Pitfall (1948) (Blu-ray) Available for Preorder (1 Viewer)

 

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This is considered one of the great Noirs of the late 1940's, and also one of the best films of a somewhat neglected director, Andre De Toth, who today is mostly known for directing HOUSE OF WAX in 3D with one eye. (He comes from an meritocracy of one eyed, visceral yet visually poetic directors, that include John Ford, Raoul Walsh & Fritz Lang) Anyway, I first saw this film in the early 90's at one of Eddie Muller's first Noir City festivals, at the Castro in San Francisco. What I found particularly compelling about this film are the performances, which are very nuanced and so detailed it's difficult not to sympathize with characters who are generally involved in non-sympathetic activities, especially Raymond Burr, as a sleazy detective whose main source of income appears to be blackmail. I don't recall this film being as visually dark as a typical Noir of the period. What I remember are scenes taking place in the bright California sunshine, which through the film's viewpoint into human nature, is transformed into a perennial 4 O'clock in the morning ambiance.

If for some inexplicable reason I was at all iffy about this purchase, the Eddie Muller commentary alone would have pushed me over the top.

I first saw this film at the late Tales Book Shop on La Brea in LA back in the 1990s. It's the film that introduced me to Lizabeth Scott and remains one of my favorites of hers. It's an instant purchase for me.

Same here, instant purchase for me. Another title that never got released on DVD, at least in Region 1.

Robert Crawford said:

Same here, instant purchase for me. Another title that never got released on DVD, at least in Region 1.

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I have this on DVD and I'm sure it's Region 1. I seem to recall there are two DVDs. Mine is of very poor quality so I'm delighted to be able to upgrade.

Robin9 said:

I have this on DVD and I'm sure it's Region 1. I seem to recall there are two DVDs. Mine is of very poor quality so I'm delighted to be able to upgrade.

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It's a Film Chest release which is the same as not being released at all.

Preordered from HTF link - Thanks Ron, for the heads up