For film buffs and literature lovers alike, Turner Classic Movies presents an essential guide to 40 cinematic classics and the enduring love stories that have served as their heart-tugging inspiration. We are proud to present Kristen Lopez’s chapter on the classic film noir Laura from her new book, “But Have You Read the Book? Romance Edition:40 Love Stories That Inspired Our Favorite Films.”
Listen to the film’s music score while you read.
The film is based on the book by Vera Caspary. This is the first edition. In our gallery below you will find several other editions with a variety of cover art. 
Excerpted from But Have You Read the Book? Romance Edition: 40 Love Stories That Inspired Our Favorite Films by Kristen Lopez. Copyright © 2026. Available from Running Press, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Read the chapter on “Like Water for Chocolate.”
Other featured adaptations include:
Anna Karenina · Atonement · The Bishop’s Wife · How Stella Got Her Groove · The Bridges of Madison County · Bridget Jones’s Diary · Chocolat · Doctor Zhivago · The Ghost and Mrs. Muir · Jane Eyre ·Love Story · The Notebook · A Room With a View · The Sheik
EatDrinkFilms offers a variety of LAURA bonuses in our gallery.
The book Laura is available from your favorite bookseller or library. You can also read it free on Archive.
“Vera Louise Caspary (November 13, 1899-June 13, 1987) was a novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. Her bestselling novel, Laura, was made into an Academy Award-winning film. Her novels were known for their use of multiple perspectives and her trademark career girls, young women who refused male protection and paternalism in their struggles for independence and autonomy.”Read Carol Stabile’s fascinating story about Caspary here. 
Listen to the Lux Theater Radio Hour adaptation starring Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Vincent Price and Otto Kruger.
The film’s director, Otto Preminger, had originally wanted to use Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Lady” as the theme, but Raksin was not convinced that it was suitable. Angered, Preminger gave Raksin one weekend to compose an alternative melody. Raksin later said that when, over that weekend, his wife sent him a “Dear John” letter, the haunting theme seemed to write itself. The lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer after the film made the tune popular, so he had to title the song “Laura”. According to Mercer, he had not yet seen the movie when he wrote the lyrics but was aware that it was a romantic, somewhat haunting story. The song became a jazz standard and has been recorded more than 400 times.
Julie London sings the theme song, “Laura.”
Frank Sinatra sings “Laura” on the “Where Are You” album on Capitol Records. It was arranged by Gordon Jenkins. Listen here.
Turner Classic Movies shows great movies all the time. Do you have an interest in Film Noir? Don’t miss Eddie Muller’s “Noir Alley” every week on TCM.
Watch this interview with writer Kristen Lopez.
Available from your favorite local bookstore or visit HERE.
Kristen Lopez is a pop culture essayist, critic, editor, and disability expert. She has worked as an entertainment journalist for over 15 years, with her articles appearing at Variety, MTV, TCM, and Roger Ebert. A California native, Kristen was raised in a small suburb near Sacramento and graduated with a Masters in English from California State University, Sacramento. Based in Los Angeles, she enjoys reading and finding Old Hollywood connections in her neighborhood in her free time. She is the author of “But Have You Read the Book: 52 Literary Gems That Inspired Our Favorite Films.” and Popcorn Disability.
Kristen was previously the Film Editor for TheWrap and the TV Editor for IndieWire where she was nominated for a SoCal Journalism Award and National Journalism Award by the LA Press Club. She is the creator of the classic film podcast, Ticklish Business. Her blog and website are the perfect places to get to know Kristen. The Film Maven. Website
