Crawdaddy's "Random Thoughts" about Home Video, Film & TV (6 Viewers)

[Matt Hough]

I agree. Not film noir: either of them.

 

[titch]

View attachment 111996

This week's Noir Alley movie is "Drive a Crooked Road" (1954) starring Mickey Rooney, Dianne Foster, Kevin McCarthy and Jack Kelly. I've watched this movie at least three times with my most recent viewing last year. My thoughts can be found here. Earlier this year, when it was $5.00, I bought the "Movies Anywhere" HD Digital of it from Vudu, so I might use this opportunity to finally watch that digital in its entirety.


Updated TCM's Noir Alley 2021 schedule:

01-02-21: The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry
01-09-21: The Glass Key
01-16-21: Witness to Murder
01-23-21: Born to Kill
01-30-21: The Killers
02-06-21: The Killer that Stalked New York
02-20-21: Native Son
02-27-21: Odds Against Tomorrow
03-06-21: Killer's Kiss
03-13-21: The Night Holds Terror
03-20-21: The Third Man
03-27-21: Pepe Le Moko
05-15-21: Touch of Evil
05-22-21: The Brothers Rico
05-29-21: Act of Violence
06-05-21: Possessed (1947)
06-12-21: Walk a Crooked Mile
06-19-21: The Blue Gardenia
06-26-21: Shadow of a Doubt
07-03-21: Guilty Bystander
07-10-21: The Bribe
07-17-21: Los Tallos Amargos (The Bitter Stems)
07-24-21: Cause for Alarm
07-31-21: Hollow Triumph aka The Scar
09-04-21: Cloudburst
09-11-21: Drive a Crooked Road
09-18-21: Human Desire
09-25-21: Hell Bound
10-02-21: The Glass Wall
10-09-21: Brighton Rock
10-16-21: The Dark Past
10-23-21: La bestia debe morir (The Beast Must Die)
10-30-21: Strange Fascination
11-06-21: Five Steps to Danger
11-13-21: The Lineup
11-20-21: Johnny O'Clock
11-27-21: Tight Spot
12-04-21: The Unsuspected
12-11-21: Cruel Gun Story
12-18-21: Blast of Silence

Now available in a stand-alone release in the UK. The long-out of print Columbia Noir vol 1 is currently going for $272, so this is welcome.

See on Amazon

 

[Robert Crawford]

This weekend's "Noir Alley" movie is "The Unfaithful" (1947) starring Ann Sheridan, Lew Ayres, Zachary Scott and Eve Arden. Directed by Vincent Sherman. Eddie and Anne talk about this movie quite often on "Ask Eddie" segments because I think it's a personal favorite of Anne while Eddie has an affection for it too. I think I have this movie still on my DVR from a previous showing on TCM and I also have the WAC 2009 DVD. This will probably be the only movie I watch on Sunday so I'm looking forward to revisiting it along with listening to Eddie's comments.

Updated TCM's Noir Alley 2022/2023 Schedule:

04-02-22: Pitfall
04-09-22: Bob le flambeur
04-16-22: Night and the City
04-23-22: The Window
04-30-22: Johnny Angel
05-07-22: No Man of Her Own
05-14-22: The Killer is Loose
05-21-22: My Name is Julia Ross
05-28-22: Bad Day at Black Rock
06-04-22: Out of the Past
06-11-22: The Guilty
06-18-22: House of Strangers Thieves' Highway
06-25-22: Down Three Dark Streets
07-02-22: The Strange One
07-09-22: Hide Tide
07-16-22: Scarlet Street
07-23-22: 5 Against the House
07-30-22: Raw Deal
09-03-22: Hit and Run
09-10-22: Obsession
09-17-22: The Naked Street
09-24-22: I Love Trouble
10-01-22: The Red House
10-08-22: The Phenix City Story
10-15-22: The Argyle Secrets
10-22-22: Cage of Evil
10-29-22: El Vampiro Negro
11-05-22: City of Fear
11-12-22: Tension
11-19-22: The Unfaithful
11-26-22: Death of a Cyclist
12-03-22: Decoy
12-10-22: Walk Softly, Stranger
12-17-22: Mr. Soft Touch
01-07-23: Don't Bother to Knock
01-14-23: Thunder Road
01-21-23: The Two Mrs. Carrolls
01-28-23: Highway 301
02-04-23: Hangover Square
02-11-23: Kiss the Blood Off My Hands
02-18-23: Lightning Strikes Twice
02-25-23: Hunt the Man Down

 

[Robert Crawford]

Speaking of watching movies, I've been busy doing exactly that, with many film noirs. This past week, most of them were foreign noirs. Later today, I'll be watching "The Diamond Wizard" (1954) 3-D Blu-ray.

"Touchez pas au grisbi" (1954), "Cry Vengeance" (1954), "Private Hell 36" (1954), "Hidden Fear" (1957)

"Razzia Sur La Chnouf" (1955)

"The Gun Runners" (1958) and "Storm Fear" (1955)

"The Devil Strikes at Night" (1957) and "Black Gravel" (1961)

"Jigsaw" (1962)

"Town on Trial" (1957)

"Time Without Pity" (1957)

 

[Matt Hough]

I'll be watching The Unfaithful faithfully!

 

[bujaki]

Saw The Unfaithful at MoMA (35mm nitrate print) during the Warners' retro. It played the same day as The Letter. The former suffered in comparison.
It's time to watch it again after 49 years for Sheridan and Arden!

 

[Robert Crawford]

Saw The Unfaithful at MoMA (35mm nitrate print) during the Warners' retro. It played the same day as The Letter. The former suffered in comparison.
It's time to watch it again after 49 years for Sheridan and Arden!

Right, though, some of the plot points are derived from "The Letter" and "The Unfaithful" could be considered a remake by some people, it still doesn't measure up to the 1940 movie. Furthermore, the differences between the two lead female characters are enormous despite both of them committing adultery. With that said, the real differences between the two movies is how and why their lover was killed.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I'll be watching The Unfaithful faithfully!

I always liked "The Unfaithful" because it gave us some perspective from the woman's point of view during those WWII years and right after it.

 

[Robert Crawford]

My thoughts on “The Unfaithful”:

Post in thread '*** 2nd Annual HTF Noirvember Movie Challenge***'
https://www.hometheaterforum.com/co...oirvember-movie-challenge.377201/post-5180234

 

[Matt Hough]

I watched it today, too. As it first revved up, I thought, "This isn't at all like The Letter," but the parallels to The Letter built and built as the film ran. Knowing how cynical so many post-World War II films were, I was expecting something of a downer ending (especially remembering how The Letter ends), but it was surprisingly optimistic.

 

[Robert Crawford]

This weekend's "Noir Alley" movie is "Death of a Cyclist" (1955). This will be my first viewing of this film noir from Spain so I'm looking forward to watching it and listening to Eddie's comments because he's talked about this movie in some of his "Ask Eddie" episodes.


Updated TCM's Noir Alley 2022/2023 Schedule:

04-02-22: Pitfall
04-09-22: Bob le flambeur
04-16-22: Night and the City
04-23-22: The Window
04-30-22: Johnny Angel
05-07-22: No Man of Her Own
05-14-22: The Killer is Loose
05-21-22: My Name is Julia Ross
05-28-22: Bad Day at Black Rock
06-04-22: Out of the Past
06-11-22: The Guilty
06-18-22: House of Strangers Thieves' Highway
06-25-22: Down Three Dark Streets
07-02-22: The Strange One
07-09-22: Hide Tide
07-16-22: Scarlet Street
07-23-22: 5 Against the House
07-30-22: Raw Deal
09-03-22: Hit and Run
09-10-22: Obsession
09-17-22: The Naked Street
09-24-22: I Love Trouble
10-01-22: The Red House
10-08-22: The Phenix City Story
10-15-22: The Argyle Secrets
10-22-22: Cage of Evil
10-29-22: El Vampiro Negro
11-05-22: City of Fear
11-12-22: Tension
11-19-22: The Unfaithful
11-26-22: Death of a Cyclist
12-03-22: Decoy
12-10-22: Walk Softly, Stranger
12-17-22: Mr. Soft Touch
01-07-23: Don't Bother to Knock
01-14-23: Thunder Road
01-21-23: The Two Mrs. Carrolls
01-28-23: Highway 301
02-04-23: Hangover Square
02-11-23: Kiss the Blood Off My Hands
02-18-23: Lightning Strikes Twice
02-25-23: Hunt the Man Down

 

[Matt Hough]

I reviewed that Criterion DVD that you pictured long, long ago (find the review here), but I don't think I've watched it again in all the years since. This broadcast will be a nice reunion.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I reviewed that Criterion DVD that you pictured long, long ago (find the review here), but I don't think I've watched it again in all the years since. This broadcast will be a nice reunion.

It was on TCM before too, but I never got around to watching it. It's probably been on the Criterion Channel too. Anyhow, I'll watch it this weekend. On a similar note, I've never watched "Reservoir Dogs" beforehand. Over many years, I've had a mental block to not watch this movie despite owning it on DVD twice, Blu-ray once and now 4K disc. There is a 4K disc controversy so I'm going to watch it on one of my OLED. Plus, since some people consider it neo-noir, it fits in nicely as part of the Noirvember Challenge we're having over in Movies.

 

[Walter Kittel]

On a similar note, I've never watched "Reservoir Dogs" beforehand. Over many years, I've had a mental block to not watch this movie despite owning it on DVD twice, Blu-ray once and now 4K disc. There is a 4K disc controversy so I'm going to watch it on one of my OLED. Plus, since some people consider it neo-noir, it fits in nicely as part of the Noirvember Challenge we're having over in Movies.

I am honestly surprised that you have never viewed Reservoir Dogs, especially considering your affinity for crime drama. Quite curious as to your reaction to Tarantino's first feature length directorial effort. As an aside, I am sure you will spot some similarities to other crime films such as Kansas City Confidential and (perhaps) The Killing.

- Walter.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I am honestly surprised that you have never viewed Reservoir Dogs, especially considering your affinity for crime drama. Quite curious as to your reaction to Tarantino's first feature length directorial effort. As an aside, I am sure you will spot some similarities to other crime films such as Kansas City Confidential and (perhaps) The Killing.

- Walter.

Yeah, I just got done watching the 4K disc. I think my mental block for not watching it beforehand is the violence and the language in the film. I'm not a big Tarantino fan. Some great dialogue in the movie, but damn can somebody bleed as much as Mr. Orange and still live that long?

 

[Walter Kittel]

but damn can somebody bleed as much as Mr. Orange and still live that long?

Well, the Black Knight could. Monty Python and the Holy Grail reference, just to be clear.

Thinking about Mr. Orange, Tarantino sort of revisited this type of injury / death in The Hateful Eight with Samuel L. Jackson and Walton Goggins at the film's finale.

- Walter.

 

[Robert Crawford]

By the way, I have never watched "Pulp Fiction" in its entirety from beginning to end. The same with "Grindhouse: Death Proof". The first Tarantino film I watched in its entirety was "Jackie Brown" then the "Kill Bill" movies and all his later films.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Well, the Black Knight could. Monty Python and the Holy Grail reference, just to be clear.

Thinking about Mr. Orange, Tarantino sort of revisited this type of injury / death in The Hateful Eight with Samuel L. Jackson and Walton Goggins at the film's finale.

- Walter.

Yeah, those guys bleed a blood bank in that movie.

 

[TravisR]

Yeah, I just got done watching the 4K disc. I think my mental block for not watching it beforehand is the violence and the language in the film. I'm not a big Tarantino fan. Some great dialogue in the movie, but damn can somebody bleed as much as Mr. Orange and still live that long?

It's never specified but I've always imagined that they're at the warehouse for under two hours or maybe only an hour. I'm no doctor but I think Orange could live that long.

I can't believe that I've spent thirty years laughing at the line in the movie when Nice Guy Eddie says (spoilerized for profanity)

Spoiler

"How would you feel if every time you had to take a piss, you had to do a fuckin' handstand?"

 

[bujaki]

Death of a Cyclist. Last viewed when I was in college. Several centuries ago. Stars the lovely Lucia Bose. It is an excellent film. Tie to revisit.