CLASSIC NOIR
Two of the finest films of the genre.
SCARLET STREET 1945
Watch out for the double cross in Fritz Lang’s film noir classic Scarlet Street starring crime cinema’s crown prince Edward G. Robinson and the infectiously alluring Joan Bennett as the feisty femme fatale. Cashier and part-time starving artist Christopher Cross is absolutely smitten with the beautiful Kitty March. Kitty plays along, but she’s really only interested in Johnny, a two-bit crook. When Kitty and Johnny find out that art dealers are interested in Chris’s work, they con him into letting Kitty take credit for the paintings. Cross allows it because he is in love with Kitty, but his love will only let her get away with so much. A razor-sharp thriller with an abundance of artistic flourishes, plus wit and wisecracks, Scarlet Street is among Fritz Lang’s most entertaining masterpieces. (Vidiots)
Sunday, November 15
Director: Fritz Lang
Starring: Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett, Dan Duryea
Runtime: 103 min., USA
Language: English
THE BIG SLEEP 1946
In this classic film noir, the wealthy Sternwood family hires venerable private eye Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) to find out who is blackmailing their youngest daughter. Marlowe is confronted with myriad obstacles, threatening characters, and a hopelessly convoluted mystery, courtesy of Raymond Chandler. In real life, Bogart was divorcing his third wife to be free to marry Lauren Bacall; the mutual attraction and physical tension were apparent on set, and are plainly captured on screen. An American classic, The Big Sleep was added to the National Film Registry in 1997. (MoMA)
Sunday, November 22
Director: Howard Hawks
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall,
John Ridgely
Runtime: 114 min., USA
Language: English