Film Noir - LIST (1 Viewer)

[Multi-Region]

Re: "Payroll", aka "I Promised To Pay" (1961)

The day before yesterday, the on Febr. 11th 2008 released heist/neo-Noir PAYROLL (1961) DVD arrived (pre-order).
Great story with an outstanding and an irresistible femme-fatale (Françoise Prévost ), and an excellent transfer!
I have seen PAYROLL two times now. More details: LINK.

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A cut-version, though very recommended (if you like Rififi, The Killing and The Asphalt Jungle too)!

(The DVD has no extra's, nothing about the 15 mins deleted scene(s), no subs; 12 chapters).


1. PAYROLL -the homepage: link
2. The image on DVD-cover is probably a promoshoot, the scene is NOT in the movie; runtime DVD is 102 mins (4% PAL speed-up), the IMDB says UK 105 mins un-cut!
3. (No G. Tooze) screenshots + review: Link.

edit 2/17:
update runtime:
The BBFC gives a time of 117 mins 47 secs when it was submitted to them, but they say it was then cut before release but give no details of the cuts.

 

[Fabian Kusch]

Those looking for a better DVD transfer of Robert Siodmak's 1948 noir CRY OF THE CITY should buy this German set that was released in May of 2007:

Amazon.de: Hollywood Highlights 7 - Thriller (2 DVDs): DVD: Victor Mature,Richard Conte,Robert Stack,Robert Siodmak,Samuel Fuller

CRY (German title: "Schrei der Großstadt") has a sharp clean progressive PAL transfer that's obviously an improvement over the previous French, Spanish and British DVD editions. It has English and German languange tracks, no subs, and no significant bonus features apart from the theatrical trailer (and trailers for other films).
At a running time of 91:27 it seems to be the complete version of that film as well.

At this time you can only obtain it as a double feature with Samuel Fuller's HOUSE OF BAMBOO (german title: "Tokio-Story"), which is not necesarilly a bad thing.

Some screenshots:

Left to right: Ufa/Universum (Germany), BFI, Carlotta (France), Suevia (Spain)

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Hope, Gary is not mad at me for using some of his Beaver caps...

 

[jack phillips]

Why not just wait for the Criterion?

 

[Gary Tooze]

Hope, Gary is not mad at me for using some of his Beaver caps...

Actually Fabien, my captures were obtained after a lot of work, time (and cost) - I had to buy those three editions. I'd appreciate you not using them for your own purposes. No biggie - just saying.
But I do appreciate you informing us - if you'd like to send me your caps I can add them to the comparison - fully credit you - and it will reach a lot more people than this thread. But I may be buying it anyway.
Best,
Gary

 

[Fabian Kusch]

Full apologies to Gary!

I certainly had no intention of stealing your work and efforts. I just meant to illustrate the improvement of the German DVD transfer.
Won't do it again...

I certainly will do that!

 

[Multi-Region]

I think it's impossible for Criterion to restore all interesting Noirs.

I still look forward to a Criterion "Too Late For Tears" for instance.

Off-topic maybe, but in regards of HD-DVD losing the battle in favour of Blu-ray, when may we look forward to the first Blu-ray Criterion disc?

Talking about Blu-ray-discs, link to the first MULTI-REGION Blu-ray players: clic on the player images.

 

[Richard--W]

A Philip Marlowe festival. Nice 35mm prints:

Saturday Noir Matinees | The Cinefamily

 

[CineKarine]

The Beaver has review and screen caps of all 3 new Fox noirs here

 

[jack phillips]

I was talking specifically of "Cry of the City."

 

[Ockeghem]

Hello,

I'm not certain that the film I am looking for on DVD qualifies as film noir, but I thought I'd ask since the lead actor in the film has done some new wave and noir (e.g., Breathless and The Fingerman). Does anyone know if the film Peur sur la ville (called The Night Caller in the U.K.) is available on DVD? I am really looking for the French version (app. 125 min.). Thanks.

Okay, after a bit more looking, I did find that it exists on DVD. Now I need to see if I can obtain it somehow. The write-up mentions the music score, which for me is the primary reason I want to get the film.

Peur sur la ville (1975)

Addendum: Okay, the film is available at Amazon (France), and through sellers at Amazon.com.

 

[Richard--W]

Let us know your impression of the DVD, I've been thinking about buying it.

 

[Richard--W]

I'm very disappointed in the MGM DVD of ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW (1959). Turner Classic Movies has aired this Robert Wise noir at 1.85:1. Why then is the DVD full-screen?

 

[Gary Tooze]

Anthony Mann's Desperate...
If anyone is aware of another DVD edition of this film other than this Italian one I just reviewed HERE:
I’d be grateful to know.
Thanks,
Gary

 

[Fabian Kusch]

The only other edition I know is from Spain: Desperate (VERSIÓN ORIGINAL) - Comprar películas en dvd de Todo Clásicos

I've just recently watched the film from that DVD and I agree it's a must see and must have. I especially enjoyed every scene Raymond Burr was in. The striking finale and the scene when Burr's thugs beat up Brodie (swinging lamp and all) are knock-outs.

From my memory and judging by your screen caps the Spanish DVD had an equally bad image than the Italian one. I thought it was watchable on a tube, though. I will sit down and shoot some caps from my Spanish DVD tomorrow.

 

[Fabian Kusch]

Here are the caps from the Spanish DVD of DESPERATE.

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They're not much better. At least the terrible greenish tint is gone. The picture is zoomed in a little, though. Again, combing is visible all over the place. Contrast and sharpness is comparable to that of the Italian DVD.

I guess we'll have to wait for a better transfer until Warner picks this one up.

 

[Richard--W]

I'be been watching a DVD-R of DESPERATE recorded off Turner Clasic Movies a few years ago. Image quality is very nice. A seriously intense noir that is screaming for DVD release. Hopefully WHV will be able to include it in their next box-set. Or as an individual release.

Mann + noir = $.

 

[Gary Tooze]

Wow Fabian,
Thanks kindly - perhaps I should add those caps to the review.
I appreciate you posting them, regardless of their poor quality.
Cheers,
Gary

 

[Fabian Kusch]

Please do if you like.
You got a PM.

 

[Craig Beam]

Speaking of which.... are we not getting Volume 5 this year? Don't these sets usually come out around July?

 

[Gary Tooze]

Big thanks to Gregory and Irina for setting up the Noir listing page to include links to purchase every available DVD.
Film-Noir Listing and Review Links
It's a great resource for Noir fans... especially those with Region-Free capability...
Cheers,
Gary