I think it was platonic but Waldo definitely wanted more.

I love this movie too

I, too, believe they were near certainly platonic.

This movie includes one of the greatest surprise scenes in film history, when what we have been led to believe is discovered to not be the actual case. No matter how many times I watch Laura, that revelation scene never loses its impact.

It's a while since I saw this film but my impression was that Waldo was more than a little effeminate ( could just be the actor's style though) and may have had that strong friendship (or should I say connection) that gay men sometimes form with straight women. Laura probably took full advantage of this. I am not one of those people constantly looking for a gay subtext - indeed that irritates me a lot - but in this case - hmm - maybe.

@genplant29 said:

I, too, believe they were near certainly platonic.

This movie includes one of the greatest surprise scenes in film history, when what we have been led to believe is discovered to not be the actual case. No matter how many times I watch Laura, that revelation scene never loses its impact.

I really want to know what scene you are talking about. But that would mean a spoiler

@strangebedfellows said:

It's a while since I saw this film but my impression was that Waldo was more than a little effeminate ( could just be the actor's style though) and may have had that strong friendship (or should I say connection)

I've seen him in quite a few movies and thought he was effeminate.

(SPOILER FOLLOWS)

Aus, I meant when we - and all the characters in the movie - believe that Laura has been murdered, yet she one night eventually nonchalantly returns home, lets herself in, and completely shocks everyone.

Oh yes that lol.. I've seen the movie so often totally skipped my mind.

lol. Just a little minor plot detail.

The only part that didn't gel with me was Laura and the detective falling for each other. I mean they really didn't have a date or a decent personal conversaton etc.

I wonder if the Laura portrait somewhere survives and is on display today. That's a gorgeous portrait, so more than likely has been preserved somewhere.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKTjXem-doU/UKZi6wypYUI/AAAAAAAAADQ/2o1BmAEqh9M/s1600/laura.jpg

If you read about Laura on wiki you'll find and interesting fact about the portrait.

Very interesting! I think you mean the following:

Preminger...replaced the portrait of Laura....Mamoulian's wife Azadia had painted the original portrait, but Preminger replaced that with an enlarged photograph (taken by Fox photographer Frank Polony) of Tierney, lightly dabbed with oils to give it the ethereal effect he wanted.

Neat! I'd never have guessed that's an artistically enhanced photograph! It totally looks like a painted portrait!

I agree, it's totally realistic