The Language of Noir (or, What’d he say?)
Snappy sayings, crackling comebacks, piercing putdowns, and devastating diatribes – film noir is lousy with ‘em. Among my many favorite aspects of these features are the unforgettable words and phrases...
View ArticleThe Great Villain Blogathon: Johnny Prince in Scarlet Street (1945)
Johnny Prince in Scarlet Street (1945) is not a nice guy. At best, he’s a self-centered clod who’s not exactly in the running for “Boyfriend of the Year.” At worst, he’s a dyed-in-the-wool villain....
View ArticleDay 10 of Noirvember: House of Strangers (1949)
Everybody knows about Out of the Past, Double Indemnity, The Postman Always Rings Twice, Laura. But for today’s celebration of Noirvember, I’m taking a closer look at a noir that you don’t hear a lot...
View ArticleDay 13 of Noirvember: Cop-Out on Noir Street
No – it’s not the name of a rare noir that you somehow overlooked. It’s that rare phenomenon – a film noir with an unsatisfying – dare we say, “cop-out” – ending. I can’t think of many noirs that fit...
View ArticleDay 23 of Noirvember: The Quiz – Who Said It?
For today’s celebration of Noirvember, I’m offering up a little quiz – test your skills and see if you can identify the actor or actress who uttered these lines, and the movie in which they were...
View ArticleGet Your Answers to the Noir Quiz Here!
Edward G. Robinson in The Woman in the Window (1941) Marlene Dietrich in Touch of Evil (1958) Humphrey Bogart in The Big Sleep (1946) Ann Savage in Detour (1945) Richard Widmark in The Street With No...
View ArticleDay 29 of Noirvember: My Favorite Noir
If you know anything about me at all, you know that Double Indemnity is my favorite film noir, without question or hesitation. It’s the film that, when I wasn’t quite a teen, introduced me to the world...
View ArticleDay 13 of Noirvember: From Page to Screen
Released in 1949 by 20th Century Fox, House of Strangers stars Edward G. Robinson as Gino Monetti, the patriarch of an Italian family and a bank owner known for his questionable practices. The film was...
View ArticlePre-Code Crazy: Two Seconds (1932)
Before I decided to choose Two Seconds (1932) for this month’s Pre-Code Crazy pick, I’d only seen the first five minutes of it – I’d never made it any further. Boy, was I a dope. This is a really good...
View ArticlePre-Code Crazy: The Little Giant (1933)
Edward G. Robinson? Mary Astor? It’s a “don’t miss” combo – and the reason why The Little Giant (1933) is my Pre-Code Crazy pick for the month of August. (My Pre-Code Crazy partner in crime, Kristina...
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TCM Pick of the Month: Pre-Code
I was so pleased to see that Five Star Final (1931) was airing on TCM as part of the network’s “Star of the Month” spotlight on Edward G. Robinson. I’ve had this film (on VHS) in my collection for many...
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TCM Summer Under the Stars: Day Twenty-Four — George Raft
Hard-boiled on screen and off. George Raft was the essence of the 1930s cinema gangster – calculating, ruthless, and always handy with a gat. Off-screen, he led a life that often mirrored his...
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YouTube Noir: Noirvember Day 16: Scarlet Street (1945)
Dan Duryea. Joan Bennett. Edward G. Robinson. Fritz Lang. Talk about a winning combination. They’re the principals who brought to life yet another one of my favorite noirs, Scarlet Street (1945). It’s...
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Day 19 of Noirvember: Chris Cross in Scarlet Street (1945)
Today’s Noirvember post shines the spotlight on Christopher Cross in Scarlet Street (1945). Chris is henpecked and browbeaten at home. WHAT’S SCARLET STREET ABOUT? Based on the novel and play La...
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Noirvember Day 10: Western Noir – The Violent Men (1955)
A couple of years ago, I discovered the “Western Noir” genre through a collection of movies airing on the Criterion Channel. According to author and historian Imogen Sara Smith, who introduced the...
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Noirvember Day 14: One Average Joe in Search of a Clue
One of the character types commonly seen in film noir is the everyman – the law-abiding Joe Average whose life is turned upside down by a sultry femme fatale. He’s the guy that you find yourself...
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Shadowy and Satiny Picks: What to Watch on TCM in March 2023
March is Oscar month – and my film noir and pre-Code recommendations this month both star Edward G. Robinson, who not only never won an Oscar, but was never even nominated! I hope you’ll take the time...
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Shadowy and Satiny: What to Watch on TCM in May 2023
There’s not likely, any time soon, to be a couple of back-to-back months of outstanding films like TCM aired in March and April of this year, but May is no slouch in the good-movie department. Check...
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