# Double Indemnity

> 1944 US film by Billy Wilder

**Wikidata**: [Q478209](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q478209)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Indemnity)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/double-indemnity

## Summary
Double Indemnity is a 1944 American crime film directed by Billy Wilder, widely recognized as a definitive example of the film noir genre. Produced by Paramount Pictures, this drama combines mystery and police procedural elements to tell a story of insurance fraud and murder. The film has been preserved in the United States National Film Registry, cementing its status as a culturally significant work of cinema history.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: The film was released on multiple dates in 1944, specifically January 1, July 6, and August 25, with a later release noted on June 6, 1950.
- **Director**: The film was directed by Billy Wilder, an Austrian-born American filmmaker and screenwriter who lived from 1906 to 2002.
- **Production Studio**: It was produced by Paramount Pictures, an American film studio founded on May 8, 1912, and headquartered in New York City.
- **Country of Origin**: The film originates from the United States, a country whose independence was declared on July 4, 1776, and recognized by the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
- **Genre Classifications**: It is categorized as a crime film, a drama film, and specifically as a film noir, a style often deployed in mystery and police procedural detective stories.
- **Preservation Status**: The film is part of the National Film Registry, a selection established in 1988 for films preserved in the United States Library of Congress.
- **Entity Distinction**: It is distinct from "Dumbbell Indemnity," which is an episode of the animated series *The Simpsons* (Season 9, Episode 16).
- **Digital Presence**: The entity holds a Wikipedia title of "Double Indemnity" and has a sitelink count of 46 across various language editions.

## FAQs
**Who created Double Indemnity and what is their background?**
The film was created by Billy Wilder, an Austrian-born American filmmaker and screenwriter active between 1906 and 2002. He held multiple occupations in the industry, including directing and screenwriting, and held citizenship in the United States, Austria, and Mexico.

**What genres does this film belong to and how are they defined?**
Double Indemnity is classified as a crime film, a drama film, and a film noir. The film noir style is specifically noted for its deployment in mystery and police procedural detective crime films, distinguishing it from standard dramas.

**Which organization produced the film and what is its history?**
Paramount Pictures produced the film; it is an American film studio and a subsidiary of Paramount Global. The studio was founded on May 8, 1912, and is headquartered in New York City, operating within the broader film industry.

**Is this film preserved by any government institution?**
Yes, the film is included in the National Film Registry, which is a selection of films chosen for preservation in the United States Library of Congress. This registry was established in 1988 to protect culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant films.

**How is this film different from similarly named media?**
It should not be confused with "Dumbbell Indemnity," which is an episode of the animated series *The Simpsons* (Season 9, Episode 16). While the titles are phonetically similar, one is a 1944 live-action film and the other is a television episode.

## Why It Matters
Double Indemnity matters because it serves as a cornerstone of the film noir genre, defining the visual and narrative style used in mystery and police procedural detective crime films. Its inclusion in the National Film Registry highlights its enduring cultural and historical value, ensuring its preservation for future generations within the United States Library of Congress. The film demonstrates the collaborative power of a major studio like Paramount Pictures and the visionary direction of Billy Wilder, whose work bridged European and American cinema traditions. By establishing a template for the crime film and drama genres, it influenced countless subsequent works and remains a critical reference point for understanding 1940s American cinema.

## Notable For
- Being a quintessential example of the film noir genre, which is characterized by its specific deployment in mystery and police procedural detective crime films.
- Receiving preservation status through the National Film Registry, recognizing its significance to the United States Library of Congress.
- Being directed by Billy Wilder, a multi-award-winning filmmaker with dual citizenship in the US and Austria who worked across various occupations in the film industry.
- Being produced by Paramount Pictures, a historic American film studio founded in 1912 that is a subsidiary of Paramount Global.
- Distinguishing itself from the *The Simpsons* episode "Dumbbell Indemnity" through its status as a serious 1944 dramatic film rather than animated comedy.
- Maintaining a robust digital footprint with 46 sitelinks on Wikipedia, indicating significant global interest and documentation.

## Body

### Production and Release History
Double Indemnity was released in the United States in 1944, with specific release dates recorded as January 1, July 6, and August 25 of that year. A subsequent release date is noted for June 6, 1950, indicating re-releases or international distribution windows. The film was produced by Paramount Pictures, a major American film studio that was founded on May 8, 1912. Paramount Pictures operates as a subsidiary of Paramount Global and maintains its headquarters in New York City. The production is firmly rooted in the United States, a nation whose independence was declared on July 4, 1776, and formally recognized by the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

### Director and Creative Leadership
The film was directed by Billy Wilder, a prominent figure in cinema history who lived from 1906 to 2002. Wilder was an Austrian-born American filmmaker and screenwriter who held citizenship in the United States, Austria, and Mexico. His professional portfolio included a wide range of occupations within the entertainment industry, reflecting his versatility as a creator. His direction of this specific film is a key element of its identity, linking the work to his broader body of acclaimed films.

### Genre and Classification
Double Indemnity is classified under several distinct genres, including crime film, drama film, and film noir. The film noir classification is particularly significant as it denotes a specific style usually deployed in mystery and police procedural detective crime films. This stylistic categorization helps define the film's tone, visual aesthetic, and narrative structure. As a crime film and drama, it fits within the broader context of American cinema from the mid-20th century, contributing to the evolution of these genres.

### Preservation and Cultural Status
The film has achieved a high level of cultural recognition through its inclusion in the National Film Registry. This registry is a selection of films designated for preservation in the United States Library of Congress. The National Film Registry itself was established in 1988, and its inclusion of Double Indemnity underscores the film's historical and aesthetic importance. This status ensures that the film remains accessible and preserved as part of the nation's cinematic heritage.

### Distinctions and Related Entities
It is crucial to distinguish Double Indemnity from other similarly named entities, such as "Dumbbell Indemnity." The latter is an episode of the animated television series *The Simpsons*, specifically Season 9, Episode 16. While the names are similar, the two entities are unrelated in terms of medium, content, and production. Double Indemnity remains a standalone 1944 film, whereas "Dumbbell Indemnity" is a piece of animated television comedy.

### Digital and Bibliographic Data
In the digital realm, the film is indexed under the Wikipedia title "Double Indemnity." It currently holds a sitelink count of 46, reflecting its presence across numerous language editions of Wikipedia. This level of documentation indicates a sustained interest in the film by scholars, fans, and the general public. The entity is also linked to broader categories such as the United States (sitelink count: 423), Paramount Pictures (sitelink count: 85), and Billy Wilder (sitelink count: 79), illustrating its interconnectedness within the larger knowledge graph of cinema history.

## References

1. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/podwojne-ubezpieczenie)
2. FilmAffinity
3. IMDb
4. [Source](http://subtitrari.regielive.ro/double-indemnity-6207/)
5. AlloCiné
6. [Source](http://www.cinemarx.ro/filme/Double-Indemnity-Asigurare-de-moarte-33858.html)
7. [Source](http://www.virtual-history.com/movie/film/2067/double-indemnity)
8. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
9. The Movie Database
10. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
11. Double Indemnity. Rotten Tomatoes
12. Lexicon of international films
13. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036775/releaseinfo)
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036775/technical/)
16. Kinopoisk
17. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/double-indemnity/)
18. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
19. film distribution certificate
20. Cineplex
21. Bechdel Test Movie List
22. mymovies.it
23. Danish Film Database
24. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/113519)
25. TheTVDB
26. Trakt.tv
27. FilmVandaag.nl