I’ve been on a bit of a film noir kick. I’m attracted to films that feature a good plot, interesting camera work, and dark subject matter. These ten films are among the best that I’ve recently seen, listed here in no particular order; I’ve tried to provide as many trailers as possible.
Gun Crazy
A story of two drifting souls getting together, falling in love, and falling into criminal activity. Bart Tare (John Dall) and Annie Laurie Starr (Peggy Cummings) are the doomed lovers who share a passion for sharpshooting—and once together, form a terrific criminal do. Does this plot sound familiar? Film buffs have often debated how much of this film—obviously inspired by Bonnie and Clyde—was “borrowed” by director Arthur Penn for his famous 1967 film, Bonnie and Clyde, as a number of scenes in that highly recommended film seem to be copies of scenes from Gun Crazy. Penn claimed never to have seen Gun Crazy until after he made his film. Is he telling the truth? You decide…
Killer’s Kiss
This short film, from 1955, was director Stanley Kubrick‘s first major motion picture; it documents Davy Gordon, a washed-up boxer (played by Jamie Smith), who becomes involved with Irene Kane (played by Gloria Price), a taxi dancer who lives across the way from him. He witnesses her boss beating her, and he comes to her rescue, and subsequently falls in love with her. What happens next is typical Kubrick; watch it to find out!
The Killing
Stanley Kubrick’s second major motion picture, this 1956 film is an exciting look at a gang of thieves working together to pull off “the perfect crime.” They nearly get away with it, too—except for some damned bad luck. As a filmmaker, Kubrick is coming into his own as a cinematographer, and thought the story is standard noir/crime flick fare, his work with angles and camera direction and narration make it a different sort of noir.
Leave Her to Heaven
A rare film noir in color, this 1945 film is a dark, haunting psychologically thriller starring Gene Tierney as Ellen Harland, a mentally disturbed young woman who falls in love with Richard Harland, played by Cornel Wilde. He falls for her in a major way, and they quickly marry—and then odd things start to happen. A beautifully shot, disturbing film that will leave you at the edge of your seat.
The Street With No Name
A 1948 film starring Mark Stevens and Richard Widmark, this tale is about an undercover FBI agent infiltrating the mob during a vicious and bloody crime wave. Richard Widmark is Alec Stiles, a vicious mob boss, who is working hard with his equally vicious new sidekick, George Manly, who is really Gene Cordell, ace FBI agent. A wonderful film with plenty of action and excitement.
I Wake Up Screaming
In this 1941 film, Carole Landis is Vicky Lynn, an up-and-coming actress who is found murdered. Her manager, Frankie (Victor Mature), is accused of the crime by hard-nosed Inspector Cornell (portrayed by doomed actor Laird Cregar). Her sister Jill (Betty Grable), thinks otherwise, and Frankie, who knows he is innocent, sets out to find the real killer.
Kansas City Confidential
In this 1952 film, four men—including a retired police officer—plan and successfully execute a bank heist. Unfortunately, Joe Rolfe (John Payne) is falsely accused of the crime. While out on bail, he sets out to prove that he was not involved, and to find the real criminals. This is a gritty, hard detective film, made even better by the fine acting jobs of Lee Van Cleef, Jack Elam,and Neville Brand.
Double Indemnity
This 1944 film noir is considered one of the masterpieces of the genre, and rightly so. Directed by Billy Wilder, and with a screenplay by Raymond Chandler, Double Indemnity features a stellar cast, and was justifiably nominated for seven Academy Awards. Fred MacMurray plays Walter Neff, a hard working yet not entirely scrupulous insurance salesman. When he knocks on the door to Phyllis Dietrchson’s house, innocent flirting turns into a criminal activity, as the shady Mrs. Dietrichson (portrayed wonderfully by Barbara Stanwyck) conspires to off her husband, in order to collect on the insurance company’s “double indemnity” policy. The duo execute their plan, and all looks set for Phyllis to cash in. Insurance detective Burton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson), however, isn’t too sure that all is as it seems.
The Lodger
The Lodger, from 1944, is a different sort of noir, in that it is based on a historical event and real characters, and was set in the Nineteenth Century. Based upon the story of Jack the Ripper, this film was Laird Cregar‘s final production released in his lifetime—he died shortly after its release, at the young age of 31, as a result of trying to quickly lose weight for his final role, the posthumously-released Hangover Square. A fine film, with Cregar bringing a certain type of menace to the mysterious Lodger figure.
Baby Face
Okay, so this short from 1951 is from The Jack Benny Show, and stars Benny and Humphrey Bogart. This is a riotous parody of the film noir genre, and is a great laugh. Enjoy!