Binging on 40s/50s Film-Noir ...

[Auggie]

while I still have a subscription streaming TCM.

I won't be surprised if/when the new owners of TCM screw it all up -- it's what new owners usually do. In the meantime, a tip of the hat is due to Time/Warner for resurrecting so many smaller films that otherwise would have been forgotten.

Mid 40's to 50s Film-Noir is more fun IMO: studios were pushing the productions into grittier looks and themes. Some of my favs I've seen recently:

The Killers (1946), with Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Edmund O'Brien.

Out of the Past (1947), with Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, and Kirk Douglas.

Crossfire (1947), with Robert Mitchum, Robert Ryan, Robert Young, and Gloria Graham.

The Set-Up (1949), with Robert Ryan (directed by Robert Wise).

The Night of the Hunter (1955), with Robert Mitchum.

The Wrong Man (1956), with Henry Fonda and Vera Miles (directed by Alfred Hitchcock).

Partial list -- more to come (some repeat viewings, others for the first time like Gilda, Gun Crazy, Touch of Evil, The Big Sleep, Sunset Boulevard).

What are your favorites?

[Jeebo]

1. Double Indemnity

I think Double Indemnity is the best film-noir of all time, and also one of the best movies ever of any genre. Edward G. Robinson is particularly memorable, I think it's the best performance of his career. And there's one scene that I'll never forget. It's the scene when Fred McMurray's character and the daughter of the man he murdered are talking in the hills above the Hollywood Bowl. She is spilling her guts to him about her suspicions regarding her stepmother's (Barbara Stanwyck) involvement in his murder and, earlier, her mother's death, unaware that the man she is spilling her guts to is the man who actually murdered her father, while the orchestra below is playing Schubert's beautiful Unfinished symphony. Wow, what a powerful scene. The film score by Miklos Rozsa is incredible. I've seen that movie umpteen times and I'll never get tired of it.

-- Ron

[Auggie]

7. Yep ...

just saw that again. It had been ages. A great one.

[appalachiablue]

2. How are you subscribing to stream TCM? Tx in advance.

[Auggie]

8. YouTubeTV

It's not cheap. But it comes with MSNBC as well. And live sports.

On edit: YouTubeTV includes a TCM feature where you can stream recently aired films on demand. There's about 50 to 75 at any given time. It's how I'm binging, along with using the DVR feature.

I'll suspend the subscription (about $61) for a month until the Oscars.

[appalachiablue]

11. TY, super. I've got into FN more recently on the MovieTV Channel

that I can pick up w/o cable and from TCM some years back.

Cape Fear- Mitchum and De Niro versions may be in the FN realm.

[Auggie]

14. Cape Fear ...

haven't seen it in years. But it's Film-Noir. Worth seeing again.

[brush]

3. I'm a big fan too of film noir. I like your list of favs. I've seen some and will find the ones...

on your list that I haven't seen.

You didn't include "The Maltese Falcon." To me it seems to have all the elements of film noir...the dramatic light/shadow effects, a femme fatale, a hard-boiled protagonist, themes of ambiguity and violent death.

What about "Casablanca?" Is it noir or a precursor? The film's lighting certainly seems to qualify, but the "Elsa" character is not quite a femme fatale. The "Major Strasser" character I guess could qualify but he's certainly not female. "Rick's" character certainly has the hard-boided, moral ambiguity of noir protagonists.

What do you think?

[Auggie]

9. Didn't include Matese Falcon because I'v already seen it dozens of times

I own the DVD and have a copy on my phone!

Check out Stranger on the Third Floor (1940) if you can. It's often considered to be the first of the Film-Noir genre. Peter Lorre is the best well-known star albeit in a creepy, supporting role. Well worth it.

On edit: Seems to be a consensus Casablanca can be considered Film-Noir. I didn't include it because even though I've seen it dozens of times I haven't seen it recently. Like the Maltese Falcon, I practically know it verbatim.

[NBachers]

4. Surprisingly, I've found YouTube to be an excellent source of little-seen noir films.

Start with Double Jeopardy or Undertow, and take it from there. No, not Double Indemnity, Double Jeopardy.

Last weekend, I saw Race Street, 1948, with George Raft, William Bendix, and a supporting role from Harry Morgan. You'll find Harry in several of these noir films.

[Auggie]

10. Thanks for the tip

Last edited Thu Feb 24, 2022, 06:03 PM - Edit history (1)

I'll put these on my watch list.

[jalan48]

5. Film noir fan also

The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) with John Garfield and Lana Turner.

[Auggie]

12. Yep. Watched it this morning!

[Baked Potato]

6. Pushover-- Fred MacMurray, Kim Novak (on YouTube)

Kansas City Confidential—John Payne (YouTube)

The House On Telegraph Hill—Richard Basehart (YouTube)

The Prowler—Van Heflin (YouTube)

Whirlpool—Gene Tierney, Richard Conte (YouTube)

[Auggie]

13. Thanks -- added to watch list

[Baked Potato]

15. YW, thanks for the OP.