1940's/early 50's and Film Noir recomendations

[5t3IIa]

i must admit, i still get this confused...so probably have a few Noir that aren't strictly Noir.

i'm like that with music genres too though. my brain doesn't function properly when it comes to classifying stuff.

i know the Noir feel though, or vibe if you like. <throws up on self>

Poor foo

 

[Strumpet]

the may be old, they made be great, but they're hardly noir!

No but they're 1940's and 1950's films which is also what the OP wanted.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

you want to beguile men and lead them into a life of duplicity and death??!!

I thought that was what she did already

 

[foo]

Detour - some poor slob makes a single mistake, which sends him down a dangerous path; there's also a foxy femme fatale fond of her fags; death; drunkenness; etc.

what more could you want from a film?

 

[belboid]

No but they're 1940's and 1950's films which is also what the OP wanted.

oh, so s/he did

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

I recently watched the The Lost Weekend, which reminded me how much I like films made in the 1940's and early 1950's.

What are some other classic films from this decade and especially Film Noir? Though not war films, as these where of course prolific at this time, though perhaps those which are indirectly related to the war and it's direct aftermath?

And since the Black & White movie days can any film properly be called a Film Noir, is it a genre in it's own right or a product of a specific period of time/production method?

Oh, since it can be anything, can I lob in The Incredible Shrinking Man.

One of the best scifi films of all time IMO, very underrated.

 

[belboid]

And since the Black & White movie days can any film properly be called a Film Noir, is it a genre in it's own right or a product of a specific period of time/production method?

it isn't really a genre all of its own, as such, it is a style that encompasses varoius genres (tho mainly the PI or police procedural) with techniques, figures and tropes of its own. There can still be good noirs made, but, with the exception of the brilliant The Last Seduction, there aren't.

 

[belboid]

what more could you want from a film?

satanists

 

[foo]

oh yeh, and zombies.

Noir Zombies.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

it isn't really a genre all of its own, as such, it is a style that encompasses varoius genres (tho mainly the PI or police procedural) with techniques, figures and tropes of its own. There can still be good noirs made, but, with the exception of the brilliant The Last Seduction, there aren't.

Am I wrong in claiming LA Confidential to be a good modern version of the genre then?

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

http://bernardschopen.tripod.com/confident.html

Interesting

 

[belboid]

Am I wrong in claiming LA Confidential to be a good modern version of the genre then?

hmmm, I may have to let you have that....

Chinatown, Friends of Eddy Coyle, the Long Goodbye, Devil in a Blue Dress, Brick & The Grifters are all pretty decent modern noirs.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

I loved brick, it must be said.

What about Simple Men? I watched that a while back, but I seem to recall it having quite a similar feel to Brick.

 

[DaveCinzano]

The Last Seduction is the neo-noir which most fulfills foo's requirements for smokin' hot dames with dark souls, I reckon.

Whilst Chinatown is the better film, its sequel The Two Jakes does have both Meg Tilly and Madeleine Stowe lighting up constantly (and a stocking-and-suspender spanking scene).

Then there's Bound a lipstick lesbian neo-noir; the Coen Brothers' Blood Simple; Last Seduction director John Dahl's Red Rock West (rural neo-noir); Dennis Hopper's The Hot Spot is a sort of sun-bleached neo-noir (with Virginia Madsen and Jennifer Connelly sharing elements of the femme fatale role).

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Nah, simple men wasn't really similar was it.

 

[belboid]

the Coen Brothers' Blood Simple

if we're talking about the Coens, Fargo has to get a mention, if only for being the finest ever Film Blanc.

 

[DaveCinzano]

The Coen Bros-scripted, Sam Raimi-directed Crimewave is an enjoyable noir pastiche, too. Very cartoonish.

 

[Spandex]

Double Indemnity

This is a contender for my favourite film ever. Raymond Chandler written screenplay, Billy Wilder directing. Edward G Robinson totally owns the film, even though he's got a relatively small role. He should be better know than he is. I don't think I've seen him in a bad role.

Key Largo

And this has Edward G Robinson and Humphry Bogart. How could it not be brilliant?

 

[DaveCinzano]

And talking of Raimi, and films blancs, his A Simple Plan is worth a punt. Bill Paxton pans out most impressively as an ordinary Joe out of his depth. Could have done with being more depressing though.

 

[belboid]

This is a contender for my favourite film ever. Raymond Chandler written screenplay, Billy Wilder directing. Edward G Robinson totally owns the film, even though he's got a relatively small role. He should be better know than he is. I don't think I've seen him in a bad role.

you obviously havent seen The 10 Commandments then! ouch

 

[Spandex]

you obviously havent seen The 10 Commandments then! ouch

No, I haven't. Does he stink?

I do have a soft spot for cheesy 50s epics...

 

[belboid]

he's an idolatrous beast!

 

[Spandex]

he's an idolatrous beast!

Sounds like a role he was made for

 

[Bajie]

I probably was not too clear in my orginal post as I was bit of a gibbering wreck yesterday, but Film Noir recomendations particulary or any very good films from that period of time which are not about WWII (as they are a whole genre in themselves).

Some great recomendations on this thread though and quite suprised that I have found torrents for most of them.

 

[belboid]

if you want other great films of the period, just go trough a list of al the Powell & Pressburgers. Contraband and The Small Back Room are sometimes described as noirs, tho I wouldn't say they were. both are a little bit WWIIish, but not really, they're certainly not 'war movies'.

 

[Spandex]

any very good films from that period of time which are not about WWII

If you're just looking for good films from the 40s then I recommend Brief Encounter.

I only watched it recently as I'd always assumed it'd be boring - no action, guns, violence or baddies, just some stiff upper-lipped middle class english types and their romantic woes. Even knowing Noel Coward wrote it didn't make me watch it.

How wrong I was. It's an awsome film: well made, written, directed, acted. Everything about it just works. I might have to watch it again soon

 

[belboid]

went to see Kneehigh Theatres production of Brief Encounter last month, fucking great it was.

Always call in at Carnforth Station when we're on our way back from the Lakes as well

 

[Bajie]

Stray Dog and especially the superb High and Low are well worth considering, if you fancy a Kurosawa take on the genre.

Just watched Stray Dog, that is probably one of the best Film Noir's I have seen.

On the version of High and Low that I obtained though there was a american narrator droning on over the whole film which I am sure is interesting if have already seen the film and for extra information but makes in unwatchable. I will need to get a copy from somewhere else as that looks very good too.

 

[stereotypical]

Double Indemnity
Postman Always Rings Twice (original)

Both these are as noir as you get really.

 

[Mrs Magpie]

Yield to the Night, that's a good 'un.