[Tim Tucker]

Back in October, during the Scary Movie Challenge, the idea was raised for additional challenges for other genres during the year. One that was suggested was a Film Noir Challenge next month. I’m starting this thread to gauge how much interest there is, and to discuss the ground rules for the Challenge.

One thing to consider is what should it be called. A Film Noir Challenge sounds good, but that may be too limiting. (If any of you have followed other noir threads here, there is some debate on what is and is not a noir.)

Which brings up the next topic: just how broad a range of films should be allowed. Personally, I think the classic gangster film should be included (Little Caesar, The Public Enemy, Scarface etc.) because of its similarities to noir. But how about series detectives (Charlie Chan, The Thin Man, Mr. Moto, Michael Shayne, Sherlock Holmes etc.)? Caper films? Foreign films with a noir sensibility? No color films? Should it be limited to crime films made from 1940-1959?

And how about the rules? The Scary Movie Challenge is to watch 13 movies during October and write about them here. Two of those 13 must be films you have never seen before. Then there is the Ultimate Splatter Challenge – 31 films, 10 films new discoveries. Those who complete that receive the designation of “Ultimate Spatterhead” These sound like a good starting point, but of course, the terminology would have to be changed to match the genre.

So let’s open it up for discussion...

[TravisR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Tucker

A Film Noir Challenge sounds good, but that may be too limiting. (If any of you have followed other noir threads here, there is some debate on what is and is not a noir.)

Which brings up the next topic: just how broad a range of films should be allowed. Personally, I think the classic gangster film should be included (Little Caesar, The Public Enemy, Scarface etc.) because of its similarities to noir. But how about series detectives (Charlie Chan, The Thin Man, Mr. Moto, Michael Shayne, Sherlock Holmes etc.)? Caper films? Foreign films with a noir sensibility? No color films? Should it be limited to crime films made from 1940-1959?

I think it should be Crime Movies Challenge since (in my mind) that's a looser term and you can include movies that are noir, gangster, crime, detective, any era, whatever. Just use common sense when deciding what counts.

And I think color should be included since movies like Reservoir Dogs, Casino and Goodfellas certainly qualify as crime movies (assuming that the consensus is to go with crime movies ).

[Eric Peterson]

Personally, I would rather restrict it to Noir or possibly crime movies of a certain era. If you just open it to crime movies in general, it's a pretty wide open category. I am much more interested in discussing films from the past as there are already countless threads discussing more modern films. Just my two cents. Of course, we could also argue over symmantics and what does or does not qualify as a noir.

Here's a very intersting link that could provide a basis. They have several lists including Noir & Neo-Noir.
TSPDT - Film Noir: 250 Quintessential Noir Films - Part 1

Also, I would prefer a number that is somewhat feasbile. My life is too hectic to squeeze in 30 films per month any more. I would like to a see a number closer to 15 with at least 10 being new.

I've been needing some reason to focus on my unseen noirs for some time now, and think that this would be a great excuse to do so. I own 27 films from the main 250 list that I have yet to watch.

[Greg Layton]

I don't have anything significant to contribute other than the fact that I would be excited about participating. I've only seen seven films from that top 250 list that Eric posted, so there are obviously a lot of outstanding movies that I'll get to see for the first time.

[Russell G]

I'd play if it was noir/crime. Otherwise, I don't have enough noir in reserve to play, until july when the next warners set comes out (crosses fingers.)

[TravisR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell G

I'd play if it was noir/crime.

That's my feeling. If you make it too specific, it'll just turn into a "That's not a film noir" "Yes, it is" debate. Keep it wide and each viewer can decide what they want to watch and discuss. Except for some Scorsese and Tarantino movies, I'd almost definitely stay between the 1930's and 1950's but defending my choices as 'real' film noir will just be tedious.

[Michael Elliott]

I'm with Travis regarding "Crime". I think the original idea was to have it Gangster and Film Noir so both of these would fit fine under "Crime".

I don't mean to start a debate (seriously, I don't ) but the term "film noir" means nothing to me because when someone calls something film noir it strikes me as nothing more than mystery. So I think Tim had a good point on the various series like Holmes, Boston Blackie, Thin Man and so on. I really don't see these films any different than OUT OF THE PAST or any other "noir".

I also wouldn't put a limit on the years but I guess people could do this since I plan on watching the earlier stuff. I would make it from 1930 on if there's going to be a year limit because we can't leave out all those Cagney, Bogart and Robinson flicks. Of course, if it opens up then there are many gangster films from the silent era including one being released in Jan., which hasn't been seen since it was originally released in 1909 (except for a handful of people).

Also, does anyone have a list of the noirs released through Fox? I lost track of everything they've released. I also noticed a studio put out a noir line from Hammer studios and I'd be curious in checking these out to see how they compare to the horror films they were making at the time.

[Tim Tucker]

Michael, here's a complete list of the Fox series:

1. Laura
2. Call Northside 777
3. Panic in the Streets
4. House of Bamboo
5. The Street With No Name
6. Nightmare Alley
7. The House on 92nd Street
8. Somewhere In The Night
9. Whirlpool
10. The Dark Corner
11. Kiss of Death
12. Where The Sidewalk Ends
13. No Way Out
14. Fallen Angel
15. House On Telegraph Hill
16. Boomerang! (forthcoming... maybe )
17. House of Strangers
18. I Wake Up Screaming
19. Vicki
20. Shock
21. Fourteen Hours

with Black Widow, Daisy Kenyon and Dangerous Crossing coming in March... which won't do anyone much good in January.

Plus, here's all the titles in VCI's Hammer Noir series (all double features):

• Bad Blonde (1953)/Man Bait (1952)
• A Stolen Face (1952)/Blackout (1954)
• The Gambler and the Lady (1952)/Heat Wave (1954)
• Terror Street (1953)/Wings of Danger (1952)
• The Glass Tomb (1955)/Paid to Kill (1954)
• The Black Glove (1954)/The Deadly Game (1954)
• The Unholy Four (1954)/A Race For Life (1954)

Eric, thanks for posting that link. Made me realize just how much noir, proto-noir and neo-noir I have in my collection. You could have a successful challenge just picking titles from that list.

As for a title, how about "Winter Crime Challenge"? (I just love an apt pun. )

[Michael Elliott]

Thanks for the list Tim.

This is a great month to have this challenge because James Cagney is the star of the month on Turner Classic Movies and they're showing all of his popular gangster films as well as some lesser known crime movies.