It has so many classic-scenes in it, I lose-count…
One of my favourites also.
Appointment With Crime… 1946… A small-time thug, William Hartnell, who was scapegoated-to-prison by Herbert Lom, gets released… Then gets caught-up in an unrelated murder-investigation while instigating a revenge-caper against the gang-who-sent-him-to-prison. -A fast-moving British noir, with plenty of ‘street lingo’ in the script… gobs, yobs, ‘yardies’, etc. Though Hartnell’s character survives, the ending is pure zensationalistic irony. -Worth a wink.
Dark Passage (Daves/47)
Dark Passage (1947) is the third film in the hugely successful Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall pairing, the previous two having been To Have and Have Not (1944) and The Big Sleep (1946), both directed by Howard Hawks. The real life couple would go on to make one more together, John Huston’s Key Largo (1948). This film noir entry was made by Delmer Daves, who is perhaps best known for his string of thoughtful Westerns made in the nineteen-fifties, including Broken Arrow (1950), The Last Wagon (1956) and the classic 3:10 to Yuma (1957). This film, however, is far from thoughtful: a thriller of the likes that only Warner Brothers Studios made, this is based on a previous years novel of the same name by David Goodis.
The story is thus: Vincent Parry (Bogart) escapes from San Quentin after being framed for the murder of his wife, and with the aid of Irene Jansen (Bacall), he sets out to the find the real killer, as well as having a face change to avoid the police.
On paper, it might sound fairly routine, but there are enough gimmicks and plot contrivances to keep it afloat: the first thirty-five minutes are mostly seen directly from Parry’s point of view (meaning you never see Parry’s face in the flesh, only through some newspaper photographs. You do see his new face which turns out to be Bogart’s), although we are spared the fate of multiple things thrown at the camera, as is wont when this trick is used. It just about comes off, thanks to great, agile photography by Sidney Hickox, shot on location in San Francisco that lends the movie a wonderful “open-air” quality.
Some of the plot twists are pretty improbable, if highly entertaining, and it is all whisked along at a breathless pace by director Daves. The two stars are great, and the supporting cast perform admirably, with Agnes Moorehead and Clifton Young particularly memorable.
It’s not a great movie, and it barely scraps by with a film noir label, but it is fun and enjoyable, which is a lot more than many movies ever achieve.
Dark Passage is okay, but the best thing about it is first person perspective at the start of the film.
1951; You Never Can Tell… one of the weirdest (but enjoyable) noirs I’ve ever seen.
A retired police-dog inherits millions from his lovable owner, but is mysteriously poisoned… The late-tycoon’s secretary, whom the dog adored, becomes the murder-suspect. The-voice-of-Dick Powell is the dog, who convinces the heavenly-gatekeeper to let him return to Earth and solve the murder. The real Powell returns as a private-investigator named, Rex Shepard (the dog was a german-shepard). It sounds ludicrous, but it works in the 50’s-style-of-making-plots-work. Assisting him is Joyce Holden, who used-to be a prize racehorse. The antics of the police-investigators insure the breezy storyline maintains a sinister-edge. Powell’s at his deadpan best, preferring to eat dog-snacks instead of human-food.
I just watched ”Cape Fear” a great film-Noir in Hitchcock style with Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum.
Mitchum plays a very creepy convict just released from prison. He is now terrorizing the Lawyer Peck and his family the reason being that it was Peck who got him convicted and sent to jail.
A top notch film-Noir 9/10.
I just watched ”The Big Combo” from 1955. Cronel Wilde stars as the hardboiled police lieutenant, Richard Conte is the mob boss and Jean Wallace is the femme fatale.
The film is very straight forward and lacks a really good story IMO, therefore I will only give it 7 out of ten stars.
I saw The Big Combo quite recently as well. Best bit is the silent machineguns for me, a scene which was very ahead of its time. Solid film overall.
I also watched The Prowler, which was a bit of a drag.
Gangster Story, 1959, directed-by and starring Walter Mathau… Superb no-nonsense crime-thriller. The bank-robbery in the beginning is so ingenious that it just might work in real-life. And the centerpiece Country-Club caper is wonderfully played-out. I love this film. And the jazzy, cocktail-lounge title-song; The Itch For Scratch may be the best noir song ever.
On your recommendation I shall be watching this one tomorrow.
I have watched it now and I also liked it. Not as much as you obviously did though and the reason is that I find it to be unconsciously funny throughout. I know that sounds strange especially because of the way the film ended, but it’s the feeling I get from watching the film.
I must say though that it’s a lot better than the 4,5 out of 10 stars it gets on IMDB.com
Just watched D.O.A. Very good…To me what Film Noirs are all about! I thought the soundtrack could have been better though…Thanks for the heads up Smokedown.
[quote=“Dorado, post:592, topic:1786”]I have watched it now and I also liked it. Not as much as you obviously did though and the reason is that I find it to be unconsciously funny throughout. I know that sounds strange especially because of the way the film ended, but it’s the feeling I get from watching the film.
I must say though that it’s a lot better than the 4,5 out of 10 stars it gets on IMDB.com[/quote]
It was probably an impromptu script… " When I say this, you say this… " et cetera. In the case of the 3 cops outside the bank, Mathau literally did tell them what to say. I had my ear open for memorable-quotes, but was satisfied with the crisp exchanges of dialogue. The trotting-race sequences are absolutely unique… as stereotypical thoroughbred action is utterly overused and boring. I’m glad you liked it.
Glad you enjoyed it. 
Interesting never knew Mathau had directed anything.
Watched Nightmare Alley and didnt care for it much. With few exceptions I prefer film noirs with Gangsters and/or detectives…
I was checking out the reviews of the different Detour DVDs available and theyre all bad… Is there a decent DVD out there? (any country)
Part of the “charm” of Detour is the terrible print - it really adds to the sleaze that wafts from the picture. I actually think the movie wouldn’t be as good as if it had a Criterion Collection standard release.
Ok. I know what you mean. I can think of quite a few movies I’ve seen remastered that I liked better after watching a 3rd generation VHS copy! 