*** Official "FILM NOIR" Discussion Thread (1 Viewer)

[Walter Kittel]

Mildred Pierce is broadcast on TCM from time to time, and I usually try to catch the broadcasts. It was shown last week and I neglected to mention it in my prior posts. I really enjoy this film for its narrative structure, some wonderful cinematography and a great 'bitchy' performance from Ann Blyth as Veda.
The film's cinematography makes great use of shadow and light. Two of my favorite shots in the film are....
Spoiler:When Mildred catches Monte and Veda together, as they slowly move out of shadow revealing their identities.
The final shot of the film with Bert and Mildred leaving the police station. Wonderful framing and lighting in this shot, and the inclusion of the women scrubbing the floor is a nice cue that reinforces Mildred's humble origins.
Definitely one of my favorite Michael Curtiz films.
- Walter.
[Edited last by Walter Kittel on August 24, 2001 at 12:51 PM]

 

[Peter M Fitzgerald]

Here's pretty much all the noir (and semi-noirish) films tentatively scheduled to play on Turner Classic Movies in Octber, November & December (all times Eastern):
October 2001
10/1
9:30 pm: THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (1946)
10/3
8:00 pm: THE BODY SNATCHER (1945, Val Lewton horror)
9:30 pm: ISLE OF THE DEAD (1945, Val Lewton horror)
10/6
4:30 am: SIDE STREET (1950)
10:00 am: THIS GUN FOR HIRE (1942)
4:00 pm: BEAT THE DEVIL (1954)
10/7
4:00 pm: NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955)
10/11
8:30 am: CROSSFIRE (1947)
8:30 pm: I CONFESS (1953)
10/12
12:00 am: THE WRONG MAN (1957)
10:00 am: KISS ME DEADLY (1955)
10/14
4:15 am: SCENE OF THE CRIME (1949)
10/18
5:00 pm: HIS KIND OF WOMAN (1951)
8:00 pm: HE RAN ALL THE WAY (1951)
10/20
10:00 am: FEAR (1946)
10/22
10:15 am: SUSPICION (1941)
2:00 pm: BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT (1956)
8:00 pm: THE BAD & THE BEAUTIFUL (1952)
10/23
12:30 am: JOHNNY EAGER (1941)
4:30 pm: GILDA (1946)
6:30 pm: THE BIG HEAT (1953)
10/27
12:45 am: BEAT THE DEVIL (1954)
10:00 am: THE STRANGER (1946)
6:00 pm: KEY LARGO (1948)
10/28
1:00 pm: D.O.A. (1950)
10/31
6:00 am: GASLIGHT (1944)
8:00 am: THE TWO MRS. CARROLLS (1947)
10:00 am: STAGE FRIGHT (1950)
November 2001
11/2
2:30 am: GASLIGHT (1944)
8:30 pm: CHAMPION (1949)
10:30 pm: THE WHIP HAND (1951)
11/3
10:00 am: THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW (1944)
11/5
8:00 pm: GILDA (1946)
11/6
1:00 pm: STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951)
11/7
9:30 pm: THE BIG HEAT (1953)
11:30 pm: TERROR ON A TRAIN (1953)
11/10
10:00 am: WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS (1956)
11/12
12:00 pm: DIAL M FOR MURDER (1954)
8:00 pm: SIDE STREET (1949)
9:30 pm: CAUSE FOR ALARM (1951)
11:00 pm: KIND LADY (1951)
11/13
12:30 am: THE BRIBE (1949)
11/14
10:30 pm: RANSOM (1956)
11/15
6:30 am: I CONFESS (1953)
11/16
3:00 pm: BEAT THE DEVIL (1954)
8:30 pm: D.O.A. (1950)
11/17
10:00 am: THE MALTESE FALCON (1941)
11/19
6:00 am: THE SECRET FURY (1950)
11/21
8:00 am: THE RACKET (1951)
11/24
10:00 am: WITNESS TO MURDER (1954)
2:00 pm: DIAL M FOR MURDER (1954)
11/25
6:00 pm: WHITE HEAT (1949)
11/27
9:30 am: DICK TRACY (1945)
11:00 am: DETOUR (1945)
6:00 pm: CORNERED (1945)
11/28
8:00 am: CROSSFIRE (1947)
11:00 am: IN A LONELY PLACE (1950)
1:00 pm: THE BAD & THE BEAUTIFUL (1952)
3:00 pm: THE BIG HEAT (1953)
11/29
8:00 pm: FURY (1936)
December 2001
12/1
10:00 am: CROSSFIRE (1947)
12/3
2:00 pm: IN A LONELY PLACE (1950)
12/5
9:00 am: FURY (1936)
10:00 am: CLASH BY NIGHT (1952)
4:30 pm: WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS (1956)
6:30 pm: BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT (1956)
12/6
10:00 am: STATION WEST (1948, a noir western)
12/7
3:30 pm: THIS GUN FOR HIRE (1942)
12/8
10:00 am: THE BRIBE (1949)
12/13
6:00 am: I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE (1943)
12/14
10:00 am: 99 RIVER STREET (1953)
11:30 am: THE WINDOW (1949)
12/15
10:00 am: THE BLUE DAHLIA (1946)
12/17
3:30 am: THE GIRL IN BLACK STOCKINGS (1957)
6:00 am: TENSION (1949)
12/19
4:00 am: SUSPICION (1941)
8:00 am: KNOCK ON ANY DOOR (1949)
6:00 pm: THE UNSUSPECTED (1947)
12/22
10:00 am: THE ACCUSED (1949)
2:00 pm: GILDA (1946)
10:00 pm: HIGH SIERRA (1941)
12/23
6:00 pm: THE MALTESE FALCON (1941)
12/27
12:00 pm: GILDA (1946)
12/29
10:00 am: CLASH BY NIGHT (1952)
6:00 pm: WHITE HEAT (1949)
[Edited last by Peter M Fitzgerald on August 25, 2001 at 01:37 PM]

 

[Mike Kelly]

Perhaps this is the correct topic to mention the passing of Jane Greer, who died yesterday. There's no doubt her greatest role was that of femme fatale Kathie Moffett in "Out of the Past" I think this film is one of the purest noirs both structurally and visually. It's theme of never being able to escape your past indiscretions is powerfully displayed by Robert Mitchum and the beautiful but deadly Greer. RIP Jane.

 

[Walter Kittel]

Nothing to add regarding Jane Greer. Shame it has to happen to all of us eventually. (sigh)
Finally viewed In A Lonely Place for the first time this weekend. Prior to viewing this film, I was aware of the high regard that some have for this film; so my expectations were accordingly high. ( In fact TCM's Robert Osborne commented on this topic himself when introducing the film. ) So with that in mind, I viewed this film Sunday evening.
The first thing that captured my attention was the cynicism of Bogart's Dixon Steele. I was really left with the impression that this guy had been around the block a couple of times. ( Although the same could be said of other Bogart characters. )
The balance of cynicism, volatility, and vulnerability in Bogart's performance was something to behold. I know that some regard this as Bogart's best performance, and I'm inclined to agree. He created a complex, 3 dimensional character that came to life and inhabited the story in a way that few actors could hope to achieve. He completely commanded the screen whenever his character was in frame. Wow, what a performance.
The other aspect of the film that stood out for me was the screenplay. I'm sure that writing about a screenwriter had to be a lot of fun for the writers. Dixon's early comments about filmmaking and the proposed film adaption of the novel he was supposed to read ( forget the novel's name ) were a lot of fun ( in a self-referential sort of way. )
Spoiler:My one criticism of the screenplay was the line that Steele was attempting to insert in his new work ( the three part phrase regarding love ). This line and its eventual reappearence as uttered by Gloria Grahame felt very telegraphed. Just a small complaint, however.
Spoiler:On a more positive note, I loved how the film teased the viewer and hinted that Steele was capable of the murder without linking him to the act. The sense of unease and how it was reflected in Grahame's character was very effective. Also, the end with the shot of Bogart walking away alone, worked extremely well and reinforced the title of the film in a satisfying manner.
All in all, a fine film with a terrific Bogart performance.
- Walter.
[Edited last by Walter Kittel on August 27, 2001 at 01:48 PM]

 

[Robert Crawford]

Heads up to film noir lovers, "Kansas City Confidential" DVD is coming out on 6/4/02. Also, "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" is out on dvd. The film is not nearly as good as "White Heat" but Cagney was terrific as always.

Crawdaddy

 

[Walter Kittel]

Robert,
Thanks for the heads up on Kansas City Confidential. Definitely going on to my pre-order list.
Several other titles worth mentioning for fans of noir are...
The recent releases of The Deep End and Bob Le Flambeur and today's release of an Artisan two pack of Champion and Body and Soul.
- Walter.

 

[Mike Broadman]

Wowie, what a thread! I was looking for some noir recs. How convenient.

Before looking at this thread, my netflix queue had 8 titles. Now, it has 23.

The most recent noir I saw was The Third Man (can ya tell I'm new to this genre?). I liked it, though I'm not exactly sure as to why this is considered one of the greatest films of all time. There are some great shots, like when Welles first appears, and the last scene when he watches her walk past him. The female lead was great- I love that self-destructive "I love him anyway" thing.

 

[Mark-W]

Just to add to the discussion in general...
I have now had three film profs, all with their PhDs
in film, state that "Film Noir is a style not
a genre."
The last, whom I finding I have very high admiration for,
says, that the term "film noir" only applies to films
during a certain period of time in film history...as
mentioned most of the films in the thread fit that time
line (My notes aren't here to get the exact dates, but
something like 1942 to 1959.)
Anything past a certain date with noir style should be
called "Neo-Noir" according to her.
It was a few weeks ago, but I found her comments quite
compelling.
just my $0.02
Mark

 

[BrettB]

I don't believe anyone has mentioned dialogue. Is the unique dialogue of noir films typical but not mandatory?