Plot of motion picture The Big Sleep (1946)
by Jeffrey Sward
 
A classic film noir, The Big Sleep (1946) has a notoriously complex plot. The plot however, is not incomprehensible, as described below. For example, the killer of the chauffeur is clearly explained in the film.
 
Character Name Actor Action Object of Action Actor for object of action
Agnes Lozelle Sonia Darrin Accepts $200 form and supplies location of Mona Mars Philip Marlowe Humphrey Bogart
Agnes Lozelle Sonia Darrin Associated with fake bookstore n/a
Agnes Lozelle Sonia Darrin Blackmails Vivian Rutledge using photo of Carmen Sternwood in front of Geiger's body taken at Geiger's house by hidden camera. Price $5000 for negative and prints Vivian Rutledge Lauren Bacall
Arthur Gwyn Geiger Theodore von Eltz Loans money to Carmen Sherwood Martha Vickers
Arthur Gwyn Geiger Theodore von Eltz Rents fake bookstore n/a
Arthur Gwyn Geiger Theodore von Eltz Sends IOUs signed by Carmen totaling $5000 for payment General Sternwood Charles Waldron
Carmen Sherwood Martha Vickers Daughter of General Sternwood Charles Waldron
Carmen Sherwood Martha Vickers Kills - motive - - jealous of Sean Regan and Mona Mars as lovers Sean Regan None - never shown
Carmen Sherwood Martha Vickers Loves unrequited Sean Regan None - never shown
Carmen Sherwood Martha Vickers Signs IOUs for money borrowed form Arthur Gwyn Geiger Theodore von Eltz
Carol Lundgren Tommy Rafferty Associated with fake bookstore n/a
Carol Lundgren Tommy Rafferty Kills - motive - - revenge for killing of Geiger, believing that Joe Brody killed Geiger (incorrect) rather than Owen Taylor killing Geiger (correct) . Joe Brody Louis Jean Heydt
Carol Lundgren Tommy Rafferty Partner and shadow of Arthur Gwyn Geiger Theodore von Eltz
Eddie Mars (chief thug) John Ridgely Gambling scheme with and loans money to (for photo blackmail payment) Vivian Rutledge Lauren Bacall
Eddie Mars (chief thug) John Ridgely Hides - motive - - became aware of Mona Mars - Sean Regan affair - Mona Mars Peggy Knudsen
Eddie Mars (chief thug) John Ridgely Hides dead body - motive - became aware of Mona Mras - Sean Regan affair - Sean Regan None - never shown
Eddie Mars (chief thug) John Ridgely Married to Mona Mars Peggy Knudsen
Eddie Mars (chief thug) John Ridgely Owns house used by Arthur Gwyn Geiger Theodore von Eltz
General Sternwood Charles Waldron Hires to avoid paying $5000 in IOUs from Gieger signed by Carmen Sherwood Philip Marlowe Humphrey Bogart
Harry Jones Elisa Cook Jr. Loves (unrequited) Agnes Lozelle Sonia Darrin
Harry Jones Elisa Cook Jr. Offers information for $200 Philip Marlowe Humphrey Bogart
Harry Jones Elisa Cook Jr. Tails Philip Marlowe Humphrey Bogart
Joe Brody Louis Jean Heydt Associated with fake bookstore n/a
Joe Brody Louis Jean Heydt Blackmails Vivian Rutledge using photo of Carmen Sternwood in front of Geiger's body taken at Geiger's house by hidden camera. Price $5000 for negative and prints Vivian Rutledge Lauren Bacall
Joe Brody Louis Jean Heydt Kills - motive - to obtain photo in Owen Taylor's possession in order to use photo for blackmail Owen Taylor (chauffeur) None - never shown
Lash Canino (thug) Bob Steele Guards Mona Mars in hiding in house behind garage Mona Mars Peggy Knudsen
Lash Canino (thug) Bob Steele Kills - motive - keep Jones quiet Harry Jones Elisa Cook Jr.
Lash Canino (thug) Bob Steele Works for Eddie Mars (chief thug) John Ridgely
Mona Mars Peggy Knudsen Lovers with (mutual) Sean Regan None - never shown
Mona Mars Peggy Knudsen Married to Eddie Mars (chief thug) John Ridgely
Owen Taylor (chauffeur) None - never shown Chauffeur for Vivian Rutledge Lauren Bacall
Owen Taylor (chauffeur) None - never shown Kills (at Geiger's house). - motive - jealous of Carmen Sherwood being lover of Geiger (incorrect). Carmen frequently obtained money from Geiger (correct). Carmen was at Geiger's during shooting hence present for automatic photo taken of Carmen with body. Taylor Grabs photo. Arthur Gwyn Geiger Theodore von Eltz
Owen Taylor (chauffeur) None - never shown Loves unrequited Carmen Sherwood Martha Vickers
Philip Marlowe Humphrey Bogart Chases, captures, and turns over to police after Carol Lundgren kills Joe Brody Carol Lundgren Tommy Rafferty
Philip Marlowe Humphrey Bogart Kills - motive - self-defense shoot out Lash Canino (thug) Bob Steele
Sean Regan None - never shown Before movie starts had assisted General Sherwood by paying $5000 blackmail money to cover some indiscretion of Carmen Sherwood Joe Brody Louis Jean Heydt
Sean Regan None - never shown Employed by General Sternwood Charles Waldron
Sean Regan None - never shown Lovers with (mutual) Mona Mars Peggy Knudsen
Vivian Rutledge Lauren Bacall Daughter of General Sternwood Charles Waldron
Vivian Rutledge Lauren Bacall Owes gambling debts to Eddie Mars (chief thug) John Ridgely
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