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HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). - Page 2

post #31 of 49
7/20/06 at 11:19am

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

Yeah, I'd never seen the movie before, a great one indeed. The Herrmann score certainly helps things along when it kicks in. Anyone familiar with his other work might notice that right at the 30 minute mark of the DVD, when Ryan has arrived in the snowy countryside and is being briefed by the local policeman as they get to the scene of the crime, the musical phrase there is pretty much the exact same one that Herrmann later used as a major theme in North by Northwest.
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Film Noir Classic Collection, Vol. 3 (Border Incident / His Kind of Woman / Lady in the Lake / On Dangerous Ground / The Racket)
$23.45 at
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post #32 of 49
7/20/06 at 11:30am

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

Caught that too! Quite a few familiar Herrmann phrases in there - terrific score.
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post #33 of 49
7/21/06 at 6:54am

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

VAGUE SPOILERS AHEAD:









What is everyone's opinion on the "miracle" ending? Robert Osborne said Ray didn't want it, but Ryan and Lupino did. Osborne went so far as to say they had the ending shot when Ray was absent, which is a bit hard to believe.

Anyway, the film would not have been overly negative if it ended before the final ending; however, the final ending didn't bother me. In fact, the closeup of their hands clasping was emotionally powerful.

Doug
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post #34 of 49
7/21/06 at 7:09am

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

Quote:
Of course his other great noir (his first film) is THEY LIVE BY NIGHT - like ODG, it's noir with unusual tenderness.

In a Lonely Place is pretty noirish as well, and that's certainly a great movie.

Doug, Glenn Erickson's DVD commentary has some more details on the ending, including the difference from the original novel and the various incarnations that showed up in the drafts by screenwriter A.I. Bezzerides. I thought it was maybe a bit much, but pretty effective nonetheless, basically similar to what you're saying.
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post #35 of 49
7/21/06 at 7:22am

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug Otte
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
What is everyone's opinion on the "miracle" ending? Robert Osborne said Ray didn't want it, but Ryan and Lupino did. Osborne went so far as to say they had the ending shot when Ray was absent, which is a bit hard to believe.

Anyway, the film would not have been overly negative if it ended before the final ending; however, the final ending didn't bother me. In fact, the closeup of their hands clasping was emotionally powerful.

TBH - and this was the first time I'd seen the film - I'm with Ray on that one. Didn't ruin the film, by any means, but it did look a little tacked on.
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post #36 of 49
7/21/06 at 3:17pm

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

On Dangerous Ground is an absolutely brilliant film, and one of my favorite Noirs. I really wish the DVD looked better, but I trust that Warner gave us the best they could. I'm still happy as a clam to finally have it in my collection (replacing my home-burned third-generation off-air DVR recording).
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post #37 of 49
8/1/06 at 4:14pm

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

Thanks for the review, Herb. I've read all the Marlowe books by Chandler and I've seen (or at least remember seeing) all the Marlowe movies you mentioned except for Brasher Doubloon. I agree with you: Dick Powell turned in the best Marlowe performance. My take of Malowe from Chandler's books is that he is an optimist who knows from experience that most things turn out badly. Powell, more than any of the others, captured that attitude. In my opinion, Robert Montgomery, in this set's Lady in the Lake, comes the next closest. Of course, Marlowe as the "subjective camera" takes away from Robert Montgomery's performance since he has little chance to use his face or body in his portrayal. For me, the subjective camera worked very well, particularly when Marlowe couldn't keep his eyes off of the hot receptionist. Of my three favorite Marlowe films, Lady in the Lake is #2 (behind Murder My Sweet and ahead of The Big Sleep with Bogart).
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post #38 of 49
8/1/06 at 4:37pm

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

Got this set recently, with all the films being new to me. The latest i've seen was His Kind of Woman-- which was great entertainment, especially with some of those lines, but hardly a noir. It makes me wonder just how noirish this set is
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post #39 of 49
8/1/06 at 7:03pm
Thread Starter 

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

The latest i've seen was His Kind of Woman-- which was great entertainment, especially with some of those lines, but hardly a noir. It makes me wonder just how noirish this set is


Considering the butchering that took place during the production of the film, it's a miracle that it turned out as well as it did. As for these titles being "noir", while I'd agree there's a varied assortment of styles of noir, I feel very comfortable calling any of these "noir". IMO, Warner's careful selection of titles -- differing widely in style with a broader appeal, has led to the success of these noir boxes.

Considering the popularity of the movement, the only thing I can't figure out is why Sony and Paramount can't seem to figure this out....
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post #40 of 49
8/1/06 at 8:50pm

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

Quote:
Considering the butchering that took place during the production of the film, it's a miracle that it turned out as well as it did.

Personally I think Hughes' interference made for a better film. If it had ended, as the commentary indicates, around the 90 minute mark with Mitchum getting captured and duking it out with the villain, we would've had a decent but not spectacular noir. But the last half hour, even if it comes out of nowhere, is what makes the film.

I think the biggest problem is with the subplots (Jim Backus and the married couple), which were probably necessary to pad the original film to ninety minutes, but are distracting in the two hour version.
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post #41 of 49
8/2/06 at 4:34am

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

Quote:
Originally Posted by seanOhara
Personally I think Hughes' interference made for a better film. If it had ended, as the commentary indicates, around the 90 minute mark with Mitchum getting captured and duking it out with the villain, we would've had a decent but not spectacular noir. But the last half hour, even if it comes out of nowhere, is what makes the film.

I think the biggest problem is with the subplots (Jim Backus and the married couple), which were probably necessary to pad the original film to ninety minutes, but are distracting in the two hour version.

I haven't gotten around to listen to the commentary yet, but I came up with the same feelings about the film being too long, the Backus part added on and the last half hour coming out of nowhere. The last half hour frankly ruined the film for me because I felt it was buffoonish. It might make the film for some viewers, but for me it was a distraction and not necessary. The focus of this film is Mitchum and he basically disappears during the ending segment. Tighten up the film and it may have made a taut, tense 80 minute thriller. As it is, I find it a mess.
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post #42 of 49
8/3/06 at 5:36pm

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Herb Kane
Considering the popularity of the movement, the only thing I can't figure out is why Sony and Paramount can't seem to figure this out....

Don't forget about Universal. They put out a handful of noirs a few years ago with no extras and no promotion (and no option to buy them in a box) and then completely dropped the idea of releasing any more noir, which is crazy considering how popular film noir is right now. At least they're releasing Double Indemnity this month, though.
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post #43 of 49
8/3/06 at 9:55pm
Thread Starter 

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

Don't forget about Universal. They put out a handful of noirs a few years ago with no extras and no promotion (and no option to buy them in a box) and then completely dropped the idea of releasing any more noir, which is crazy considering how popular film noir is right now.


Absolutely Chris -- particularly when you think of what titles they are sitting on...
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post #44 of 49
8/4/06 at 5:07am

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

Hopefully "Double Indemnity" will sell in droves and Universal will decide to release more noir. At least, one can hope, right?
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post #45 of 49
8/4/06 at 12:50pm

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

The day-before-yesterday this classic collection set arrived.

This evening, I finished watching the doc. and the 5 DVD's.

I was very satisfied with vol.1, but why "Border Incident" and "The Racket" in this boxset? Far below expectation. Both crime thrillers, 12 in a dozen in my opinion, but why both are Film-Noirs?

Why not THE BLUE DAHLIA, AFFAIR IN TRINIDAD, THE BIG STEAL, WOMAN IN THE WINDOW, THE GLASS KEY for instance?

Yeah, and rather childish, in regards of the doc. DVD, the beep in the comment of James Ellroy.
Normally the submitted comment of the DVD distributor is, that they are not responsible for the content of the comments on the DVD.
My 2nd disappointment regarding this doc. DVD is , that they used too many excerpts from OUT OF THE PAST and LADY IN THE LAKE ( Maybe because the contribition of Jane Greer and Audrey Trotter). There are so many other great "Noirs".....
Third disappointment is the few attention towards the femme-fatales... a big part of genre Film-Noir I thought. I missed Lana Turner [THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE), Yvonne de Carlo (CRISS CROSS), Lizabeth Scott, Gene Tierney, Jean Peters, Lauren Bacall, Ava Gardner etc, etc.
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post #46 of 49
8/4/06 at 1:08pm

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hodson
On Dangerous ground is very dupey, and yes it's soft, but after a brief run through, the upside is that it appears to be pretty clean.
Soft indeed. Like John Wayne's "3 Godfathers", "On Dangerous ground" is a film who should be aired during Xmass.

I watch GILDA often for instance, however "On Dangerous ground" is not a movie to watch regularly.
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post #47 of 49
8/4/06 at 4:27pm

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Multi-Region

Why not THE BLUE DAHLIA, AFFAIR IN TRINIDAD, THE BIG STEAL, WOMAN IN THE WINDOW, THE GLASS KEY for instance?

Because Universal owns the rights to The Blue Dahlia and The Glass Key, while Sony/Columbia has Affair In Trinidad and (I think) Woman in the Window. I'd love to see The Big Steal in a future WB noir set, though.
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post #48 of 49
8/7/06 at 5:00am

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

I'd like to put in a kind word for "Border Incident", which seems to be the most derided film here. Admittedly, I had not seen it before and noting that it starred Ricardo Montalban did not set my heart aflutter. And I did find the first hour fairly routine, if well done, with some fine moments
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

expecially the people in the quicksand

But, starting with the scene where
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

Jack Bearnes is run over by a tractor

the movie was on rails for me. The last half hour was extraordinarily gripping and tense. Plus, I have grown to love Charles McGraw and especially that unique voice of his.

I'd suggest listening to the commentary, which talks a lot about the cinematography and how it fits into the noir cannon.

Of the other films, I have a special fondness in my heart for "The Racket" (probably because it contains both Roberts, Mitchum and Ryan). I really loved "On Dangerous Ground", liked "Lady In The Lake" (thought Robert Montgomery is hardly my ideal Marlowe) and had my problems with "His Kind Of Woman", which I have stated previously.

Overall, I loved the set and really look forward to Volume 4.
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post #49 of 49
8/7/06 at 6:29am

Re: HTF REVIEW: Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection V3 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

Quote:
Originally Posted by ted:r
...I have grown to love Charles McGraw and especially that unique voice of his...

"Hey, Bright Boy!"

- The Killers

Doug
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Film Noir Classic Collection, Vol. 3 (Border Incident / His Kind of Woman / Lady in the Lake / On Dangerous Ground / The Racket)
$23.45 at
See it »
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