Subject: Film Noir
Posted by: mpkitty
Date: Aug 08 15
One of my favorite genres - "dark movies", mostly from the 1940s and '50s.
One of the best is "D.O.A", (1950) starring Edmund O'Brien
Anyone else have one?
Posted by: mpkitty
Date: Aug 08 15
One of my favorite genres - "dark movies", mostly from the 1940s and '50s.
One of the best is "D.O.A", (1950) starring Edmund O'Brien
Anyone else have one?
181 replies. On page 5 of 10 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
terraorca 
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"The Streetcar Named Desire" is currently on TCM. 1951 Reply #81. Jan 02 19, 10:27 PM |
Memorycat65
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I've always depended on the kindness of strangers," that "wife-beater" tee, and "STELLA!" Love this movie. Back in the Dark Ages I took an absolutely wonderful undergraduate course (and still have the huge textbook to prove it) called "The Masters of Modern Drama." We studied "Streetcar" and that semester our drama department (headed by the guy who taught Mary Steenburgen in college) produced it for the college stage. It was wonderfully done, I must say. The movie version with Brando and Vivian Leigh though, remains the definitive production in my humble opinion. Got my 13 DVD set today and can hardly wait! Some of the treats I can hardly wait to break into include these gems: "Ace in the Hole" (a daylight noir) and Kirk Douglas really chews up the scenery in this one. It's a real precursor of the tabloid mentality so commonplace today. This film also stars Jan Sterling, Frank Cady, Ray Teal, and many other great character actors; "The Lost Weekend" with Ray Milland and Jane Wyman. I may be mistaken, but this film was the first to seriously address the social ill of alcoholism. Both of these films were also produced and directed by Billy Wilder. Man, that guy made some outstanding movies! The other film and (one I haven't previously viewed) is "The Blue Dahlia" (not to be confused with "The Black Dahlia." Blue Dahlia stars Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake. It sounds like a killer movie (pun intended) and I'll let you know if it's as good as it sounds. Have you seen any of these? All three are vintage 1940s flicks, which I really adore. What's your preference, 1940s or 1950s movies, or does it depend on the film? Anne Reply #82. Jan 03 19, 5:28 PM |
| terraorca
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I've seen "The Lost Weekend" and "Ace in the Hole," and yet can't remember much about either. I don't rule out or automatically love a movie just based on a time period. I enjoy movies, all types of movies, but not all movies. We had a definition of poetry that was a mantra of ours in poetry class this year. To be considered poetry, it must evoke emotion and it must show an economy of words.I enjoy movies that provoke an emotion from me, be it anger, pathos, fear, loathing, sadness, or joy, it must make me FEEL. The rest is just Hollywood. I hope that answers your question. Reply #83. Jan 04 19, 12:19 AM |
| terraorca
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Caught the last half of "Pat and Mike," with Spencer Tracy and Kathryn Hepburn, magic again. Reply #84. Jan 13 19, 11:18 PM |
| terraorca
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Next up on TCM is "Out of the Past" with Robert Mitchum. Reply #85. Jan 14 19, 10:35 PM |
| Memorycat65
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Oooh! "Out of the Past" - I'm excited. If you watch, please let me know what you think. I'm a huge Hepburn and Tracy fan, and "Pat and Mike" is one of their best. That classic line of Tracy's about Hepburn's figure - something like "A little skinny, but what's there is "cherce." Another one of theirs I adore is "Woman of the Year," and not so well known, a western called "Sea of Grass." Tracy plays an unrelenting and unforgiving rancher, circa the 1870s-1880s, who drives his wife (Hepburn) away. He keeps their child and doesn't realize until its too late that she has remained true and that he still loves her. The chemistry between those two is sizzling! I meant to post this weekend, but.....felt bad on Sunday. Woke up yesterday and didn't make it in to school: blood pressure was at 195 and blood sugar was at 40. I felt like I was on a very unfriendly planet, but am doing better today. Made it in to the doc today and she changed my blood pressure meds and I go in tomorrow for an A1C check. Here's wishing you a wonderful semester! Let all of us know about your classes, okay? If I'm up to it, I'll post again tomorrow, because I'd like to respond about our little discussion about watching movies from certain eras. I liked what you had to say and have some thoughts of my own. Take 'er easy! Anne Reply #86. Jan 15 19, 6:36 PM |
| terraorca
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"Out of the Past" reminded me somewhat of "The Postman Always Rings Twice." I know the plot is different by a mile, but they both start at a gas station. I enjoyed it, Eddie Muller introduced it. He said that this movie was the first movie that Robert Mitchum did as first billed. Robert Mitchum Jane Greer Kirk Douglas Rhonda Fleming and must not forget Dickie Moore as The Kid Reply #87. Jan 16 19, 12:32 AM |
| terraorca
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I hope you feel better Anne. I started back at school today. Reply #88. Jan 16 19, 12:34 AM |
| terraorca
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Just as a point of discussion, who is your favorite screen couple? They had the best chemistry, felt like a real couple while you watched, any era. If you can't narrow it down to just one, that's ok. Reply #89. Jan 16 19, 12:40 AM |
| Memorycat65
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Sorry that I suddenly dropped off the radar - I've been experiencing some computer difficulties; hopefully all is cleared up now. You posed an interesting question about film couples; and as much as I like Tracy and Hepburn, for me it's got to be Bogey and Becall. I know, they only made four films together, but what films they were: "To Have and Have Not,"(Do you know how to whistle, Steve?) "The Big Sleep,"(A hopelessly murky plot, but oh, what chemistry!) "Dark Passage," and my favorite, "Key Largo." They are, of course, black and white, (except Dark Passage) but they are all beautiful films, atmospheric of time and place, have great supporting casts, and as you noted earlier, have the capacity to make the viewer "FEEL." You are right in that Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn most closely resemble a "real life couple" warts and all, but with the films of Bogey and Becall, there is a feeling of mystery - we only get to see the "build-up" of their relationship in each film, and these movies leave us with the question, "How do their lives together work out?" The makers of these films leaves that up to us, the viewer. We can make of that what we will, and I find that satisfying. I really liked and appreciated your "mantra" from poetry class; it reminded me of how I feel about art. And, when you get right down to it, movies ARE another type of art form. In my previous post, I did not mean to imply that I only like films from the 1940s or 1950s. I DO love them, but (and this is the historian in me speaking), this era of film-making was especially good at telling a universal story and at the same time, sharing the "flavor" of the era, as well as displaying the underlying tensions and anxieties of the age in which it was made. Look at a movie we've discussed before: "Bad Day at Black Rock." Here is a seemingly straightforward tale of good vs. evil in a small Western town, but underneath (and rightly so), it exposes the collective sense of guilt about race bigotry and what we did to the Japanese in WWII. Another example would be "Lost Weekend" with Ray Milland. (1945) Alcohol abuse and social drinking was that era's unspoken evil - and this film ripped the lid off that topic and got it out in the open. Another 50s film that comes to mind is "The Snake Pit" about mental health care of that era. The 1950s also woke movie-goers to the issue of race, i.e. "Pinky," political corruption (All the King's Men,"), and "12 Angry Men", (individual responsibility and the legal system) and on it goes. Years ago, PBS ran a summer series called "The Toy that Grew Up," all about the development of the movie industry. For the most part, pre-1930 films, were made to entertain, but not so much for making audiences think. For me, movie-making (for good and for bad) came of age in the 1940s and 1950s, and it was the movies of this era that allowed for the truly ground-breaking films of the 1960s to the present to be made. A "chicken or the egg" kind of question comes to mind: did film-making of this era produce social change, or did social unrest and anxiety of the age allow these films to make it to the screen? Probably a little of both. I'm still having a bit of a problem with my blood pressure - my new medication is a little too strong, but over all, I'm doing better. Let all of us know how your classes are going. I'm particularly interested in your philosophy class develops. Take care, and hope to hear from you soon. Anne Reply #90. Jan 19 19, 3:52 AM |
| terraorca
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"You just put your lips together and blow." Reply #91. Jan 19 19, 11:21 PM |
| terraorca
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We're currently reading "The Republic" by Plato. You cover a lot of ground in your posts, but I do enjoy them. Screen Couples: lets start with the basics, Bogey and Bacall, Bogey and Bergman, Myrna Loy and Fredric March from "The Best Years of our Lives" Grace Kelly and Jimmy Stewart from "Rear Window" I enjoy Humphrey Bogart as a romantic lead, because he doesn't look like a romantic lead, yet he does exude something. I enjoy Lauren Bacall as the romantic lead, because she has the total package for me, looks, carriage, voice, and self-confidence, without the arrogance of Virginia Mayo or Ava Gardner. I know some of the movies I mentioned stretch the envelope of Film Noir, but I am flexible in my assessments. Reply #92. Jan 19 19, 11:40 PM |
| terraorca
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We are currently experiencing near blizzard conditions here. Stay safe all. Reply #93. Jan 19 19, 11:41 PM |
| Memorycat65
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Wow - I guess I just kind of assumed by you asking about film "couples," that you meant actors/actresses that made more than one film together. Hm, I'll put my fabled "thinking cap" on and come up with some additional thoughts. Hope you and yours are doing okay after the big storm. Parts of Arkansas to our immediate West got some of the white stuff, but all we got was freeze-butt cold, which is fine with me. I'm off today for MLK Day, but go back tomorrow. A movie question for you: have you ever seen the Spencer Tracy/Frederic March 1960 film "Inherit the Wind?" It's based on the 1925 Scopes "Monkey Trial" in Dayton, Tennessee, and if I had to rank it, it would come in my top five pick every time. Lots of great stars and bit players, too: Dick York, Claude Akins, Harry Morgan, and Gene Kelly. The subject matter is fascinating and it captures the mindset of fundamentalist small town America to a "T." Another religion-based (and very fine film) is "Elmer Gantry" with Burt Lancaster. If you've seen them, I'd be curious to hear your take. Have a good week, and I'll come up with some more thoughts on movie "couples." Anne Reply #94. Jan 21 19, 6:48 AM |
| terraorca
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Hopefully we'll be gaining some new posters here on this thread. There has been some interest in Noir on some other threads, so stay tuned. Reply #95. Jan 23 19, 10:23 PM |
| terraorca
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Yes, I've seen "Inherit the Wind," and as a bonus, we studied it in History class last year. The movie was based on a real life case that occurred less than 100 years ago. Reply #96. Jan 23 19, 10:28 PM |
| Memorycat65
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So glad to hear we might get some "new blood" on this chat! It's around 6:00 p.m. here, and I just got home. After I've had some supper and pay some bills, I'll get back on and get back to that "couples" question. Later....... Anne Reply #97. Jan 25 19, 5:30 PM |
| Memorycat65
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Turned out to be a little later than I thought! Movie couples? How about the following? Bogey and Mary Astor: "The Maltese Falcon"(I'm going to send you up, schweetheart") Bogey and Lizbeth Scott : "Dead Reckoning" You already mentioned: Bogey/Ingrid Bergman: "Casablanca" Bogey/Audrey Hepburn: "Sabrina" (I know, the age difference was too big and the two stars didn't care for each other, but the movie is such a joy to watch!) Bogey/Katherine Hepburn: "The African Queen"("Oh Mr. Allnut, I never dreamed an experience could be so exhilarating!") Cary Grant/Ingrid Bergman: "Notorious" (Super film!) Cary Grant/Audrey Hepburn: "Charade" (I wanted to grow up to be Audrey and wear her beautiful clothes! Memorable film, for a lot of reasons, but it introduced James Coburn as a psycho who corners Audrey in a phone booth and drops lit matches on her) Cary Grant/Eva Maria Saint: "North by Northwest" (I NEVER get tired of watching this movie) That crop-duster scene! Cary Grant/Grace Kelly: "To Catch a Thief" (Romance and intrigue on the Riviera) Cary Grant/Deborah Kerr: "An Affair to Remember" Cary Grant/Sophia Loren: "Houseboat" (What sizzle!) Cary Grant/Myrna Loy: "Penny Serenade" (What a weeper, but still great!) Glenn Ford/Gloria Grahame: "The Big Heat"(aided and abetted by a crazed Lee Marvin and lots of scalding coffee) Glenn Ford/Rita Hayworth: "Gilda" (Wow!) Glenn Ford: Gloria Grahame: "Human Desire" (The high price of lust will get you in trouble) John Wayne/Maureen O'Hara: "The Quiet Man" and "McClintock" (What chemistry!) Burt Lancaster/Deborah Kerr: "From Here to Eternity" (The sand, the tide - pure passion!) Burt Lancaster/Shirley Booth: "Come Back, Little Sheba" Jimmy Stewart/Grace Kelly: "Rear Window" (One of my "top 5" picks Jimmy Stewart/Kim Novak": "Vertigo" Jimmy Stewart/Kim Novak": "Bell, Book, and Candle" Charles Laughton/Elsa Lancaster: "Witness for the Prosecution" (Top-notch mystery and this real-life couple are priceless!) Tyrone Power/Marlene Dietrich:"Witness for the Prosecution" What a pair! Agatha Christie gives this couple a great plot line) Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers:"Flying Down to Rio" and many more dance movies Robert Mitchum:Deborah Kerr: "Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison" (Offbeat but simply wonderful movie set in WWII) Gregory Peck/Ingrid Bergman: "Spellbound" (Love the Salvador Dali dream sequence.) Some of these films we've talked about, but many we haven't - any thoughts? Anne Reply #98. Jan 26 19, 7:19 AM |
| terraorca
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I never really bought the whole Deborah Kerr as a nun, I kept seeing her laying on a beach. Reply #99. Jan 26 19, 11:56 AM |
| Memorycat65
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Funny! It's still a great film though - just the right amount of comedy and drama. I loved the scene where they're in the boat fishing and the turtle drags Mitchum overboard - his expression is simply marvelous! The tension is palpable when Kerr becomes ill, and Mitchum sneaks into the Japanese supply hut to steal supplies. I can never get it straight when TCM's Eddie Muller is on, is it Friday or Saturday night? What's on the noir menu this week? Anne Reply #100. Jan 26 19, 12:17 PM |
181 replies. On page 5 of 10 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
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