The Blue Dahlia

A demobilized Navy aviator who returns to Hollywood and becomes entangled in a murder investigation. Impulsive and quick to defend loved ones, he navigates a web of secrets surrounding Helen and Eddie. His search for truth clashes with his urge to protect family and clear his own name.

Johnny's wife whose affair with Eddie becomes a pivotal plot point. Her drunken confession shatters assumptions and reveals the extent of domestic distress. She embodies a chaotic mix of vulnerability and self-preservation that fuels the conflict.

Owner of the Blue Dahlia nightclub and a man with questionable loyalties. His relationship with Helen and his criminal connections pull Johnny into a dangerous confrontation. He embodies charme that masks darker ambitions and a willingness to manipulate others.

A mysterious woman who becomes involved with Johnny and represents a potential ally or wildcard. Her estrangement from Eddie and her own agenda add tension and a potential motive layer. She shares a growing emotional bond with Johnny amid a landscape of danger.

George Copeland's roommate and a fellow war veteran, haunted by shell shock with a piercing musical trigger that induces memory flashes. His condition and perceived role in Helen's death become central to the police inquiry. He personifies the war-induced trauma at the heart of the noir mystery.

The hotel detective who witnesses Johnny and Helen's confrontation, later entangled in the investigation. His actions and suspicions propel the plot toward a dramatic confrontation with authority. His fate marks a turning point in the detective narrative.

A gangster who becomes involved through Corelli's information network, kidnapping Johnny and escalating the chase. He embodies the criminal underworld that the protagonists must outwit. His confrontation with Johnny drives the climax of the film.

The police captain who confronts Newell and navigates the mounting accusations surrounding the murder. His authority and procedural approach anchor the investigation's final turn. He ultimately enforces justice amid the noir chaos.