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Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

post #1 of 34
4/28/09 at 10:31am
Thread Starter 
Like Joe Karlosi did it for the Halloween-themed Set, let's speculate a bit about Warner's forthcoming Film Noir Box.

Some facts that we already know from their last chat:

Quote:
My request is for a fifth film noir box. Given the tough economic times, it would be
great if - like Vol. 4 - it featured 10 films, including: Riffraff, The Clay Pigeon, Armored Car Robbery, I Died a Thousand Times, The Locket, Stranger on the Third Floor, Born to Be Bad, and
another few surprises.

The FILM NOIR V FIVE BOX is coming in a few months. NONE of the titles you mentioned are in the collection, but all of those titles are likely to show up through Warner Archive releases. So, it's a win/win situation. Lots more NOIR!

What's left as potential titles for a fifth volume and which titles do you want to see in it?

Personally, I have no overview, which Noirs are sitting in their vaults and I'll pick this set up no matter what movies will be included but here are some real buffs among us. Furthermore I believe this thread is a nice way to kill some time till we see the official announcement and maybe Warner will get some inspiration for a sixth, seventh and eight Film Noir set.
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post #2 of 34
4/28/09 at 11:40am

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

My main 'want' in a new box would be "Devil Thumbs a Ride".
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post #3 of 34
4/28/09 at 11:57am

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

I would especially want:

Backfire (50)
The Man I Love (46)
Second Chance (52) - not considered noir by some, but actually much more noirish that several titles included in the Fox noir collection series
The Woman on Pier 13 (51) - that one is almost a parody with a very troubled production history

I think someone mentioned in another thread that Julie (56) will be included?
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post #4 of 34
4/28/09 at 12:40pm

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

Well eliminating the titles mentioned (BTW I'm hugely disappointed that Stranger on the Third Floor won't make the cut and is planned to be dumped in the Archives) my 10 picks would be

Desperate - one of Anthony Mann's finest Noirs IMO. Raymond Burr's psychotic villain is iconic and memorable
The Devil Thumbs a Ride - Lawrence Tierney plays a sociopathic hitch-hiker - what's not to like?
The Window - remade numerous times
Out of the Fog - Garfield/Lapino
The Threat - Charles McGraw
The Mask of Dimitrios - Lorre/Greenstreet
He Ran all the Way- Garfield
Conflict - Bogart/Greenstreet
Ride the Pink Horse - Robert Montgomery
Rogue Cop - Robert Taylor

A nice little sampling of everything noir
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post #5 of 34
4/28/09 at 12:53pm

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

CRY TERROR!, THE DECKS RAN RED, HIGH WALL, THE BRIBE, THE TALL TARGET, MAN IN A CLOAK, THE BLACK HAND, THE VERDICT (Lorre and Greenstreet). WOMAN IN WHITE, WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS, BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT (Being remade), CONSPIRATOR, THE SECRET FURY, TALK ABOUT A STRANGER, SHADOW ON THE WALL, SHADOW IN THE SKY, TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY, LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE, DIAL 119, THE PEOPLE AGAINST o'HARA, THE SELLOUT, DANGEROUS MISSION.
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post #6 of 34
4/28/09 at 1:05pm

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

Didn't I read somewhere the late director Vincent Sherman recorded commentary for several films thus far not released? I seem to specifically recall he did a commentary for at least one of the two Ann Sheridan film noirs he directed: NORA PRENTISS and THE UNFAITHFUL. So those would be my guess.

And would you categorize Vincente Sherman's brilliant, still ahead of its time film THE HARD WAY as a film noir? Joan Leslie should hopefully be involved as well, at least for a commentary track.

I hope we find out soon!
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post #7 of 34
4/28/09 at 1:48pm

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_K
my 10 picks would be

Desperate - one of Anthony Mann's finest Noirs IMO. Raymond Burr's psychotic villain is iconic and memorable
The Devil Thumbs a Ride - Lawrence Tierney plays a sociopathic hitch-hiker - what's not to like?
The Window - remade numerous times
Out of the Fog - Garfield/Lapino
The Threat - Charles McGraw
The Mask of Dimitrios - Lorre/Greenstreet
He Ran all the Way- Garfield
Conflict - Bogart/Greenstreet
Ride the Pink Horse - Robert Montgomery
Rogue Cop - Robert Taylor

A nice little sampling of everything noir

That's a nice list, but Ride The Pink Horse and He Ran All The Way are Universal and UA films respectively so they won't make it. I'd replace them with The Bribe and While The City Sleeps.
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post #8 of 34
4/28/09 at 3:16pm

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

While the City Sleeps is on my list. One of my favorites.
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post #9 of 34
4/28/09 at 3:18pm

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Livius
That's a nice list, but Ride The Pink Horse and He Ran All The Way are Universal and UA films respectively so they won't make it. I'd replace them with The Bribe and While The City Sleeps.


Thanks and you're correct. Thought Pink Horse was MGM for some reason and I originally picked The Locket for more Mitchum then realized it was slated for Archives and scrambled for a replacement (He Ran All the way).

Almost picked The Verdict but already had a Lorre/Greenstreet selected with Dimitrios.
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post #10 of 34
4/28/09 at 5:15pm

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

If the set features 10 films, and won't include any of the titles mentioned in that Warner Chat question, I'd go with:

WHEN STRANGERS MARRY (1944, Monogram)
THREE STRANGERS (1946, WB)
DEEP VALLEY (1947, WB)
DESPERATE (1947, RKO)
THE DEVIL THUMBS A RIDE (1947, RKO)
THEY WON'T BELIEVE ME (1947, RKO)
THE THREAT (1949, RKO)
THE WINDOW (1949, RKO)
CRY DANGER (1951, RKO)
WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS (1956, RKO)

Other possibles, not yet mentioned:

BEWITCHED (1945, MGM)
CRACK-UP (1946, RKO)
DEADLINE AT DAWN (1946, RKO)
THE ARNELO AFFAIR (1947, MGM)
THE UNSUSPECTED (1947, WB)
BERLIN EXPRESS (1948, RKO)
FOLLOW ME QUIETLY (1949, RKO)
THE TATTOOED STRANGER (1950, RKO)
ROADBLOCK (1951, RKO)
THE WHIP HAND (1951, RKO)
SPLIT SECOND (1953, RKO)
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post #11 of 34
4/29/09 at 11:50am

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

Since I liked all of the other Dmytryk noirs, I hope "Cornered" will be in this collection (since it was rumoured to be in n°4, but got replaced at the last minute with "The Big Steal" - which was a fun road movie, but no noir).

Aside from that any Anthony Mann, Lorre-Greenstreet, Tourneur (Berlin express seems interesting), Fleischer, ... are welcome.

And "The Unsuspected" also seems interesting. Noir directed by Curtiz with Claude Rains
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post #12 of 34
4/29/09 at 12:10pm

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

I find it extremely lame that the landmark STRANGER ON THE THIRD FLOOR, often cited as the first true Film Noir, will be dumped in the Archive. If any film deserves to be part of one of the official noir boxes, it's this one. What the...?

I'm expecting my two most wanted noirs, THREE STRANGERS and THE MASK OF DIMITRIOS, to be dumped in the Archive as well. But I'd love to be proven wrong.
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post #13 of 34
4/29/09 at 4:21pm

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

More than anything, I would love two Fritz Lang films included;

While the City Sleeps (superb cast)
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
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post #14 of 34
4/30/09 at 3:15am

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacqui
More than anything, I would love two Fritz Lang films included;

While the City Sleeps (superb cast)
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

These two were screened together recently here in Los Angeles during the film noir festival at the Egyptian Cinematheque.

Great films.

I hope they find their way to DVD.
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post #15 of 34
4/30/09 at 9:26am

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacqui
More than anything, I would love two Fritz Lang films included;

While the City Sleeps (superb cast)
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

I taped these from the bbc a year or so (I think). WtCS was quite good, but I couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed. I've probably been spoiled by "The big heat" and "Scarlet Street". Maybe I'll like it better on a rewatch.

BaRD had a very interesting premise, but I absolutely loathed Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
the twist at the end. It made no sense whatsoever...


I know Fritz lang had problems with the producer in BaRD, yet I don't really know what about exactly. But in my opinion, they've spoiled a very interesting premise.
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post #16 of 34
5/1/09 at 9:11pm

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

Cry Danger is a personal favorite, and has shown up on TCM with a pretty clean print. I'd be surprised if it's NOT included on the next Noir set.
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post #17 of 34
5/2/09 at 7:06am

Re: Warner's next Film Noir Set (pure speculation)

Sadly enough, LionsGate owns CRY DANGER, and they are totally indifferent to their classics catalogue. They are literally "sitting" on CAUGHT, THE STRANGER AFFAIR OF UNCLE HARRY, PLUNDER ROAD, THE DARK MIRROR, TRY AND GET ME, SPECTER OF THE ROSE, PITFALL and MOONRISE. I would particularly like to see CRY DANGER, PITFALL and MOONRISE released on dve, but I guess we have to file it under "it ain't gonna happen."
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post #18 of 34
8/5/09 at 10:14am
Thread Starter 

Nearly four months later and may be there's somebody out there who has some insider information regarding the status of this set?

 

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post #19 of 34
8/9/09 at 6:03pm
I'm guessing there won't be a noir set this year.... again...  :(
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post #20 of 34
8/13/09 at 5:26am
Not unless it's on DVD-R... 
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post #21 of 34
8/13/09 at 11:16am
and not available outside of the US....   
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post #22 of 34
8/14/09 at 4:59am
I hope Warner release noir films that were shot in CinemaScope.
Check this list out. If I am missing any titles please add to the list.

Slightly Scarlet (RKO Scope)
Hell on Frisco Bay
I Died a Thousand Times
Tip on a Dead Jockey
While the City Sleeps (SuperScope)
House of Numbers
The Unholy Wife (SuperScope)
Edited by flagbrothers - 8/14/2009 at 03:31 pm GMT
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post #23 of 34
8/14/09 at 7:54am
I would hope that Criterion would license Lang's While The City Sleeps for release since Warners has apparently changed its policy on that sort of thing. Nobody could do a better job. Would love to see Hell on Frisco Bay and Slightly Scarlet as well!

But I most want the Robert Taylor noirs like Rogue Cop and the early b&w gritty RKO classics like Armored Car Robbery, Stranger on the Third Floor, I Died A Thousand Times, The Window, etc. I wish the original box set were still slated for a '09 release. I can't see how the studio would not turn some profit on the set... the list of films were far better than last years selections too. A real bummer!
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post #24 of 34
8/29/09 at 10:46pm
So does anyone know if this set will be coming out this year? Afterall WB released two gangster sets last year, I don't know why they won't release two more film noir sets to keep "us" fans happy.

- Peter
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post #25 of 34
9/5/09 at 2:56pm
Thread Starter 
I know I'm a pain in the neck but I'm really looking forward to the promised 5th Noir set but with all those Noirs being released in the Archive line I'm getting a bit anxious. Mr. Epstein, do you have any information, whether they're still planning to release this set?
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post #26 of 34
9/8/09 at 5:15am
Thread Starter 

Good news from Barrie Maxwell's Classic Coming Attractions Column:


Quote:

Film noir fans will be glad to know that the previously-promised fifth volume of titles is definitely a go for a pressed DVD release. The format will be 10 films on 5 DVDs with commentaries and other extras included. Titles have not yet been revealed and exact release timing has not been finalized either.
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/barriemaxwell/maxwell090809b.html
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post #27 of 34
9/8/09 at 6:25am
Well that's great news!
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post #28 of 34
9/8/09 at 9:47am
Wonderful news! Their last noir box was their best, IMO, at least in value for money. I really hope this one wil be just as good.
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post #29 of 34
9/8/09 at 12:34pm
I suppose they look on the extras and the redone transfers as a sunk cost so they may as well release it in pressed form.  But I wouldn't be looking for another volume.
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post #30 of 34
9/8/09 at 4:16pm
 If it sells well and is profitable, the only thing keeping it from being the last is access to product. I'm buying it, am not buying the archive stuff, and will continue to support these pressed classics to the best of my ability. If the end is (louis) nye, it won't be because i gave up on it...
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