I am researching Film Noir for a project that is coming up this fall. I have started by looking at the work of John Alton. But I am now looking to expand my viewing.
Anyone out there a Noir fan? Ian? Do you have a favorite I should watch. So far this week I have seen The Crooked Way, Bury Me Dead, He Walked By Night and The Big Combo. There are the obvious ones like Casablanca, Double Indemnity, Chinatown and Maltese Falcon that are on my list. I’m looking for a few more.
Thanks.
The Big Sleep (Howard Hawks) is certainly one. And you shouldn’t miss Orson Welles’ Touch of Evil (especially in those hotel room scenes).
Best,
George
Oh dear god, Lucas — yeah, I did a piece in last year’s Brick Summer Festival that was made up of quotes from almost 200 noirs (its where my default LJ picture of myself as “Noir Guy” comes from), so yeah, there’s a few. I’ve seen probably around 300 noirs and neo-noirs, and am about to go through another 50 or so on my Netflix queue that have come out since I did the show.
Alton, of course, is the great place to start as far as noir lighting goes, and Big Combo my favorite of his work. But T-Men and Raw Deal are almost as important.
Actually . . . I might as well just do a massive post in my own journal of my own lists of “important” noirs, broken down by categories. Easier, and something I might as well share with the world. It’ll be up soon.
wow. yeah. I’m a huge noir fan. Let’s see….. the only one i can think of right this second that you definitely should watch that you havent mentioned already is “Out of the Past” with Robert Mitchum. As I think about it more I’ll let you know. OH.. and “Laura.” One of my favorites.
What a great world for a lighting designer to live inside of. When you watch “Double Indemnity,” if you haven’t already, take particular notice of the way Billy Wilder manipulates light in his claustrophobic spaces where the sun begs to seep in through the blinds closed off to give way to the darkly noir world. Great stuff!
I second The Big Sleep. One of my favorite noirs. And if it is still playing in NY, I insist you go out and see Brick.
You should make a habit of screening these at wonderland. I would definitely welcome it.
I’m sure everyone will chime in the the great classics (you’re hitting a subject i can gush on for hours, here, so I’ll let other folks talk instead of writing you a novel). However, I have two non-classic suggestions for you.
Brick is still playing in theaters around here. I highly recommend it. It’s not a “classic” movie, but it stays true to every. single. aspect. of the genre.
I also recommend you rent Payback, the 1999 Mel Gibson film. It’s an unexpected noir movie, that again takes all of the moves, pacing, and gentle nudges that you want — nay demand! — from good noir.
Film Noir Style
Here are a few more: Ride the Pink Horse, The Killers (1946 version), Crossfire, The Naked City, The Long Goodbye (Altman’s modern day noir), and my all time favorite – Kiss Me Deadly.
MattJ here by the way…
I’m down for that. I’ll bring the films and DVD player if you can figure out schedule and projector. I would opt for Sunday nights. Shoot me an email and we can discuss further.
What is your email address?
I’m hanssens@alum.