stream-of-consciousness, mumbling quality.
• Altman wanted Marlowe to be “Rip Van Winkle”—a man from the 1950s waking up in the 1970s.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger appears in one of his earliest film roles, as a silent gangster in a suit.
• Sterling Hayden’s larger-than-life performance was influenced by his own struggles with alcoholism.
• The ending was controversial—Altman insisted on Marlowe killing Terry, despite studio concerns it betrayed Chandler’s spirit.

Inspirations and References

The movie is based on Raymond Chandler’s 1953 novel “The Long Goodbye.” Altman and screenwriter Leigh Brackett (who also co-wrote The Big Sleep screenplay in 1946) shifted the tone from Chandler’s moral melancholy to Altman’s ironic cynicism.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

The novel ends differently—Marlowe simply walks away from Terry, refusing to betray his friend even after the truth. Altman deliberately rejected this ending, believing audiences in the 1970s needed a harsher resolution. There are no widely known deleted scenes, but improvisation meant many alternative takes existed.

Book Adaptations and Differences

• Novel: More somber, meditative, emphasizing Marlowe’s isolation and loyalty.
• Film: More ironic, satirical, with an emphasis on the absurdities of LA culture.
• Key Difference: In the book, Terry escapes. In the film, Marlowe kills him.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The opening cat-feeding sequence.
• Marty Augustine smashing a Coke bottle on his girlfriend’s face.
• Roger Wade’s drunken meltdown by the ocean.
• Marlowe shooting Terry at the end.

Iconic Quotes

• “It’s okay with me.” (Marlowe’s refrain, embodying his passive but knowing stance)
• “That’s someone else’s problem, not mine.”
• “You’re a born loser, Marlowe.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Arnold Schwarzenegger’s uncredited cameo often surprises viewers.
• The constant reuse of “The Long Goodbye” theme in different styles is itself an inside joke.
• Altman included cameos of LA personalities to ground the movie in its era.

Trivia

• The film was a commercial flop on release but is now considered a masterpiece.
• Elliott Gould’s Marlowe was seen as too unorthodox by Chandler purists.
• Altman described the movie as “a satire on Hollywood and America, not just Chandler.”
• Leigh Brackett, who adapted the novel, also co-wrote The Empire Strikes Back later.

Why Watch?

Because it’s one of the most unique noir adaptations ever made—irreverent, unsettling, and slyly funny. If you want to see how Chandler’s world translates into the cynical 1970s, this film is essential. It’s not a typical detective movie; it’s a meditation on betrayal, loyalty, and how times change.

Director’s Other Movies

• M*A*S*H (1970)
• McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)
• Nashville (1975)
• 3 Women (1977)
• Short Cuts (1993)
• Gosford Park (2001)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Chinatown (1974)
• The Big Sleep (1946)
• Inherent Vice (2014)
• Night Moves (1975)
• The Big Lebowski (1998)