Laura is a classic 1944 film noir directed by Otto Preminger. Beautiful New York socialite Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney) is murdered in her apartment by a point blank shotgun blast to the head. Called in to investigate is a hard-nosed cop, Lt. Mark Macpherson (Dana Andrews), who finds plenty of suspects, not the least of which is famous newspaper gossip columnist Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb). Lydecker discovered Laura working for an ad agency, transformed her looks and introduced her into high society. Laura had an engagement with Lydecker on the night of her murder but cancelled at the last minute; at least that is what Lydecker tell MacPherson. Other suspects include Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price), Laura's fiancee, and Laura's aunt, Ann Treadwell (Judith Anderson), who hated Laura for stealing Shelby away from her. As Lt. Macpherson contemplates all these suspects below a large portrait of Laura above her fireplace, he begins to fall in love with the dead woman. This film is based on a 1943 novel by Vera Caspary.moreless