View Full Version : Gunny's 50 Greatest Film Noirs
Film noirs are one of my 3 favorite movie genres along with Westerns and war films. I never get tired watching the old great classics. So I decided to do a thoughtful list of 50 that I consider the greatest of all-time. I picked mainly from true classical era film noir that is basically 1940 through 1959. No neo-noir on this list.
This list was extremely difficult to compile. I started this a month ago and have finally come up with an order I think does the genre justice and ones I highly recommend to everyone if you're a fan of the style.
I also realize that the term "film noir" is very broad for some people and the definition is different from one person to the next. So these selections are just those that I consider film noirs from the classical era. I'm sure there's some films that I don't consider film noirs but you do that I would include in my top 50 if I considered it as one. At the end of the list I will list about 50 honorable mentions.
Hope you enjoy.
#50
The Stranger On the Third Floor (1940)
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Director - Boris Ingster
Cast - Peter Lorre, John McGuire and Margaret Tallichet
This is commonly considered the first "true" film noir, although there were some before it that contained many film noir elements.
John McGuire plays Mike Ward, a witness in a murder case. His girlfriend Jane (Margaret Tallichet) thinks maybe the young man is innocent. Mike begins to wonder if he was correct in what he saw and his decision.
Suddenly he is arrested for a similar murder and Jane goes out and try and find the real killer who commited both homocides. Peter Lorre plays the mysterious Stranger.
This movie is highly enjoyable and a good one to introduce you to the film noir genre. I could make a case for this to be a little higher on the list but I finally settled it in at the #50 spot.
The dream sequences in that flick make it worth watching. That and Peter Lorre's eyes.
#49
The Hitchhiker (1953)
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Director - Ida Lupino
Cast - Edmond O'Brien, Frank Lovejoy and William Talman
The Hitchhiker was directed by Ida Lupino, which was rare for a woman to direct a film noir. She was one of the first. The film is loosely based on a true story.
It features 2 friends, Roy and Gilbert (O'Brien and Lovejoy) who pick up a hitchhiker (Emmett Myers) on their way on a trip. Little do they know the man is a murderer.
The film is extremely suspenseful and does a good job at making you feel how terrified the 2 men must have felt. O'Brien and Lovejoy give good performances while Myers is believable as a psychotic killer.
The dream sequences in that flick make it worth watching. That and Peter Lorre's eyes.
Affirmative. The dream sequence was very good. And I really liked Peter Lorre in this.
#48
The Lady From Shanghai (1947)
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Director - Orson Welles
Cast - Rita Hayworth, Orson Welles, Everett Sloane, Glenn Anders
Michael O'Hara (Orson Welles) falls for Elsa (Rita Hayworth) and agrees to work on her and her husband's (Everett Sloane) yacht. Once on board Michael is thrown into a complex and twisted murder plot.
This is a fun movie that moves along nicely. There's no shortage of twists and turns and the acting is extremely solid. Don't walk away or you'll miss something. This film is one of Welles' best and Hayworth is just simply stunning as always and delivers a very nice performance.
#47
Detective Story (1951)
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Director - William Wyler
Cast - Kirk Douglas, Ealanor Parker, William Bendix, Cathy O'Donnell and Lee grant
Kirk Douglas stars as Jim McLeod, a no-nonsense detective along with a cast of other detectives and officers as they battle crime on the streets of New York City.
The movie features superb directing and a very good story. The film is gritty and realistic as Ealanor Parker and Lee Grant give terrific performances. Kirk Douglas does a very nice job playing McLeod and this is one of his better roles. William Bendix is also great as Detective Lou Brody.
Harry Lime
06-26-11, 04:30 AM
Cool stuff, I like this kind of list. I'm a fan of the genre and appreciate your restricting it to the classic period.
#46
Pickup On South Street (1953)
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Director - Samuel Fuller
Cast - Richard Widmark, Jean Peter and Thelma Ritter
Richard Widmark plays Skip McCoy, a pickpocket who unknowingly steals top secret film from a woman (Jean Peters). She finds him and ends up falling for him. Meanwhile the agent the film was intended for comes looking for it at all costs.
Pickup On South Street is a solid film filled with mystery, intrigue and gritty violence. Thelma Ritter delivers a terrific performance as Moe, a rat for the police. Widmark is also fantastic as a common thief.
#45
Key Largo (1948)
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Director - John Huston
Cast - Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Edward G Robinson, Claire Trevor and Lionel Barrymore
Humphrey Bogart plays Frank McCloud on his way to an old hotel to honor a war buddy who was killed during WWII. Once there he meets his deceased friend's widow (Bacall) and father (Lionel Barrymore) who now run the hotel. Gangster Johnny Rocco (Edward G Robinson) and his crew arrive at the hotel during a hurricane as they eventually take over once their cover is blown. McCloud now struggles and wonders if he has the courage to take out Rocco and his ganngsters.
Claire Trevor and Bogart turn in the best performances. Director John Huston does a nice job in showing the inner-conflict McCloud endures in trying to drum up enough courage to confront the gangsters as well as tells a suspenseful and tense story. The acting all the way around is solid in this timeless classic.
What a great start :yup: love all of these :yup:
#44
The Dark Corner (1946)
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Director - Henry Hathaway
Cast - Lucille Ball, Clifton Webb, William Bendix and Mark Stevens
Mark Stevens plays Bradford Galt, a PI who suspects his ex-partner is trying to have him killed. Galt's beautiful secretary Kathleen (Lucille Ball) attempts to try and help out her boss whom she has fallen for as he becomes entangled in a mysterious plot.
The Dark Corner is a suspenseful and thrilling movie as well as a geat example of a classic film noir. It invokes all the traits and elements of the genre and has its share of twists and turns. Ball gives a wonderful performance in one of her only dramatic roles. In this film she shows she is very diverse and more than capable of playing a serious part.
#43
Act of Violence (1948)
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Director - Fred Zinnemann
Cast - Van Heflin, Robert Ryan and Janet Leigh
Frank Enley, played by Van Heflin, returns home from the war and dealing with his past where he was a POW in a German camp. Frank soon discovers his once best friend whom he thought was killed in the German camp, Joe Parkson (Robert Ryan), actually survived and is looking for revenge for what happened while they were POWs.
Director Fred Zinnemann does a good job in putting forth a dark and suspenseful film in what is one of his best works. Heflin and Ryan give good performances as the main stars of the film in this enjoyable tale of revenge and dealing with your past.
#42
The Letter (1940)
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Director - William Wyler
Cast - Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall and James Stephenson
Bette Davis is Leslie Crosbie who one quiet night shoots and kills a respected man. Leslie claims she is innocent and that the shooting was in self defense but a letter emerges that may shed light and the truth on the whole story.
I could have easily moved this one higher on the list. Director William Wyler weaves a delicious tale of mystery and intrigue with enough twists and turns that keep you constantly guessing and your eyes fixated on the screen. Bette Davis delivers a terrific performance as always along with James Stephenson who does a great job playing her lawyer. The Letter was well-received and nominated for 7 Academy Awards.
bobdanger
06-26-11, 03:32 PM
Awesome list so far. This is a GREAT idea and I'm looking forward to the rest of this list. Film Noir is a dying art form, so I'm glad we are talking it up and appreciating some of the gems of the genre. Plus, I am looking forward to discovering some that I have never seen. Great work!
#41
Scarlet Street (1945)
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Director - Fritz Lang
Cast - Edward G Robinson, Joan Bennett and Dan Duryea
Edward G Robinson is Chris, an average man who is unhappy in his marriage to his wife Adele (Rosalind Ivan). One day he sees a woman named Kitty (Joan Bennett) being attacked by a man (Dan Duryea). He comes to her rescue and he eventually falls in love with her. Little does he know the man that attacked her is actually her boyfriend, Johnny. Johnny and Kitty decide to swindle money from Chris as his wife's first husband (Charles Kemper) whom they thought was dead emerges. Murder and mystery ensue.
This is an enjoyable film as director Fritz Lang puts forth a nice psychological piece. Robinson and Bennett are solid and Duryea is excellent as a shady and abusive criminal. The ending invokes a typical depressing twist so common in the film noir genre that we've come to love.
Dog Star Man
06-26-11, 05:26 PM
Act of Violence has always been one of my personal favorites. This is a really good list thus far, but will we be seeing some international or neo-noirs as well? The Japanese New Wave had some really gritty Noirs that made most American Noirs seem tame in comparison. All the same with or without, this is shaping up to be a great list, kudos my friend!
(Edit: Read the above post, it's good your sticking to the classics).
iluv2viddyfilms
06-26-11, 05:32 PM
should be a great list. I need to watch more noir.
#40
The Woman In the Window (1944)
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Director - Fritz Lang
Cast - Edward G Robinson, Joan Bennett, Raymond Massey and Dan Duryea
Edward G Robinson is Richard Wanley, a college professor. He is infatuated with a picture of a woman he's never met (Joan Bennett). One day he ends up meeting the beautiful female who's name is Alice. Her boyfriend suspects there is more going on than a casual meeting and Wanley ends up killing him in self defense. Instead of telling the truth he decides to dispose of the body and cover up the killing along with Alice. Blackmail and betrayal are prominent themes in this tragic film noir.
Director Fitz Lang once again does an excellent job in creating suspense along with a very well-written screenplay. Robinson, Bennett and Dan Duryea are as always great. Raymond Massey also puts in a very nice performance as District Attorney Frank Lalor. The ending has a couple of terrific twists that will surprise you and leave you with a satisfied movie experience.
Act of Violence has always been one of my personal favorites.
It is a great film. I definitely had to squeeze it in my Top 50. I need to watch it again soon. Been a few years since I've viewed it.
This is a really good list thus far, but will we be seeing some international or neo-noirs as well? The Japanese New Wave had some really gritty Noirs that made most American Noirs seem tame in comparison. All the same with or without, this is shaping up to be a great list, kudos my friend!
You're right about some of the foreign film noirs. And there are indeed some great ones. However I only put a couple on the list. I tried to concentrate mainly on American film noirs from the classical period. No disrespect to the others. There's just so many films of this genre I had to narrow it down.
I'm excited to see so many fans of film noir. I was worried there wouldn't be a great deal of enthusiasts of the genre. Seems it's a very popular style among people here. That's great.
Dog Star Man
06-26-11, 06:16 PM
Are you kiddin'? I know I can't speak for everyone else, but Film Noir is where it's at. As a person who likes the experimental, Noir seems to experiment the most within the confines of low budgets, (most of them were B-pictures, which I adore), experimental lighting, and Hays Code "Can-I-get-away-with-its?". I love film and everything it has to offer... but some things stand out more than others, and Noir is definitely one of them. Keep this up!
#39
The Big Sleep (1946)
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Director - Howard Hawks
Cast - Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall
Humphrey Bogart is famous PI Philip Marlowe who is hired by General Ridgewood (Charles Waldron) to investigate some family matters. Turns out there is much more to the story than Marlowe was aware of and told. He becomes caught up in a complex plot of murder, mystery and blackmail.
This is another one I could have listed higher. It's a tremendous film. If complicated plots chocked full of twists and turns is your thing this is a must-see. Bogart is near-perfect along with the talented and stunning Lauren Bacall. Their chemistry is amazing in Howard Hawk's film. Martha Vickers is also extremely enjoyable as General Ridgewood's daughter, displaying solid acting skills. I will warn you this movie is very complicated and complex. Don't walk away for even a few moments or you will be lost. Still a classic film noir that is done very well and could easily be ranked higher.
Brodinski
06-26-11, 07:43 PM
My prediction for # 1: In A Lonely Place. How far off the mark am I, Gunny?
#38
Phantom Lady (1944)
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Director - Robert Siodmak
Cast - Franchot Tone, Ella Raines, Alan Curtis and Elisha Cook Jr
Unhappy in his marriage, Scott Henderson (Alan Curtis) goes out to a bar after a fight with his wife and meets a mysterious, hat-wearing woman and end up spending the evening together despite her not revealing any information about herself. When Scott returns home he discovers his wife has been murdered and he is the prime suspect because no one recalls his alibi, the mysterious woman. He is tried for the murder, found guilty and sentenced to death. His secretary, Carol (Ella Raines), who happens to be in love with him, believes he is innocent and embarks on a journey to find the mysterious phantom lady and the real killer.
The camera-work is very good in this mysterious and suspenseful film. You can't help but get sucked into the movie. The atmosphere Siodmak creates sometimes gives you a chill. Ella Raines gives the best performance of the film in my opinion.
My prediction for # 1: In A Lonely Place. How far off the mark am I, Gunny?
I have been sworn to secrecy. :D
Film noir is a genre I've liked the idea of for quite a long while but not really made much of a dent so far. So this list could be ideal for me. :up:
My favourite classic noir that I have seen so far is probably Laura. Or Sunset Blvd. if that is considered a noir.
#37
Leave Her to Heaven (1945)
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Director - John M Stahl
Cast - Gene Tierney, Cornel Wild, Jeanne Crain and Vincent Price
Ellen (Gene Tierney) meets Richard Hartland (Cornel Wild) on a train and they fall in love, eventually getting married. Richard finds out quickly Ellen isn't quite right, displaying extreme jealousy and obsession. After Ellen commits 2 acts of evil Richard leaves her. Ellen then sets up her sister Ruth (Jean Crain), whom cares deeply for Richard, for murder.
This is an extremely underrated film of the noir genre. Stahl was masterful in the directing and the cinematography was simply amazing. Gene Tierney delivers an astonishing dark and evil performance as a memorable femme fatale. Wild and Crain also pull through with very good performances. For some reason this is a film a lot of fans of film noirs have never seen or heard of. But for me it makes the Top 50.
Film noir is a genre I've liked the idea of for quite a long while but not really made much of a dent so far. So this list could be ideal for me. :up:
I think you'll fall in love once you really get through your first dozen films. They're very addicting (at least for me).
My favourite classic noir that I have seen so far is probably Laura. Or Sunset Blvd. if that is considered a noir.
Laura is indeed phenominal as well as Sunset Boulevard. And yes, the latter is certainly considered a film noir.
will.15
06-26-11, 09:11 PM
#37
Leave Her to Heaven (1945)
http://auteursnotebook.s3.amazonaws.com/Individual%20images/leave_her_to_heaven_2.jpg
Director - John M Stahl
Cast - Gene Tierney, Cornel Wild, Jeanne Crain and Vincent Price
Ellen (Gene Tierney) meets Richard Hartland (Cornel Wild) on a train and they fall in love, eventually getting married. Richard finds out quickly Ellen isn't quite right, displaying extreme jealousy and obsession. After Ellen commits 2 acts of evil Richard leaves her. Ellen then sets up her sister Ruth (Jean Crain), whom cares deeply for Richard, for murder.
This is an extremely underrated film of the noir genre. Stahl was masterful in the directing and the cinematography was simply amazing. Gene Tierney delivers an astonishing dark and evil performance as a memorable femme fatale. Wild and Crain also pull through with very good performances. For some reason this is a film a lot of fans of film noirs have never seen or heard of. But for me it makes the Top 50.
Probably because it is in color, which by some definitions takes it out of film noir.
Sinny McGuffins
06-26-11, 09:49 PM
Your timing for this list couldn't have been better. Well, for me, anyway.
I've always loved film noirs, but recently (and I literally mean this past week), I've been getting into the old, classic noirs which your list is highlighting. Glad you chose to stick with that period, as I've been seeking out some undiscovered gems from the 40s and 50s specifically, and I'm sure I'll find plenty in here. Keep it up, Gunny, I appreciate it!
#36
Cry of the City (1948)
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Director - Robert Siodmak
Cast - Victor Mature, Richard Conte, Fred Clark and Shelley Winters
Martin Rome (Richard Conte) is a hardened criminal who killed a cop in a shootout and is recovering in the hospital. He learns that a corrupt lawyer is representing a client who is accused of killing a woman and trying to blame it on him and his girlfriend, Teena (Debra Paget). Not wanting to see his girlfriend take the fall he escapes prison to try and clear their names. After him is Detective Candella (Victor Mature).
This is a very good example of a true film noir and an excellent one for beginners to get their feet wet with. Siodmak again works his magic by bringing the gritty city to life, making you feel you're experiencing it first-hand in this suspenseful tale. Mature and Conte give the best performances of the film.
Probably because it is in color, which by some definitions takes it out of film noir.
Chinatown is certainly film noir and maybe even the best example. There are others but no point in listing them unless you somehow deny Chinatown.
will.15
06-27-11, 01:13 AM
I could care less about what is and isn't, but the same people say Chinatown is not film noir, calling it neo noir or some such stuff because according to those people if it is not in black and white it is not true film noir. Personally I think it is a lot of crap including the notion film noir is an American phenomenon and it started with the Peter Lorre. I say Blue Angel and M, German films are as much noir, and many movies from the thirties like Scarface. What is supposed to distinguish 1930s gangster films from forties noir ones is the earlier gangsters were products of their environment, not psychos, but the Muni gangster is a whack job in love with his sister, so it is noir.
#35
Criss Cross (1949)
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Director - Robert Siodmak
Cast - Burt Lancaster, Yvonne DeCarlo and Dan Duryea
Steve Thompson (Burt Lancaster) heads to LA to try and convince his ex-wife Anna (Yvonne DeCarlo) to come back to him. Once there he discovers she is now involved with gangster Slim Dundee (Dan Duryea). They decide to have a romantic fling regardless but Anna goes on to marry Slim. Later on Steve and Slim decide to pull off an armored car robbery. Steve and Anna plan to double-cross Slim after the robbery. But who will end up being crossed?
Another great by Siodmak and a classic example of film noir. The cinematography is extremely good in this tragic tale of betrayal. Lancaster, DeCarlo and Duryea all punch in solid performances. A true dark and cynical film.
This was later turned into Soderbergh's Underneath.
#34
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1949)
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Director - Tay Garnett
Cast - John Garfield, Lana Turner, Cecil Kellaway, Hume Cronyn, Leon Ames and Audrey Totter
Frank Chambers (John Garfield) is passing through a town and stops at a diner where he meets the young and stunning Cora (Lana Turner) who owns the place along with her husband. They end up having an affair. Later Cora and Frank decide to murder her husband so they can be together.
Tay Garnett does a wonderful job weaving this terrific mystery on screen. Garfield and Turner are absolutely phenomenal and display an outstanding chemistry together as they seem to literally fall in love right before our eyes amid suspense and intrigue. A true classic of the film noir genre.
Dog Star Man
06-27-11, 03:12 AM
I could care less about what is and isn't, but the same people say Chinatown is not film noir, calling it neo noir or some such stuff because according to those people if it is not in black and white it is not true film noir. Personally I think it is a lot of crap including the notion film noir is an American phenomenon and it started with the Peter Lorre. I say Blue Angel and M, German films are as much noir, and many movies from the thirties like Scarface. What is supposed to distinguish 1930s gangster films from forties noir ones is the earlier gangsters were products of their environment, not psychos, but the Muni gangster is a whack job in love with his sister, so it is noir.
Most film historians point that Stanger on the Third Floor, (1940), to Touch of Evil, (1958), are the time frames for true, classical, Film Noir in the United States. Most everything existing outside this realm, from time frame, to international country, is called "Neo-Noir". Though I must stress these "definitions" have been altered here and there, and much of these "definitions" are not in the least bit concrete, but I hope this helps somehow in your search for the "truth".
will.15
06-27-11, 03:44 AM
#38
Phantom Lady (1944)
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_26qDKCIi5Gg/SrlLRMoJ8mI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/MtkegGKJY5c/19.jpg
Director - Robert Siodmak
Cast - Franchot Tone, Ella Raines, Alan Curtis and Elisha Cook Jr
Unhappy in his marriage, Scott Henderson (Alan Curtis) goes out to a bar after a fight with his wife and meets a mysterious, hat-wearing woman and end up spending the evening together despite her not revealing any information about herself. When Scott returns home he discovers his wife has been murdered and he is the prime suspect because no one recalls his alibi, the mysterious woman. He is tried for the murder, found guilty and sentenced to death. His secretary, Carol (Ella Raines), who happens to be in love with him, believes he is innocent and embarks on a journey to find the mysterious phantom lady and the real killer.
The camera-work is very good in this mysterious and suspenseful film. You can't help but get sucked into the movie. The atmosphere Siodmak creates sometimes gives you a chill. Ella Raines gives the best performance of the film in my opinion.
I believe Ella Raines was the only good girl of film noir, she was in five or six and was never bad, some other actresses who frequented the genre went back and forth like Gloria Graham and Barbara Stanwyck. Raines was also effective and heroic in the underrated Impact, which has Charles Coburn playing a wiley detective that seems almost like a dry run for Columbo.
#33
The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
http://www.moviemail-online.co.uk/images/large/ASPHAL_JUNGLE_rgb.jpg
Director - John Huston
Cast - Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagen, James Whitmore, Sam Jaffe and Marilyn Monroe
Doc (Sam Jaffe) just gets out of prison and seeks out Alonzo Emmerich (Louis Calhern), a shady lawyer whom Doc hopes will finance a robbery he has been planning for some years. After Alonzo agrees Doc assembles his team which consists of Dix Handley (Sterling Hayden), Gus Minissi (James Whitmore), Louie Ciavelli (Anthony Caruso) and others. After the heist the crew is on the run while the police are hot on their trail. Deceit, betrayal, murder and double-crosses ensue.
The Asphalt Jungle is an incredibly intelligent film. This is one of Huston's very best. The cinematography and writing are nothing short of amazing. Hayden and the rest of the cast are brilliant in their performances in this masterpiece caper film.
I think you'll fall in love once you really get through your first dozen films. They're very addicting (at least for me).
Laura is indeed phenominal as well as Sunset Boulevard. And yes, the latter is certainly considered a film noir.
Yeah at the moment I'm still trying to find my feet in the genre; just like with Westerns. I've not completely settled, switching from loving one film to hating the next. For example there are some I'll really enjoy (Laura/ 3:10 to Yuma and Little Big Man) and then the next one I watch I won't really get into (Maltese Falcon/ The Searchers). And yes I realise it's probably quite sacrilegious to say that about the Maltese Falcon in this of all threads! :D
So can we expect to see Laura at some point? ;) Could see it perhaps sneaking into my top 100 in the future with repeated viewings. And well Sunset Blvd. is my favourite then considering I have it as my #16 favourite film ever on list I'm currently posting
Oh and inspired by this list I went off and watched Double Indemnity. Cracking film! Great story and performances, with some fantastic hardboiled dialogue (especially in the early scenes between Neff and Phyllis)
linespalsy
06-27-11, 12:49 PM
Enjoying the list. So far my favorites are The Lady From Shanghai and Detective Story, and my least favorites are Scarlet Street and The Dark Corner. Quite a few I still need to see.
#32
Touch of Evil (1958)
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Director - Orson Welles
Cast - Orson Welles, Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh and Marlene Dietrich
Charlton Heston is Mike Vargas, a Mexican law enforcement officer with his new bride Susie (Janet Leigh). After a car bomb kills 2 people near the US/Mexico border Mike is thrust into a world of murder, police corruption, kidnapping and betrayal with Orson Welles playing Hank Quinlan, a corrupted cop.
Welles directs a brilliant masterpiece in this twisted tale, marking the end of the classical period of film noir. This is one of Welles' very best films as he creates a powerful and realistic atmosphere. Heston, Welles and Leigh are all magnificent with a solid supporting cast. I could have easily ranked this one higher but finally settled it in here.
will.15
06-27-11, 06:37 PM
32 is pretty low for Touch of Evil.
It is looking like you are going to have Stanley Kubrick's The Killing much higher than The Asphalt Jungle and it is not as good, and Plunder Road, which doesn't look like it is going to make your list is a great caper film also.
#31
The Killers (1946)
http://uffilmanalysisfive.pbworks.com/f/noir3.jpg
Director - Robert Siodmak
Cast - Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Edmond O'Brien and Sam Levene
2 hit men kill Swede (Burt Lancaster). An investigator, Jim Reardon (Edmond O'Brien), looks into the case and discovers a complex web that leads to the mysterious Kitty Collins (Ava Gardner).
Siodmak once again is a master at delivering the perfect atmosphere for an extremely well-written script from a great novel. He keeps you fixated on the screen as he slowly builds the suspense. Lancaster and Gardner are incredible with O'Brien looking very impressive as the investigator looking to put all the pieces together. A highly enjoyable film that captures the essence of noir.
#30
Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950)
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Director - Otto Preminger
Cast - Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney
Dana Andrews plays Detective Dixon as a cop in New York. Dixon accidentally kills a suspect and decides to cover it up since he's already in trouble for his past actions. The suspect of the murder is Jiggs Taylor, a local cab driver. Dixon is in love with his daughter, Morgan (Gene Tierney). Not wanting to see her father go to prison for a crime he didn't commit while not implicating himself, he attempts to put the blame on gangster Tommy Scalise (Gary Merrill).
This is a dark, gritty and corrupt noir that comes alive on screen. Preminger moves the story along nicely throwing in twists at just the right moments. Andrews and Tierney are excellent and display great chemistry as the supporting cast holds their own and supports them nicely. This is a classic of the noir genre and a must-see.
Brodinski
06-27-11, 07:27 PM
Lots of highly regarded noirs are ranked quite low by you, Gunny. Blogs I frequent that have compiled such lists all had Criss Cross, Touch of Evil and The Asphalt Jungle in the high end of the top 20. The Killers always cracked the top 10. Then again, the fact that so many usual suspects have come up already will make your list all the more surprising and suspenseful.
#29
Gun Crazy (1950)
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Director - Joseph H Lewis
Cast - Peggy Cummins and John Dall
John Dall is Bart Tare, a gun enthusiast who ends up at a carnival where he meets Annie Star (Peggy Cummins), who like himself is also a gun lover. The two fall in love and get married. Unhappy with their financial situation they decide to go on a cross-country crime spree committing robberies as the police are hot on their trail in a manhunt.
Lewis outdid himself with this tragic, dark and stylish film. The Bonnie and Clyde of noir, Lewis is masterful in his direction of this classic, low-budget film. He makes a work of art out of very little and relatively unknowns in the cast whom he gets great performances out of. Cummins and Dall are almost magical together as they head into the unknown in this timeless gem.
I really love Rusty Tamblyn as the young Bart in the courtroom scene at the beginning. I also really, really love that subjective camera shot from inside the car during the getaway.
#28
The Naked City (1948)
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Director - Jules Dassin
Cast - Barry Fitzgerald, Howard Duff, Dorothy Hart and Don Taylor
Detective Dan Muldoon (Barry Fitzgerald) is a veteran New York cop teamed up with his younger and much-less experienced partner Jimmy Halloran (Don Taylor). They are put in charge of the case of a young model who was murdered. Together they follow a dark and twisted investigation to uncover the truth.
Jules Dassin directs an incredible police thriller with some of the absolute best cinematography you will see in a noir. You are sucked into this visually stunning film and at times think you are right there in the movie as the gritty streets in New York come alive. Fitzgerald is perfect in his role as a career detective as the rest of the cast are a solid compliment in this extremely dark and well-written classic.
#27
Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
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Director - Alexander Mackendrick
Cast - Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Susan Harrison and Martin Milner
Burt Lancaster stars as infamous JJ Hunsecker, a powerful and influential writer who hires shady agent Sydney Falco (Tony Curtis) to break up the romance between his sister Susan (Susan Harrison) and her lover, Steve Dallas (Martin Milner).
Mackendrick is at the top of his game in this masterpiece crime thriller. The cinematography is at times mesmerizing, the dialog is gripping and addicting and the jazz score sucks you in. Lancaster delivers an evil and sinister performance in some of his most brilliant acting. Curtis was phenomenal as well playing a much different role than he had in the past as the rest of the cast were near-perfect. A true timeless classic of the noir genre that never seems to lose its fascination.
#26
The Big Combo (1955)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/BigComboTrailer.jpg
Director - Joseph H Lewis
Cast - Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte, Brian Donlevy and Jean Wallace
Lieutenant Leonard Diamond (Cornel Wilde) is obsessed with bringing down gangster Mr. Brown (Richard Conte) amongst a world of violence, betrayal, mystery and deception. Will Diamond find a piece of the puzzle to finally put the mob boss away?
When you think of film noirs this is the kind of movie that comes to mind. A classic example of the genre. The cinematography is second-to-none, delivering some of the most famous shots with camera angles, lighting and shadows. Cinematographer John Alton is perhaps the absolute master of creating the shadows, scenes, images and mood of noirs and doesn't disappoint in this film. Lewis makes this movie flow like a stream and brilliantly sets the atmosphere with excellent pacing and intensity. Most will credit Gun Crazy as Lewis' best film but I was more impressed with The Big Combo. Like many others on this list I could have easily moved this film several slots higher. A definite must-see of noirs. It's easy to lose yourself in this cinematic masterpiece.
There you have it. Halfway through. 25 down and 25 to go.
will.15
06-28-11, 07:52 PM
No Anthony Mann yet, Phil Karlson, Don Siegel, Cy Endfield, Richard Fleischer, Andre de Toth, Robert Wise, Max Ophuls, Rudolph Mate or Jacques Tourneur.
Billy Wilder I assume is still coming.
Wow what a great list :yup:
#25
Crossfire (1947)
http://www.cinema.ucla.edu/sites/default/files/imagecache/Large/images/pages/crossfire.jpg
Director - Edward Dmytryk
Cast - Robert Young, Robert Mitchum, Robert Ryan and Gloria Grahame
Detective Finlay (Robert Young) and Sergeant Keeley (Robert Mitchum) investigate a murder of a man whom they suspect was killed by one or possibly more of a group of soldiers.
This is a highly enjoyable film. Through witnesses the story is told through flashbacks which makes this extremely entertaining and keeps you guessing. Edward Dmytryk directs this in-your-face suspense film perfectly that has fantastic cinematography and sets the mood and atmosphere for this excellent whodunit mystery. The acting all around is first-class and many give realistic and dramatic performances with Robert Ryan and Gloria Grahame standing out.. This is a terrific noir that never gets old that you will find yourself watching again and again.
This film is significant in that it was the first B movie to ever be nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. It had several other nominations as well.
will.15
07-02-11, 03:21 AM
Crossfire is not a B movie, very few of the best known film noirs are true B movies, which are by strict definition movies made strictly to be on the second half of the bill. At 85 minutes, it is an A minus movie. The real Bs usually run little more than an hour. Among the best known pure B film noirs are When Strangers Marry (William Castle), My Name is Julia Ross (Joseph H. Lewis), and Detour (Edgar Ulmer).
I really have to see more noirs. Have you seen Rififi by Jules Dassin? Just curious as i see you have The Naked City on your list.
Anyway, great list! And very, very suspenseful :)
will.15
07-02-11, 04:16 PM
Thieves' Highway (1949) also directed by Jules Dassin is another fine film noir. Richard Conte is one of my favorite actors. I'm curious to see if the spectacular House of Strangers directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz starring Conte and Edward G. Robinson will make the list.
ash_is_the_gal
07-02-11, 04:43 PM
cool list so far, Gunny. i haven't seen most of them, but i just added a bunch to my Netflix. you've got my attention!
I've seen all of 'em so far, and I was going to re-rank them, but that's an egotistical waste of time. Just watch them whenever you see them. I am claiming to be the first though to predict his #1: Out of the Past.
^ I'm betting its The Maltese Falcon.
But hey, i don't wanna spoil the suspense ;)
will.15
07-03-11, 02:38 PM
I predict number one won't be Out of the Past.
An argument could be made The Maltese Falcon is not a pure film noir. It has many of the classic ingredients, but the Spade detective is not a classic noir protagonist. He is always in control, the cinematography doesn't have the German gothic look, and is a remake of an early thirties movie that told the same story,
But I wouldn't take any bets it takes the top spot.
#24
Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
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Director - Robert Aldrich
Cast - Ralph Meeker, Maxine Cooper, Albert Dekker, Paul Stewart and Cloris Leachman
Ralph Meeker is PI Mike Hammer who one night picks up a stranger (Cloris Leachman) along a dark road. Hammer is then thrust into a twisted and complex plot centered around a mysterious box.
Kiss Me Deadly is a classic and excellent example of film noir. Robert Aldrich spins a fantastic, suspenseful and hard-hitting tale with Ralph Meeker nailing the role of Mike Hammer. The acting across the board is solid and the film itself is captivating. This is a movie that never tires or gets old.
#23
Kiss of Death (1947)
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Director - Henry Hathaway
Cast - Victor Mature, Brian Donlevy, Coleen Gray, Richard Widmark and Taylor Holmes
Nick Bianco (Victor Mature) is a crook who goes to prison on a stiff sentence for a crime and refusal to rat out his crew. While behind bars he discovers tragedy has struck his family and needs to get out so he decides to cooperate with the authorities. One of the men he testifies against (Widmark) seeks revenge against Bianco who now has a new life.
A perfect example of a true noir, this is a timeless and gritty classic. Hathaway is at the top of his game directing while Richard Widmark portrays a memorable, psychotic killer which he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Kiss of Death is a shocking and thrilling film that is a must-see of the noir genre.
#22
White Heat (1949)
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Director - Raoul Walsh
Cast - James Cagney, Virginia Mayo and Edmond O'Brien
James Cagney is Cody Jarrett, a ruthless leader of gang whom is extremely close to his mother and is sent to prison. An undercover agent (Edmond O'Brien) is sent in to extract information from him (they believe he's committed more serious crimes than what he was sentenced for) and to find out Jarrett's fence. Cody finds out another member of his gang is trying to take over and have him killed. Jarrett attempts to make an escape from prison and pull off another heist.
A classic of the early gangster films, White Heat is a prime example of noir, containing all of the elements of the genre. Cagney is terrific playing the role of a psychotic gangster. The supporting cast is extremely impressive including Margaret Wycherly as Jarrett's equally psychotic mother, Edmond O'Brien as the undercover agent and Virginia Mayo playing the double-crossing femme fatale. Walsh directs an amazing film and it's elements can be seen in several future gangster movies. White Heat is pure delight and never ceases to entertain.
#21
Detour (1945)
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Director - Edgar G Ulmer
Cast - Tom Neal and Ann Savage
While hitchhiking, Al (Tom Neal) is picked up by a man. Later the man dies and Al dumps his body as well as steals his car, money and identification. Afterwards Al picks up an attractive woman named Vera (Ann Savage). Little does Al know that Vera knew the man who died and recognizes the car. A twisted tale of blackmail ensues.
Detour, in my humble opinion, is a severely underrated movie and is often dismissed in talks of great noirs. Ulmer proves that a classic film can be made through simplicity and solid acting. There's nothing fancy or gimmicky about Detour. Just a great, straight-forward film. Excellent acting, directing and a great story makes this a cult classic that will live on forever in noir lore.
[SIZE=4]#23
Kiss of Death (1947)
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/03/27/arts/widmark450.jpg
I am a big fan of this one :yup:
will.15
07-12-11, 07:22 PM
Detour rated way too high. I like it, but it sure ain't better than The Killers, The Asphalt Jungle, and Touch of Evil.
#20
Ace in the Hole (1951)
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Director - Billy Wilder
Cast - Kirk Douglas, Jan Sterling, Robert Arthur and Porter Hall
Chuck Tatum (Kirk Douglas) is a shady and corrupt reporter who ends up in New Mexico and talks his way into a job for a small local newspaper. He discovers a story about a man trapped in a cave. Tatum decides to cash in on the situation along with the victim's wife (Jan Sterling) by convincing the rescuers to use a slower rescue method so he can receive longer national attention.
Billy Wilder directs a cold and shocking masterpiece with Ace in the Hole with Kirk Douglas at the top of his game. The film delivers hard-hitting dialogue in this cruel, dark and twisted tale. To this day Ace in the Hole remains powerful and fascinating. While not Wilder's greatest film, one could make a good argument that it is in his top 5.
I am a big fan of this one :yup:
It is indeed a great film. Richard Widmark is just creepy as a psychotic murderer.
#19
The Killing (1956)
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Director - Stanley Kubrick
Cast - Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Vince Edwards, Jay C Flippen and Elisha Cook Jr
Johnny Clay (Sterling Hayden) is a career criminal who along with his crew is planning a daring and complex heist at a horse track. Deceit, backstabbing, double-crosses and murder ensue.
When you think of Kubrick's greatest films and achievements this film is usually left out. And that may be a mistake. This is a forgotten gem by Kubrick who captivates you with the mood, atmosphere, dialogue and camera-work in this suspenseful, fast-paced and thrilling noir. The acting is outstanding all the way around in this gritty adventure. Along with Asphalt Jungle this is one of the great early heist films. A must-see of the noir genre.
#18
Night and the City (1950)
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Director - Jules Dassin
Cast - Richard Widmark, Gene Tierney, Googie Withers and Herbert Lom
Richard Widmark is Harry Fabian, a low-level hustler and con artist. One day he concocts a scheme to make a lot of money using a famous wrestler and his son (Herbert Lom), a mob boss.
Night and the City is a historical and important film of the noir genre. Dassin directs a dark and suspenseful classic with sharp and witty dialogue and creates a traditional noir mood through camera techniques and lighting. Widmark, as always, is fantastic paired with the talented and beautiful Gene Tierney. A standard of the genre, Night and the City hooks you and doesn't let go until the very end.
Pyro Tramp
07-13-11, 04:22 PM
Nice list, should be a handy to prioritise films from the Noir List
#17
DOA (1950)
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Director - Rudolph Mate
Cast - Edmond O'Brien, Pamela Britton and Luther Adler
Edmond O'Brien is Frank Bigelow. While on vacation he is poisoned by someone unknown at a club with a mysterious substance. Bigelow investigates to find out who his killer is and why he was targeted before he dies as he races against the clock.
Mate creates a classic as he incorporates tremendous mood, atmosphere, suspense and camera-work associated with noirs in an excellent example of the genre. O'Brien shows his acting talent convincingly portraying a dying man attempting to solve his own murder before it's too late. The film yanks you into a dark and twisted world from the very beginning and is told through flashbacks. DOA is a tremendous achievement in noir and helped lay the groundwork for many films to come in the genre. A definite must-see.
Brodinski
07-14-11, 12:31 PM
#18
Night and the City (1950)
http://www.movie-roulette.com/photos_big/night-and-the-city-1950-1-1.jpeg
Director - Jules Dassin
Cast - Richard Widmark, Gene Tierney, Googie Withers and Herbert Lom
Richard Widmark is Harry Fabian, a low-level hustler and con artist. One day he concocts a scheme to make a lot of money using a famous wrestler and his son (Herbert Lom), a mob boss.
Night and the City is a historical and important film of the noir genre. Dassin directs a dark and suspenseful classic with sharp and witty dialogue and creates a traditional noir mood through camera techniques and lighting. Widmark, as always, is fantastic paired with the talented and beautiful Gene Tierney. A standard of the genre, Night and the City hooks you and doesn't let go until the very end.
I think this is the best noir has produced in terms of cinematography (of the ones I've seen at least). Gene Tierney is monumental and the whole film is so dark and brooding with such terrific photography. It's a splendid film. I thought this would be a shoe-in for top 10. Still, some big contenders left, but not a whole lot.
will.15
07-14-11, 01:12 PM
Pamela Britton was better as Mrs. Brown in My Favorite Martian.
It is indeed a great film. Richard Widmark is just creepy as a psychotic murderer.
He certainly does creepy well :yup:
#16
Force of Evil (1948)
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Director - Abraham Polonsky
Cast - John Garfield and Thomas Gomez
Joe Morse (John Garfield) is a corrupted lawyer who works for a gangster who seeks to take over all of the numbers racket and together they hatch a plan. Morse's brother is one of those running the numbers and circumstances soon get out of control that end with a thrilling and violent conclusion.
Polonsky pieces together a terrific crime film and a classic of the noir genre. The movie is in-your-face and the dialogue is smooth and captivating. Along with The Postman Always Rings Twice, this is Garfield's best performance. He steals the show in this gritty and stylistic masterpiece.
#15
The Narrow Margin (1952)
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Director - Richard Fleischer
Cast - Charles McGraw, Marie Windsor and Jacqueline White
Detective Brown (Charles McGraw) is given the important task of protecting the wife of a slain mob boss aboard a train on her way to testify to a grand jury as the mob are in hot pursuit.
While Fleischer had better success with his other films I firmly believe The Narrow Margin was his best. He captures the classic noir mood and atmosphere along with top-notch examples of shadows and lighting of the genre. The script is almost perfect as Fleischer gets the most out of this thrilling and suspenseful low-budget "B" film. An extremely underrated movie, The Narrow Margin proves you can create a timeless classic out of very little with creative and talented minds.
will.15
08-29-11, 07:45 AM
Where the heck did Gunny go? He didn't finish his list!
I can now reveal his number one film noir is The Third Man and unless he shows up to identify first choice, there is no one who can prove different.
Harry Lime
08-30-11, 11:46 PM
Where the heck did Gunny go? He didn't finish his list!
I was just thinking the same thing. Maybe he's on vacation, a rather long vacation. He could've been tangled up in a real life film noir and he's currently on the run/trying to set things right.
Brodinski
08-31-11, 08:54 AM
Maybe he died... Guy was pretty old, no?
will.15
08-31-11, 01:45 PM
I think he was like fifty. You think because he knew his film noirs he was a real old geezer.
Brodinski
08-31-11, 01:49 PM
When you're 22, 50 is pretty old.
will.15
08-31-11, 01:59 PM
Anything can happen. It was announced on a site I used to go to one of them died suddenly and he was in his early or mid forties.
But I am pretty sure Gunny is still kicking.
Harry Lime
08-31-11, 06:08 PM
Maybe he died... Guy was pretty old, no?
Let's give it a little time before we start pronouncing him D.O.A.
will.15
08-31-11, 07:00 PM
D.O.A. was on Gunny's list. Coicidence or...?
honeykid
08-31-11, 07:45 PM
Surely he couldn't be DOA, as if he is "D" he'll never "A" here. Maybe he'd be D.S.E. Dead Somewhere Else.
Harry Lime
09-01-11, 02:28 AM
Yeah, I just said "D.O.A." because it was on the list.
will.15
09-01-11, 02:39 AM
Yeah, I just said "D.O.A." because it was on the list.
Okay take my brownie point
will.15
09-01-11, 02:41 AM
He could be just another story from The Naked City
Harry Lime
09-01-11, 02:52 AM
I was checking out all the other lists that have popped up here lately and thought to myself, what happened with the one list I was most interested in. Glad to see I'm not the only one. I think this site could use a few more genre specific lists. I'll plus rep the ***** out of it if anyone does make one.
will.15
12-05-12, 06:17 PM
Since Gunny seems to be permanently AOL, I am goin to try to figure out the other 13 movies that would have made the list, but not in any order. One problem is the rubbery definition of noir as he had The Letter on the list and I would not have thought that was one with its British characters in an exotic setting.
The Third Man
Double Indemnity
Treasure of Sierra Madre (noir?)
The Maltese Falcon
Murder My Sweet ( a little too high on a list for my taste, but I don't think I saw it earlier)
Sunset Boulevard
In a Lonely Place
On the Waterfront (noir?)
will.15
12-05-12, 06:38 PM
Some more, checking the list to see if they were there.
Out of the Past
Laura
At least one of these boxing movies should have made the list. They were all big movies when they came out:
The Set-Up (the least successful at the time, but probably the one most acclaimed today)
The Champion, the movie that established Kirk Douglas as a star
Body and Soul, the most popular of the three, but maybe the most dated now.
I am still missing a few.
The Harder They Fall is good, but I can't believe it would be that high.
I have a feeling he overlooked House of Strangers
The Lost Weekend (noir?)
Panic in the Streets
Cobpyth
12-09-12, 12:02 PM
Whatever Will said and probably some of these too:
Strangers on a Train
The Night of the Hunter
The Big Heat
Spellbound
Suspicion
Gilda
Mildred Pierce
Dark passage
Nightmare Alley
...
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