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Shouldn't Keyes have suspected Walter instantly?

posted 10 years ago by sanddragon939
10 replies | jump to latest

Something which just occurred to me when I watched this again.

Keyes' suspicions about Dietrichson's death being murder were first aroused when he realized that Dietrichson should have claimed insurance for breaking his leg. The fact that he didn't suggested that he was unaware that he had 'accident insurance', and was what tipped Keyes off that Phyllis may have been involved in murdering her husband, having secretly taken out a policy on him.

In which case, why did he not suspect Walter instantly? After all, wasn't Walter the one who apparently got Dietrichson to sign off on the policy? If Dietrichson did not know he had a policy, then isn't it an obvious conclusion that Walter was lying and was somehow involved in the scheme?

[–] Doghouse-6 10 years ago

Keyes did suspect Walter, at least for a time.

Recall that there's a scene wherein Walter goes into Keyes' office and listens to a Dictaphone recording - from Keyes to Norton - in which Keyes states that he had Walter under surveillance and had been able to establish no link between he and Phyllis. He also states that such a link had been established between Phyllis and Nino, so his suspicions have been diverted from Walter.

His investigation had also established - to his satisfaction, anyway - that Walter was "definitely placed in his apartment" at the time of the death. So this all goes to portray not only Keyes' suspicions, but the thoroughness of his investigative procedures, regardless of his friendship with Walter.

Remember also that the story is being told by Walter, so we viewers know only what he knows. And all he knows about Keyes' investigation of him is what he hears on the Dictaphone after sneaking into his office.

Poe! You are...avenged!

[–] sanddragon939 10 years ago

Actually, Norton was the one who suspected Walter, and Keyes was the one who expressed his belief that Walter was above suspicion and therefore did not need to be put under surveillance. He clearly had conducted some preliminary investigations on Walter, but seemed to have ruled him out as a suspect almost immediately.

My point is that once Keyes believed that Dietrichson did not KNOW about the accidental insurance policy, wouldn't the obvious conclusion be that Walter lied about Dietrichson signing the policy? Without Walter's complicity, how could Phyllis possibly have got the insurance through without her husband's knowledge?

[–] Doghouse-6 10 years ago

Yeah, you're right, sn; I just rechecked the dialogue from the Dictaphone scene. But Keyes, on that same recording, goes on to say, "I have known Neff intimately for eleven years, and I personally vouch for him, without reservation..."

From that, and from his investigation of Walter's movements the night of the crime and having established no connection between Walter and Phyllis, I think it's safe to assume he's discarded the notion that came to him while talking to Walter in his apartment:

"Maybe he just didn't know he was insured. No, that couldn't be it. You delivered the policy to him personally, didn't you, Walter? And you got his check."

So when we add up Keyes' personal trust of Walter, his investigation of his movements, the lack of a connection to Phyllis (as far as he knows) and the "someone else" he'd been looking for turning up in the person of Nino, the only conclusion remaining seems to be that Keyes has simply abandoned the idea that Dietrichson may not have known about the policy.

Poe! You are...avenged!

[–] GooniorJr 9 years ago

Why didn't he just walk away when he found out he wasn't implicated? Would his conscience have bothered him? I dont think the Hayes office would have allowed it anyways, but he probably could have. I've watched the movie countless times since I bought the VHS 20 yrs ago, but have never read the book...

[–] Doghouse-6 9 years ago

It's true, the Production Code wouldn't have allowed any such thing, but Walter can't just walk away as long as Phyllis is around; she's too much of a loose end.

He understands that Keyes was exactly right when he said, "It's not like taking a trolley ride together where they can get off at different stops. They're stuck with each other and they've got to ride all the way to the end of the line." And even if Walter had thought he could simply walk away, Phyllis makes it clear to him that she won't allow him to hang her out to dry: "We went into this together, we're coming out at the end together. It's straight down the line for both of us, remember?"

In the book, Phyllis is a much more deeply disturbed person, and the surprising resolution - which was something else the Production Code would never allow - is a far murkier and more morally ambiguous one than the film presents.

Poe! You are...avenged!

[–] GiaJake 9 years ago

Hi Doghouse - I hope you don't mind that I put you on my friends list, as I love reading your posts. Now you have piqued my curiosity. Would it be rude for me to ask how the book ends? Having seen and loved the movie so many times, I can't imagine a different resolution.

[–] Doghouse-6 9 years ago

Mind? I'm flattered and grateful.

Nor is it rude to ask about the book, and I don't mind telling except that I'd hate to discourage you or anyone from reading it or blunting the impact for those who might care to. It's a novella, really; barely over 100 pages and a brisk read that, when considering the differences from the screenplay, can only increase one's respect for the creativity with which Wilder and Chandler both streamlined the basic story elements and brought new dimensions to principal characters and their relationships, all while remaining within Code requirements.

That concludes my "sales pitch," but if you wish me to proceed, and in the interest of avoiding a "spoiler" block that would make the post resemble a document that's been redacted by the NSA, would you be agreeable to my putting it in a PM? If for any reason you'd prefer not, let me know and I'll go ahead and post it here.

And thanks again for your kind words.

Poe! You are...avenged!

[–] GiaJake 9 years ago

Of course I would be agreeable to a PM, if it's not too much trouble for you. I have gone from a person who sometimes read up to five novels in a week after retirement, to someone who hasn't done close to that in ages. Thanks very much, and there is no rush.

[–] Doghouse-6 9 years ago

Will do. Not much goin' on this morning, so I'll jump on it while it's on my mind.

Poe! You are...avenged!

[–] mamanbrigitte 8 years ago

You should submit that for the plot hole section. It doesn't seem possible for Keyes to believe that

- Neff's claim that he made the sell to Dietriechson
- Dietrichson was not aware of the policy
- Neff is not involved somehow.