"The story of a love that became the most fearful thing that ever happened to a woman!"
Director: Otto Preminger
Cast: Dana Andrews, Gene Tierney, Clifton Webb, Vincent Price, Judith Anderson
Laura — Characters & Cast
Character Analysis
Laura Hunt
Gene Tierney
Motivation
Independence, a career of her own and genuine love rather than possession.
Character Arc
She starts as an absence, known only through a portrait and flashbacks. Later she speaks for herself and resists the men who want to own her.
Mark McPherson
Dana Andrews
Motivation
At first, solving the murder. Later, his growing love for Laura.
Character Arc
He begins as a cool, working-class cop and gradually becomes obsessed with the woman at the centre of his case, so the investigation turns into romantic fixation.
Waldo Lydecker
Clifton Webb
Motivation
To keep control of Laura, both as a person and as a story.
Character Arc
He presents himself as Laura's creator and her one true confidant. His witty, narcissistic front slowly reveals a possessive jealousy.
Shelby Carpenter
Vincent Price
Motivation
Comfort, money and self-preservation.
Character Arc
He is Laura's fiancé, a Southern charmer whose lies and weakness come out under investigation.
Ann Treadwell
Judith Anderson
Motivation
To keep Shelby for herself.
Character Arc
Laura's wealthy aunt, who is frank about her own attraction to Shelby and about the compromises she has made.
Cast
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