
Abandoned (1949)
Ace in the Hole (1951)
Act of Violence (1948)
After Dark, My Sweet (1990)
Alias Nick Beal (1949)
All the King's Men (1949)
Allotment Wives (1945)
The Amazing Mr. X (1948)
Angel Face (1952)
Angel's Flight (1965)
Apology for Murder (1945)
Appointment with Danger (1951)
Armored Car Robbery (1950)
Ascenseur pour l’echafaud (Elevator to the Gallows 1958)
The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
see also John Huston Part 2: The Asphalt Jungle
The Aura (2005)
Backfire (1950)
Bad Blonde (1953)
Bad Timing (1980)
The Bank Job (2008)
Backfire (1950)
Bad Blonde (1953)
Bad Timing (1980)
The Bank Job (2008)
Beware, My Lovely (1952)
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956)
The Big Clock (1948)
The Big Combo (1955)
The Big Heat (1953)
The Big Sleep (1946)
The Big Steal (1949)
Big Town (1947)
Bitter Rice (1949)
Black Angel (1946)
Black Tuesday (1954)
Blast of Silence (1961)
The Big Clock (1948)
The Big Combo (1955)
The Big Heat (1953)
The Big Sleep (1946)
The Big Steal (1949)
Big Town (1947)
Bitter Rice (1949)
Black Angel (1946)
Black Tuesday (1954)
Blast of Silence (1961)
Blonde Ice (1948)
Blood Simple (1984)
Bluebeard (1944)
The Blue Lamp (1950)
The Blue Dahlia (1946)
A Blueprint for Murder (1953)
Bob le flambeur (1956)
Body and Soul (1947)
Body Heat (1980)
Bodyguard (1948)
Border Incident (1949)
Born to Kill (1947)
see also Born to Kill (1947)
Brainstorm (1965)
Blood Simple (1984)
Bluebeard (1944)
The Blue Lamp (1950)
The Blue Dahlia (1946)
A Blueprint for Murder (1953)
Bob le flambeur (1956)
Body and Soul (1947)
Body Heat (1980)
Bodyguard (1948)
Border Incident (1949)
Born to Kill (1947)
see also Born to Kill (1947)
Brainstorm (1965)
Broken Embraces (2009) aka Los abrazos rotos
The Brothers Rico (1957)
Brute Force (1947)
Bunco Squad (1950)
Burglar (1957)
Caged (1950)
see also Caged (1950)
Cape Fear (1962)
Canon City (1948)
Carnival of Souls (1962)
Cast a Dark Shadow (1955)
Cat People (1942)
Cell 2455, Death Row (1955)
Champion (1949)
The Chase (1946)
Chicago Calling (1951)
Chicago Deadline (1949)
Chinatown (1974)
Chinatown at Midnight (1949)
Christmas Holiday (1944)
City That Never Sleeps (1953)
Clash by Night (1952)
Classe tous risques (AKA The Big Risk, 1960)
The Clay Pigeon (1949)
The Clouded Yellow (1950)
Conflict (1945)
Cop (1988)
Brute Force (1947)
Bunco Squad (1950)
Burglar (1957)
Caged (1950)
see also Caged (1950)
Cape Fear (1962)
Canon City (1948)
Carnival of Souls (1962)
Cast a Dark Shadow (1955)
Cat People (1942)
Cell 2455, Death Row (1955)
Champion (1949)
The Chase (1946)
Chicago Calling (1951)
Chicago Deadline (1949)
Chinatown (1974)
Chinatown at Midnight (1949)
Christmas Holiday (1944)
City That Never Sleeps (1953)
Clash by Night (1952)
Classe tous risques (AKA The Big Risk, 1960)
The Clay Pigeon (1949)
The Clouded Yellow (1950)
Conflict (1945)
Cop (1988)
Cornered (1945)
Count the Hours (1953)
Crashout (1955)
Crime of Passion (1957)
Crime Wave (1954)
see also Crime Wave (1954)
The Crimson Kimono (1959)
The Crooked Way (1949)
Criss Cross (1949)
see also Criss Cross (1949)
Crossfire (1947)
Croupier (1998)
Count the Hours (1953)
Crashout (1955)
Crime of Passion (1957)
Crime Wave (1954)
see also Crime Wave (1954)
The Crimson Kimono (1959)
The Crooked Way (1949)
Criss Cross (1949)
see also Criss Cross (1949)
Crossfire (1947)
Croupier (1998)
The Damned Don't Cry (1950)
Dancing With Crime (1947)
The Dark Corner (1946)
Dark Passage (1947)
Deadline at Dawn (1946)
Dead Reckoning (1947)
Decoy (1946)
Desert Fury (1947)
Desperate (1947)
Destination Murder (1950)
Detective Story (1951)
Detour (1945)
Deux hommes dans Manhattan (1959)
The Devil Thumbs a Ride (1947)
Devil's Doorway (1950)
Dancing With Crime (1947)
The Dark Corner (1946)
Dark Passage (1947)
Deadline at Dawn (1946)
Dead Reckoning (1947)
Decoy (1946)
Desert Fury (1947)
Desperate (1947)
Destination Murder (1950)
Detective Story (1951)
Detour (1945)
Deux hommes dans Manhattan (1959)
The Devil Thumbs a Ride (1947)
Devil's Doorway (1950)
The Devil's Mask (1946)
Dial 1119 (1950)
Double Indemnity (1944)
A Double Life (1947)
Le Doulos (1962)
Drive (2011)
Drive a Crooked Road (1954)
Edge of Doom (1950)
Edge of Fury (1958)
Edge of the City (1957)
Elevator to the Gallows (1958)
Escape from Crime (1942)
Fallen Angel (1945)
see also Fallen Angel (1945)
Fat City (1972)
Fear (1946)
Fear in the Night (1947)
52 Pick-Up (1986)
The File on Thelma Jordon (1950)
First Snow (2006)
Follow Me Quietly (1949)
Following (1998)
For You I Die (1947)
Force of Evil (1948)
Dial 1119 (1950)
Double Indemnity (1944)
A Double Life (1947)
Le Doulos (1962)
Drive (2011)
Drive a Crooked Road (1954)
Edge of Doom (1950)
Edge of Fury (1958)
Edge of the City (1957)
Elevator to the Gallows (1958)
Escape from Crime (1942)
Fallen Angel (1945)
see also Fallen Angel (1945)
Fat City (1972)
Fear (1946)
Fear in the Night (1947)
52 Pick-Up (1986)
The File on Thelma Jordon (1950)
First Snow (2006)
Follow Me Quietly (1949)
Following (1998)
For You I Die (1947)
Force of Evil (1948)
The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)
The Gangster (1947)
Gilda (1946)
The Girl on the Late, Late Show (1974)
The Glass Key (1942)
The Gangster (1947)
Gilda (1946)
The Girl on the Late, Late Show (1974)
The Glass Key (1942)
The Glass Wall (1953)
The Great Flamarion (1945)
The Guilty (1947)
Guilty Bystander (1950)
Gun Crazy (1950)
Gunman in the Streets (1950)
Hangover Square (1945)
Hatter's Castle (1942)
The Great Flamarion (1945)
The Guilty (1947)
Guilty Bystander (1950)
Gun Crazy (1950)
Gunman in the Streets (1950)
Hangover Square (1945)
Hatter's Castle (1942)
Heat Wave (1954)
Heatwave (1982)
Hell is a City (1960)
He Ran All the Way (1951)
He Walked By Night (1948)
The Hidden Room (1949)
Heatwave (1982)
Hell is a City (1960)
He Ran All the Way (1951)
He Walked By Night (1948)
The Hidden Room (1949)
High Sierra (1941)
High Wall (1947)
Highway 301 (1950)
His Kind of Woman (1951)
The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
The Hoodlum (1951)
Hot Cars (1956)
The Hot Spot (1990)
House by the River (1950)
House of Bamboo (1955)
Human Desire (1954)
High Wall (1947)
Highway 301 (1950)
His Kind of Woman (1951)
The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
The Hoodlum (1951)
Hot Cars (1956)
The Hot Spot (1990)
House by the River (1950)
House of Bamboo (1955)
Human Desire (1954)
I Confess (1953)
Illegal Entry (1949)
Impact (1949)
In a Lonely Place (1950)
In Cold Blood (1967)
The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Impact (1949)
In a Lonely Place (1950)
In Cold Blood (1967)
The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
It Always Rains on Sunday (1947)
Jackie Brown (1997)
Jeopardy (1953)
Le Jour se Lève (1939)
Journey Into Fear (1943)
Kansas City Confidential (1952)
Jackie Brown (1997)
Jeopardy (1953)
Le Jour se Lève (1939)
Journey Into Fear (1943)
Kansas City Confidential (1952)
The Killer is Loose (1956) see also The Killer is Loose (1956)
The Killer That Stalked New York (1950)
The Killers (1946)
The Killing (1956)
Kiss of Death (1947)
Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950)
The Lady from Shanghai (1948)
The Lady Gambles (1949)
The Killers (1946)
The Killing (1956)
Kiss of Death (1947)
Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950)
The Lady from Shanghai (1948)
The Lady Gambles (1949)
The Lady in the Lake (1947)
The Last Seduction (1994)
Laura (1944)
see also Laura (1944)
The Letter (1940)
The Limping Man (1953)
The Lineup (1958)
The Locket (1946)
The Long Memory (1952)
The Long Night (1947)
The Long Wait (1954)
Look in Any Window (1961)
The Last Seduction (1994)
Laura (1944)
see also Laura (1944)
The Letter (1940)
The Limping Man (1953)
The Lineup (1958)
The Locket (1946)
The Long Memory (1952)
The Long Night (1947)
The Long Wait (1954)
Look in Any Window (1961)
Loophole (1954)
The Lost Weekend (1945)
The Lusty Men (1952)
M (1951)
Macao (1952)
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
see also John Huston Great Film Noir Director
The Man I Love (1947)
The Man Who Cheated Himself (1950)
The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
The Man with My Face (1951)
Manhandled (1949)
Mildred Pierce (1945)
Ministry of Fear (1944)
Mirage (1965)
Missing Women (1951)
Mona Lisa (1986)
Money Madness (1948)
Money Movers (1978)
Moonrise (1948)
The Lost Weekend (1945)
The Lusty Men (1952)
M (1951)
Macao (1952)
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
see also John Huston Great Film Noir Director
The Man I Love (1947)
The Man Who Cheated Himself (1950)
The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
The Man with My Face (1951)
Manhandled (1949)
Mildred Pierce (1945)
Ministry of Fear (1944)
Mirage (1965)
Missing Women (1951)
Mona Lisa (1986)
Money Madness (1948)
Money Movers (1978)
Moonrise (1948)
The Mysterious Mr. Valentine (1946)
Mystery Street (1950)
Naked Alibi (1954)
The Naked City (1948)
The Narrow Margin (1952)
Mystery Street (1950)
Naked Alibi (1954)
The Naked City (1948)
The Narrow Margin (1952)
see also The Night of the Hunter (1955)
Night Moves (1975)
Nightfall (1957)
Nightmare (1956)
Nightmare Alley (1947)
Night Train (1999)
1984 (1956)
99 River Street (1953)
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Night Moves (1975)
Nightfall (1957)
Nightmare (1956)
Nightmare Alley (1947)
Night Train (1999)
1984 (1956)
99 River Street (1953)
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Notorious (1946)
Odd Man Out (1947)
Odds Against Tomorrow (1959)
see also Odds Against Tomorrow (1959)
On Dangerous Ground (1952)
Our Man in Havana (1959)
Out of the Past (1947)
see also Out of the Past (1947)
see also Odds Against Tomorrow (1959)
On Dangerous Ground (1952)
Our Man in Havana (1959)
Out of the Past (1947)
see also Out of the Past (1947)
The Outfit (1973)
Panic in the Streets (1950)
The Paris Express (1952)
The People Against O'Hara (1951)
Phantom Lady (1944)
The Phenix City Story (1955)
Pickup (1951)
Pickup on South Street (1953)
Pitfall (1948)
A Place in the Sun (1950)
Please Murder Me (1956)
Plunder Road (1957)
Point Blank (1967)
Port of New York (1949)
Possessed (1947)
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
Panic in the Streets (1950)
The Paris Express (1952)
The People Against O'Hara (1951)
Phantom Lady (1944)
The Phenix City Story (1955)
Pickup (1951)
Pickup on South Street (1953)
Pitfall (1948)
A Place in the Sun (1950)
Please Murder Me (1956)
Plunder Road (1957)
Point Blank (1967)
Port of New York (1949)
Possessed (1947)
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
The Pretender (1947)
Private Hell 36 (1954)
The Prowler (1951)
The Public Eye (1992)
Pushover (1954)
Quicksand (1950)
see also Quicksand (1950)
The Racket (1951)
Raw Deal (1948)
The Reckless Moment (1949)
Red Light (1949)
Red Lights (aka Feux rouges 2004)
Repeat Performance (1947)
The Reward (1965)
Ride the Pink Horse (1947)
Riffraff (1947)
Rififi (1955)
Right Hand of the Devil (1963)
Roadblock (1951)
Road House (1948)
Rogue Cop (1954)
Rolling Thunder (1977)
Romeo Is Bleeding (1993)
Le Samouraï (1967)
The Scar (Hollow Triumph) (1948)
Scandal Sheet (1952)
Scarlet Street (1945)
Séance on a Wet Afternoon (1964)
Secret Beyond the Door (1947)
The Set-Up (1949)
Private Hell 36 (1954)
The Prowler (1951)
The Public Eye (1992)
Pushover (1954)
Quicksand (1950)
see also Quicksand (1950)
The Racket (1951)
Raw Deal (1948)
The Reckless Moment (1949)
Red Light (1949)
Red Lights (aka Feux rouges 2004)
Repeat Performance (1947)
The Reward (1965)
Ride the Pink Horse (1947)
Riffraff (1947)
Rififi (1955)
Right Hand of the Devil (1963)
Roadblock (1951)
Road House (1948)
Rogue Cop (1954)
Rolling Thunder (1977)
Romeo Is Bleeding (1993)
Le Samouraï (1967)
The Scar (Hollow Triumph) (1948)
Scandal Sheet (1952)
Scarlet Street (1945)
Séance on a Wet Afternoon (1964)
Secret Beyond the Door (1947)
The Set-Up (1949)
711 Ocean Drive (1950)
The Seventh Victim (1943)
Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
The Shanghai Gesture (1941)
Shed No Tears (1948)
Shield for Murder (1954)
Shock (1946)
Side Street (1950)
Sirocco (1951)
The Seventh Victim (1943)
Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
The Shanghai Gesture (1941)
Shed No Tears (1948)
Shield for Murder (1954)
Shock (1946)
Side Street (1950)
Sirocco (1951)
Slander (1957)
Slattery's Hurricane (1949)
Small Town Murder Songs (2010)
The Sniper (1952)
Somewhere in the Night (1946)
So Evil My Love (1948)
Sorry, Wrong Number (1948)
Split Second (1953)
The Square (2008)
Station West (1948)
The Steel Trap (1952)
Stolen Face (1952)
Strange Alibi (1941)
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946)
The Strange Woman (1946)
Slattery's Hurricane (1949)
Small Town Murder Songs (2010)
The Sniper (1952)
Somewhere in the Night (1946)
So Evil My Love (1948)
Sorry, Wrong Number (1948)
Split Second (1953)
The Square (2008)
Station West (1948)
The Steel Trap (1952)
Stolen Face (1952)
Strange Alibi (1941)
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946)
The Strange Woman (1946)
Stray Dog (aka Nora inu, 1949)
Street of Chance (1942)
Street with No Name (1948)
The Strip (1951)
Sudden Fear (1952)
Sunset Blvd (1950)
Suspense (1946)
Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
T-Men (1947)
Take One False Step (1949)
The Tattooed Stranger (1950)
The Temp (1993)
The Tender Hook (AKA Boxer and the Bombshell 2008)
Tension (1950)
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933)
They Drive By Night (1940)
They Live by Night (1949)
see also They Live by Night (1949)
They Made Me a Fugitive (1947)
They Won't Believe Me (1947)
Thieves' Highway (1949)
The Third Man (1949)
Street of Chance (1942)
Street with No Name (1948)
The Strip (1951)
Sudden Fear (1952)
Sunset Blvd (1950)
Suspense (1946)
Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
T-Men (1947)
Take One False Step (1949)
The Tattooed Stranger (1950)
The Temp (1993)
The Tender Hook (AKA Boxer and the Bombshell 2008)
Tension (1950)
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933)
They Drive By Night (1940)
They Live by Night (1949)
see also They Live by Night (1949)
They Made Me a Fugitive (1947)
They Won't Believe Me (1947)
Thieves' Highway (1949)
The Third Man (1949)
Time Table (1956)
Tread Softly Stranger (1958)
Le Trou (1960)
Try And Get Me! (1950)
Two of a Kind (1951)
Under the Gun (1950)
The Unguarded Moment (1956)
The Unholy Wife (1957)
Union Station (1950)
Le Trou (1960)
Try And Get Me! (1950)
Two of a Kind (1951)
Under the Gun (1950)
The Unguarded Moment (1956)
The Unholy Wife (1957)
Union Station (1950)
The Unknown (1946)
The Unsuspected (1947)
The Verdict (1946)
The Velvet Touch (1948)
Vertigo (1958)
Violent Saturday (1955)
Wanted for Murder (1946)
The Web (1947)
The Well (1951)
When Strangers Marry (1944)
Where Danger Lives (1950)
When the Clock Strikes (1961)
Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950)
While the City Sleeps (1956)
The Whip Hand (1951)
Whirlpool (1949)
The Whistler (1944)
Wicked Woman (1953)
The Wild Party (1956)
Without Warning! (1952)
The Woman Chaser (1999)
The Woman in the Window (1944)
The Woman on the Beach (1947)
Woman on the Run (1950)
A Woman's Devotion (1956)
World for Ransom (1954)
The Unsuspected (1947)
The Verdict (1946)
The Velvet Touch (1948)
Vertigo (1958)
Violent Saturday (1955)
Wanted for Murder (1946)
The Web (1947)
The Well (1951)
When Strangers Marry (1944)
Where Danger Lives (1950)
When the Clock Strikes (1961)
Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950)
While the City Sleeps (1956)
The Whip Hand (1951)
Whirlpool (1949)
The Whistler (1944)
Wicked Woman (1953)
The Wild Party (1956)
Without Warning! (1952)
The Woman Chaser (1999)
The Woman in the Window (1944)
The Woman on the Beach (1947)
Woman on the Run (1950)
A Woman's Devotion (1956)
World for Ransom (1954)
I was really happy to see that the films "Hangover Square" and the "The Lodger" (Both starring actor Laird Cregar) will be released on dvd along with a B film titled "The Undying Monster" on October 09, 2007.Film Noir fan watch out for it!
ReplyDeleteAny chance you can note which films are available on DVD? I spent a lot of time searching for titles without much success.
ReplyDeletethere's a link above to see what films are available on DVD. Many are not, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I strong suggest you add "SECONDS" with Rock Hudson. It is definitely film noir. Produced by John Frankenheimer, who also gave us "THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE," starring Frank Sinatra. Back to "SECONDS". This is not a Rock Hudson/Doris Day lover movie. Storyline concerns a businessman (John Randolph) who is dissatisfied with his life. Via a friend (Murray Hamilton) he is directed to a strange company that changes people's lives. So John Randolph is turned into Rock Hudson in a gruesome-looking operation. Then he meets none other than an old man who runs the company played by Will Geer! Yes! Grampa Walton. :) So now the new John Randolph has a new life in Rock Hudson's body. As far as his wife is concerned, he died. SO now he does what he THINKS he always wanted to do. And so he is a painter and he meets a slick chick (Salome Jens). Then he meets a group of people at a party. It turns out they are all "seconds". Rock decides this life is not for him. It was not what he thought it would be. So back to the company and Grampa Walton who says, "These things happen. Sign this form, please." And immediately he is put on a gurney and taken to an operating room. Ya gotta see the movie to see what happens next. So, be careful what you wish for.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great site and many thanks for it. Was wondering have you ever seen The Scarlet Hour directed by Michael Curtiz 1956?
I've been searching for it years and no sign of even bootleg copies out there. I'm a big fan of James Gregory who starred in it. Let me know if you if you have come across it. Cheers buddy.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI've just stumbled across your amazing site. I have recently become a film noir fan, as a result from a detective fiction course at my university. Anyhow, I've added the site onto my blogroll- hope you don't mind!
I can't believe you haven't reviewed "I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang". Why?
ReplyDeleteLast thursday, I saw a very old film noir (from 1936 actually) starring E.G Robinson and Humphrey Bogart. The movie is called "Bullets or ballots", directed by William Keighley. Have you heard about it? Very amazing: Robinson was the "good" and Boggie the "bad".
ReplyDeleteLast thing: I saw it in a theater in France. It was a special event organised by a club in my city...
The film is available at Amazon.com.
DeleteHey, not sure if you've followed his career, but Joseph Gordon-Levitt has made a couple of fantastic noir flicks - "The Lookout" and "Brick."
ReplyDeleteAlso, surprised you don't have LA Confidential, Se7en or Usual Suspects up there. LA Confidential is probably my favorite noir flick since Chinatown.
Great site, though.
Hey Steve-O, I love this blog...i started to get into noir films recently. I have all the "best" (or just more popular) noir films like Maltese Falcon, Touch of Evil, The Big Sleep..but i didn't really enjoy them..the only big famous i like is Double Indemnity...can you recommend more? it doesn't have to be famous but just good..(if you have time..) thanx
ReplyDeletep.s- is D.O.A worth watching? it sounds interesting...thanx
Hi Steve,
ReplyDeleteGreat site. I am looking for a movie. About a young married couple in Stalin's Russia. In the end, the wife hangs herself. Wow. Cannot think of the title. Any ideas?
When will you review Orson Welles' Touch of Evil?
ReplyDeletehi people,
ReplyDeletei am looking for 2 NOIRS:
THE LONG WAIT
DANGEROUS TO KNOW
pavuti@gmail.com
thanks
tim, is it possible that your masterlist could include the number of stars you give to each film? or is there a list arranged by stars or rating like "The Best of the Noirs"?
ReplyDeleteth you much.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteone of the best sites on film noir and movies in general on the net!
Congratz with episode 300 :-)
Please continue this marvelous work.
I just saw "I Wake Up Screaming" in the midst of watching dozens of noirs. It's really a very good film, and perhaps the most glaring omission on your list. Hope you review it as soon as possible. Should it be deemed the first fully realized film noir -- in the sense that just about the whole template for the style is established with this film? (I haven't seen "Stranger on the Third Floor" or "The Green Cockatoo") Sure, films like "Fury" and "You Only Live Once" established precedents -- but this is the earliest movie I've seen where I thought, "This is definitely a film noir -- and so many of the classic films seem to follow it." (I think the commentary track on the DVD makes a strong case for this). Maybe just for this one movie H. Bruce Humberstone should be regarded in the pantheon of great directors? As Orson Welles told Bogdanovich, "All you need is one."
ReplyDeleteHere is an excerpt of something I posted at Roger Ebert's site... I had an experience of frisson last night while watching William Wyler's "The Letter" with Bette Davis. I felt that shudder I get when I realize that I am in the hands of a master filmmaker (witness the set pieces with their beautiful camerawork!). I think "The Letter" is an underherralded gem, which reminds me of von Sternberg's films, especially in its sense of atmosphere. It also seems to point to what Sirk did later in the '50's. And James Stephenson was wonderful as Davis' attorney. I'm finding the term "film noir" to be getting a little annoying (and overapplied to sometimes any film that has something dark about it). But "The Letter" strikes me as being one of the first obvious noirs, which was released the year before "I Wake Up Screaming" (a great film too) and "The Maltese Falcon." Andrew Sarris and Quentin Tarantino have both been somewhat dismissive of Wyler. In an interview by Roger, Tarantino seemed to put him with some other filmmakers on a level below Joseph Mankiewicz. Actually, I saw "The Letter" after viewing three of Mankiewicz's films, and the only one that I found as powerful as "The Letter" was "Letter to Three Wives." Great site you have here in NOTW! Keep on keeping on!!
ReplyDeleteI dont see "Dr. Petiot" on the list. The poetic style of the film is right up the noir alley.
ReplyDeleteSynopsis
1942, during the German occupation of France. Dr Marcel Petiot appears to be a model citizen, a man who is dedicated to helping others, caring for the sick and giving free consultations to his less well-off patients. But there is a darker side to Dr Petiot. He offers to help Jewish families escape the Nazis, but he merely takes them to their death in a macabre ritual so that he can steal their money...
Great site, Steve. I can tell you put a lot of work into it and it shows. Regarding your film of the week, "To Live and Die in L.A," I interviewed Gerald Petievich for my master's thesis. He wrote the novel of the same name as well as the screenplay. Friedkin got a co-writing credit. Petievich was formerly a treasury agent and came from a family of cops. In the interview, Petievich spoke at length about the fine line between cops and criminals and how cops cross the line all the time (out of necessity) to nab their quarry. Petievich also wrote "Money Men," which focused on the same theme (made as "Boiling Point" by James B. Harris). I interviewed Harris, too, and he was miffed that Warner execs had watered down Petievich's book, changed the title, and insisted on casting Snipes opposite Dennis Hopper. Petievich's voice and perspective permeate "To Live and Die in L.A." and his influence should not be overlooked nor diminished. Harris' "Cop," starring Jimmy Woods, is a good example of what he could do on a spartan budget ($5MM) without interference from the Suits.
ReplyDeleteTo acknowledge this most engaging and informative blog. Am looking forward to your reviews on 'Carl Colpaert's 'Delusion' and on Carl Franklin's 'Devil in a Blue Dress.'
ReplyDeleteI just saw "99 River Street" and was blown away. Unfortunately it does not appear to be out on DVD else I'd purchase it immediately.
ReplyDeleteTwo strong noirs directed by the great Henry Hathaway you should include are "Call Northside 777" and "The House on 92nd Street."
ReplyDeleteI dont see "Dr. Petiot" on the list. The poetic style of the film is right up the noir alley.
ReplyDelete"Witness to Murder" (1954) - This must be listed by all means.
ReplyDeleteThe endings of "Vertigo" and "North by Northwest" and a plot of "Rear Window" owe something to this film. Great performance by Barbara Stanwyck and George Sanders.
Saw "The Stickup" starring James Sapder recently on cable TV. A great little heist flick, lots of twists. The jazzy and sultry music score lend a strong noir flavor, as does the snappy dialog. Worthy of a longer review on this site.
ReplyDeleteVery good blog. I also have a new blog about film noir, if you're interested.
ReplyDeletehttp://genrenoir.blogspot.com/
but is in french...
hi this is a nice work, why you not update your blog anymore?
ReplyDeletesteve-o, just a note that the link to the amazon store doesn't work--just goes to 'build an a-store'. incredible site, keep up the good work.
ReplyDeletesteve:
ReplyDeleteI love this site. And have recommended/provided the link, to others.
only one element on my mind: why no love for the #1 film noir on my all-time personal list? The title being, THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL, 1939
if you've viewed it, is contains all the fine elements does it not? :)
I just saw Michael Curtiz's "King Creole" with Elvis and liked it quite a lot. I think it has so much film noir style, and the b/w cinematography by Russell Harlan is some of the most striking I've ever seen. Just watch the opening and you'll be hooked immediately. It's pure cinema magic -- set in the French Quarter. The director is Curtiz after all, the director of "Mildred Pierce, "Casablanca" and "Mystery of the Wax Museum" and scores of other classics, noir and otherwise. I read at AllRovi that James Dean was originally to be in the lead role. I really was surprised by how good this film is (yes, I have picked up on that common biased expectation that Elvis movies are cheesy, but this one is great). True, the script and dialogue get a little hokey, but again the atmosphere is positively rapturous. And there are a lot of great scenes of Elvis singing, especially when he does "Evil" in Walter Matthau's club (the same song he opened his '68 comeback special with).
ReplyDeleteReally love your site. I am a film noir addict, but have only seen a small handful of the films you have mentioned; great motivation looking at your reviews to make me watch more! Mnay thanks!
ReplyDeleteI don't see the link for the films available on DVD. Specifically, what's it named? Yours is the first site I view Monday mornings. Thanks.
ReplyDelete"My Name Is Julia Ross" !!!
ReplyDeleteDELICIOUS site. Googled Pickup On South Street and ended up here. Glad you can see, as I do, that Pickup is one of the greatest film noirs ever. Now, I will be able to find many more great dark classics through your site. Awesome. BTW Have you ever compiled a top 20 list or something like that? Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI had just commented about "Night and the City" being Dassin's final "Screw you!" to Hollywood then thought of 'Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia' as a starker statement of the same sentiment. I know I do but, would you consider 'Bring Me the Head..' as noir, and would you also consider reviewing it in the future if you do?
ReplyDeleteSteve, I enjoy Noir films be they new or old. I suggest the following films for possible inclusion in your list:
ReplyDeleteMan Hunt (1941)
Mirage (1965)
Count 5 and Die (1957)
U Turn (1997)
Red Rock West (1993)
Derailed (2005)
Third Degree Burn (1989) VHS
Malice (1993)
Mulholland Falls (1996)
Respectfully submitted
trobaughca@aol.com