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Charlatan · 11-30-2009, 04:39 PM

I am definitely a fan of the classics from Hollywood but also from around the world. While I enjoy many films from that time, I'd have to say my favourite sub-genre is Film Noir (it's a sub-genre because, while it is mostly known for crime films, it crosses more then genre -- westerns and drama).

What I've always found interesting was the movement of the visual style, if not the content, of these films as it moved from German expressionist films in the 20s and 30s (M, Metropolis, The Last Laugh) into France in the 30s (Quai des Brume, Le Jour se Leve) into the US in the 40s (the whole cannon of films noir). In some ways it shows the movement of certain creative influences as they escaped from Nazi Germany, into France and then to the US.

Aside from the films above check out:

Stranger on the Third Floor (1940) Peter Lorre's first US film, it isn't a full blown film noir but has many of the hallmarks including a wicked dream sequence.
The Phantom Lady (1944) A gem of a film. Features Elisha Cook Jr., an actor who specialized in playing 'the loser', in a scene where he drums with a band that makes him look like a madman on crack.
Panic in the Streets (1950) A public health official must race against time to stop a group of hoods who have killed a man with pneumonic plague. The killers will spread the plague if they aren't caught in time. A young Jack Palance is the head killer.
Sudden Fear (1952) Speaking of Jack Palance... this is a great film about an actor that decides to get his revenge on a famous playwright (Joan Crawford!) that doesn't cast him in a play. It is ripe for a remake.
The Big Knife (1955) OK, let's make it a Jack Palance triple header... this is a great example of drama that is a film noir. An actor that sold out his art for monetary success tries to escape the nasty Hollywood studio system.
Mildred Pierce (1945) Melodrama meets film noir meets Joan Crawford (also a cool song by Sonic Youth... but I digress).

There are a ton (a ton!) of these films to be seen, and not all of them start Jack Palance and Joan Crawford.

11-30-2009, 04:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	I am definitely a fan of the classics from Hollywood but also from around the world. While I enjoy many films from that time, I'd have to say my favourite sub-genre is Film Noir (it's a sub-genre because, while it is mostly known for crime films, it crosses more then genre -- westerns and drama). What I've always found interesting was the movement of the visual style, if not the content, of these films as it moved from German expressionist films in the 20s and 30s (M, Metropolis, The Last Laugh) into France in the 30s (Quai des Brume, Le Jour se Leve) into the US in the 40s (the whole cannon of films noir). In some ways it shows the movement of certain creative influences as they escaped from Nazi Germany, into France and then to the US. Aside from the films above check out: Stranger on the Third Floor (1940) Peter Lorre's first US film, it isn't a full blown film noir but has many of the hallmarks including a wicked dream sequence. The Phantom Lady (1944) A gem of a film. Features Elisha Cook Jr., an actor who specialized in playing 'the loser', in a scene where he drums with a band that makes him look like a madman on crack. Panic in the Streets (1950) A public health official must race against time to stop a group of hoods who have killed a man with pneumonic plague. The killers will spread the plague if they aren't caught in time. A young Jack Palance is the head killer. Sudden Fear (1952) Speaking of Jack Palance... this is a great film about an actor that decides to get his revenge on a famous playwright (Joan Crawford!) that doesn't cast him in a play. It is ripe for a remake. The Big Knife (1955) OK, let's make it a Jack Palance triple header... this is a great example of drama that is a film noir. An actor that sold out his art for monetary success tries to escape the nasty Hollywood studio system. Mildred Pierce (1945) Melodrama meets film noir meets Joan Crawford (also a cool song by Sonic Youth... but I digress). There are a ton (a ton!) of these films to be seen, and not all of them start Jack Palance and Joan Crawford. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke