Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) – Nostalgia Central

Out of work, behind on his mortgage, and in need of some quick cash, airline mechanic and World War II veteran Easy Rawlins (Denzel Washington) accepts a job from the dubious Dewitt Albright (Tom Sizemore) to track down elusive socialite Daphne Monet (Jennifer Beals) and becomes a reluctant private eye.

Easy sets off on his task with the unpredictable, often unpredictably violent, help of his trigger-happy old pal Mouse (Don Cheadle), and before you can say “film noir”, he is in over his head in a cesspool of murder, bigotry, blackmail and corrupt politicians.

South Central Los Angeles circa 1948 – with its swaying palms, smoky speakeasies, and smart-talking denizens – is convincingly recreated, along with the dark, tough tones of Walter Mosley’s book. The gritty plot is put on a slow boil in a very stylish and intelligent thriller.

The soundtrack includes classics by Duke Ellington and T-Bone Walker.

Easy Rawlins
Denzel Washington
Dewitt Albright
Tom Sizemore
Daphne Monet
Jennifer Beals
Mouse Alexander
Don Cheadle
Matthew Terell
Maury Chaykin
Todd Carter
Terry Kinney
Joppy
Mel Winkler
Odell
Albert Hall
Coretta James
Lisa Nicole Carson
Dupree Brouchard
Jernard Burks
Junior Fornay
David Fonteno
Mason
John Roselius
Miller
Beau Starr
Benny Giacomo
Steven Randazzo
Richard McGee
Scott Lincoln
Hattie Parsons
L. Scott Caldwell
Woodcutter
Barry Shabaka Henley
Shariff
Nick Corello
Manny
Kenny Endoso
Frank Green
Joseph Latimore
Barbara
Renée Humphrey
Herman
Robert J. Knoll
Football
Kai Lennox
Barbara’s Sister
Poppy Montgomery
Terell’s Chauffeur
Brendan Kelly
Carter’s Secretary
Peggy Rea
Baxter
Vinny Argiro
Sophie
Deborah Lacey
Alphonso Jenkins
Jeris Poindexter
Butcher
Frank Davis
Nightclub Owner
G. Smokey Campbell
Johnny
Alan Craig Schwartz
Abe
Steve Sekely
Pool Hall Owner
J.D. Smith

Dircetor
Carl Franklin