Welcome to BlogHub: the Best in Veteran and Emerging Classic Movie Blogs
You can rate and share your favorite classic movie posts here.
36373839404142434445

Noir in 1947: The Unsuspected

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on Jul 3, 2011

A shot from the "pure noir" opening of The Unsuspected. The first 10 minutes of The Unsuspected are what I like to call “PN” – Pure Noir. (Actually, I just made that up.) First, there’s the suitably noirish score by Franz Waxman that introduces us to the opening credits. Just listening read more

Born to be Bad: Letty Strong

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on Jul 2, 2011

“Mal is what’s called a gentleman – a man with decent, proper instincts. And you’re an ill-bred little tramp. . . . Almost any woman can pick almost any man – your way, the cheap way – used by cheap women. But it won’t last. Men like Mal are after diamonds, not rhinestones.” – Born read more

Obscure Noir: Shield for Murder (1954)

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on Jun 29, 2011

“These cops are often tempted to break a lot of rules. They got too much gas on their stomach and too little money in their pockets.” — Shield for Murder The opening shot of Shield for Murder shows the film’s protagonist, Barney Nolan (Edmond O’Brien) walking purposefully down read more

From Script to Celluloid: Mildred Pierce (1945)

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on Jun 27, 2011

Countless film noir features were based on popular novels of the day, from The Postman Always Rings Twice to Nightmare Alley. One of the best was Mildred Pierce – novel by James Cain, film starring Oscar-winner Joan Crawford in the title role, supported by Zachary Scott, Ann Blyth, Jack Carson, Bruc read more

The Scariest Women in Film Noir

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on Jun 26, 2011

The women of film noir could be deceitful, disdainful, and imposing, not to mention steely, wily, callous, and relentless. But some, more than any other quality, were downright scary. Here are my picks for the scariest women in film noir. Laurie was never as happy as she when she was behind the barr read more

The Most Scandalous Women in Pre-Code: Part 1

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on Jun 26, 2011

One of the great things about Pre-Code is the women, who exhibit all sorts of shocking, outrageous, and scandalous behavior. The more I thought about the most scandalous women of the Pre-Code era, the more I was able to name – the list was practically endless. So, in the interest of time and read more

Things I Love About Out of the Past (1947)

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on Jun 25, 2011

Out of the Past has always been one of those features that I consider to be a near-perfect example of the film noir era. It has a lot to recommend it – the performances of Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, and Kirk Douglas (as well as the supporting cast), the memorable and oh-so-quotable dialogue, the read more

Famous Couples of Noir: Anna and Steve in Criss Cross (1949)

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on Jun 24, 2011

"When you Double-Cross a Double-Crosser...IT'S A CRISS-CROSS!" When I’m asked about my favorite films noirs, Criss Cross is always included in the list. One of the highlights is the relationship between two of the film’s central characters – Anna and Steve, played by Yvonne DeCarlo read more

Character Assassination: The Asphalt Jungle

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on Jun 23, 2011

In the Asphalt Jungle, diamonds are everybody's best friend. The Asphalt Jungle is one of noir’s classic caper films. It focuses on a brilliant jewel heist, planned by an aging crook and orchestrated by a motley crew of small-time hoods. Although the burglary goes off according to plan (for the read more

Quotes in Noir: Ace in the Hole (1951)

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on Jun 23, 2011

“I know newspapers backwards, forwards, and sideways. I can write ‘em, print ‘em, wrap ‘em, and sell ‘em. I can handle big news and little news. If there’s no news, I’ll go out and bite a dog.”  Kirk Douglas in Ace in the Hole (AKA The Big Carnival) (1 read more

Quotes in Noir: Kiss of Death (1947)

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on Jun 23, 2011

“We’re goin’ right on being pals, you and me. We’re gonna have some fun together. Lots of fun, just like we used to. You got a wife and kids, ain’t ya pal? They’re gonna have some fun, too. I’m gonna enjoy meetin’ your family. Kids like to have fun. We read more

Quotes in Pre-Code: Baby Face (1933)

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on Jun 23, 2011

“Yeah, I’m a tramp, and who’s to blame?  My father.   A swell start you gave me.  Ever since I was fourteen, what’s it been? Nothing but men!  Dirty, rotten men!  And you’re lower than any of them.  I’ll hate you as long as I live! ”  Barbara Stanwyck read more

Quotes in Pre-Code: Female (1933)

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on Jun 23, 2011

“ I know for some women, men are a household necessity.  Myself, I’d rather have a canary.”  Ruth Chatterton in Female (1933) Ruth Chatterton: "I'd rather have a canary." ~ by shadowsandsatin on June 23, 2011. Posted in The Language of Pre-Code Tags: chatterton, read more

Inside The Killing (1956)

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on Jun 23, 2011

For my money, The Killing (1956) is one of film noir’s best offerings. The characters, the dialogue, the inventive winding timeline, the use of light and shadows – all combine to create one of the era’s most watchable thrillers. For more on this great film, read on . . . Elisha Cook, Jr., and read more
36373839404142434445



error