These pictures are from the 1947 Twentieth Century Fox film "The Brasher Doubloon" which was based on Raymond Chandler's 1942 novel "The High Window". The film starred George Montgomery as detective Philip Marlowe and Nancy Guild as Merle Davis. The coin counterfeiting sub-plot of the novel was not used in this film. Brasher Doubloons are extremely rare gold coins produced around 1787 by New York goldsmith Ephraim Brasher who wanted to get a contract to operate a mint for the new US government. Authentic Brasher Doubloon's were worth around $10,000 to collectors in 1942, according to the novel, and are worth at least $2,000,000 now, one recently sold for $7,000,000. The coin used as a background in the film titles and as a prop is probably a replica; supposedly many were made of Brasher Doubloons over the years. Detective Philip Marlowe is hired by Mrs. Murdock, a nasty wealthy woman, to find a stolen coin. Mrs. Murdock has a secretary, Merle Davis, who has some problems of her own, including being treated badly by her employer. Mrs. Murdock denies that her wastrel son Leslie stole it, but only the Mrs, the son, and Merle have access to the safe. A coin dealer called Mrs. Murdock and asked her if she was selling her coin as someone offered it to him. Marlowe visits the dealer, who tells Marlowe a little about the Brasher Doubloon, including that the maker and seven owners met unhappy ends. The dealer is later found dead and Marlowe finds a storage locker tag, which he uses to claim a package containing the coin. Mrs. Murdock now realizes that her son stole the coin and tries to call Marlowe off by telling him that she found the coin, but he visits her and shows her the coin that he has. Mrs. Murdock then orders Merle to get the coin from Marlowe, "use what you've got, child". Back at his office, Marlowe is visited by Mr. Vannier, a former film cameraman. Vannier pulls a gun and asks for the coin but is disarmed by Marlowe, who then heads home. Merle heads to Marlowe's apartment and starts working on him, but then finds a gun which she points at Marlowe. He gets the gun away from her, she then explains that Vannier was blackmailing Mrs. Murdock about something. Marlowe and Merle visit Vannier's house and find a small coin collection. The police arrest the gangsters and the son, also bring Merle to an office. Marlowe explains that the coin was only a medium of exchange in this whole business. He identifies the various killers to the police and frees Merle from her employer. The novel was also filmed in 1942 under the title "Time To Kill". Film title Detective Philip Marlowe drives up to this creepy house Marlowe meets Merle and Mrs. Murdock Mrs. Murdock explains about the missing coin She is not a collector but her deceased husband was "It's worth at least $10,000" Murdock coin collection tray A French Napoleon III silver coin is prominent, with a label that says "Louis Philippe" The missing coin label is "Napoleon III" Marlowe looks in telephone book for coin dealer Marlowe visits coin dealer's 1940's office Coin dealer's office Coin dealer with magnifying glass Marlowe in telephone booth after finding coin The phone booth coin looks all right to Marlowe The phone booth coin other side Coin dealer on floor Marlowe returns to Mrs. Murdock who says she has the coin to protect her son Marlowe shows her the coin he has Gunman Vannier comes to Marlowe's office looking for coin This character appears to be similar to the Peter Lorre character in "The Maltese Falcon" Marlowe takes care of him quickly In Marlowe's office the coin sits on a table Marlowe hides the coin in pipe tobacco case Tobacco toning? Merle shows up at Marlowe's apartment in nice dress Mrs. Murdock has ordered her to get the coin "at any price" Merle tries to get the coin one way Doesn't work with Marlowe She tries another way Marlowe is kidnapped by gangsters who want the coin Mrs. Murdock's son Leslie is mixed up with them Enhanced interrogation produces nothing Marlowe visits Vannier's apartment and finds his coin collection tray Leslie Murdock shows up What are the items on his necktie? Police arrest the gangsters Marlowe then explains and identifies another killer Merle gets her man The End
