Film Noir HoF IV

[Siddon]

Hey, I don't know if Siddon even needs it. He's really crankin' them out!..👍


I just finished Maltese Falcon and the only film left is my nomination...so yeah I'm good.

[Citizen Rules]

I just finished Maltese Falcon and the only film left is my nomination...so yeah I'm good.:up: Hey while you're here, I got a question you wanted a Neo Noir HoF right? See the next post

[Citizen Rules]

I was hoping we'd be done with this HoF by now as there's something scheduled...I talked to Thief and he's going to run a Neo Noir HoF very soon. At the same time I'm going to start another Film Noir HoF.

Both of these HoFs will be more relaxed and laid back and have 2 full months watch time. You can join one, or the other, or both.

The Neo Noir should be popular but I am guessing another Film Noir will have very light turn out, so super easy to do. These will be the last HoFs we can do to support the upcoming duel Noir countdowns and are a great way to help bring attention to noirs.

[Siddon]

https://debbimacktoo.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/ending_maltesefalcon.gif

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

The film opens with a double murder as Sam Spade loses his partner and gains a shady woman, a weirdo, and a fat man. The first collaboration of Bogart and Huston is to me the best...and that's saying a lot. I forgot how hilarious Lorre and Bogart were in this one. This is a very claustrophobic film, most of it takes place in single rooms with guys playing games of cat and mouse.

Bogart's Sam Spade is less a man on revenge but more a man bemused by the people in this story. Mary Astor on the other hand...this is a character who goes on a journey, Each act of the story she just changes a little bit each time until the final result is nothing like the person from the start of the film.

This is a great noir, it's dark, cynical and fun. I saw a lot of good noirs but this was one of the best.

A

[Siddon]

:up: Hey while you're here, I got a question you wanted a Neo Noir HoF right? See the next post


Sure...would love to.

[Thief]

edarsenal Thief Siddon

I'm feeling generous, tis the season:p....So I'm going to extend the deadline by one week. The new deadline is Dec 23....Because the alternative isn't really festive!

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmmaron.net%2Fmovies%2Fimages%2Fdeadlineusa52.015.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=92e1cc3235101dd60cef013ab351c48d4be7cdee231b234c58a210eb067c64b3&ipo=images

I definitely appreciate this. Like I've said already, we just moved a couple of weeks ago and we're still living among boxes of stuff. Mix that with my wife's desire to decorate for Christmas, and it's a recipe for disaster as we've been juggling between moving boxes and holiday decorations boxes, along with a perfect storm of plumbing, electricity, and other issues that have come with the new house. I've tried to watch The Asphalt Jungle for the last three nights in a row, but I'm so exhausted that the three times I've dozed off either 15 minutes in, or 40 minutes in. I think I can catch up with the three remaining ones in the week, though, so thanks... and my apologies to the rest of the group

[Thief]

*sigh* I've tried for four nights to finish The Asphalt Jungle, but every time I sit down to watch it, I end up dozing off :( Not the film's fault, but again, too much work, too much stuff going on, and when I sit down to watch TV at 9pm, my body just shuts down. I'm gonna try it again tonight.

I also need to write up my thoughts on Act of Violence and Thieves' Highway, which I did see a couple of weeks ago. Might skip my usual long review for the moment and just go for a quick write-up to close this up.

If I do end up finishing The Asphalt Jungle tonight, and can manage to watch Gilda and Mildred Pierce in the next few days, I'll be done :)

[Citizen Rules]

*sigh* I've tried for four nights to finish The Asphalt Jungle, but every time I sit down to watch it, I end up dozing off :( Not the film's fault, but again, too much work, too much stuff going on, and when I sit down to watch TV at 9pm, my body just shuts down. I'm gonna try it again tonight.

I also need to write up my thoughts on Act of Violence and Thieves' Highway, which I did see a couple of weeks ago. Might skip my usual long review for the moment and just go for a quick write-up to close this up.

If I do end up finishing The Asphalt Jungle tonight, and can manage to watch Gilda and Mildred Pierce in the next few days, I'll be done :):up: You're the man! You can do it too! One or two sentence write ups are perfectly fine, just be like me and write your thoughts on the fly and misspell everything:p I do!

[Siddon]

https://idrawonmywall.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/touchofevil_09762_rv_133_01-27.jpg

Touch of Evil (1958)

This is often considered the last noir film before the world moved into neonoir movements. Orson Welles had performed and man some other noirs but this was his masterpiece. Rewatching the film you catch things that you miss on earlier viewers. I had forgotten that this entire takes place in basically a weekend.

Heston plays Vargas a diplomat caught up in this murder case. The captain of the police force comes in played by Orson Welles. Quinlan is a man barely hanging on 12 years sober with one leg and suffering from severe obesity and trauma from a dead wife. Quinlan is a fantastic villain the last of the western lawmen who had no issue planting evidence if you knew the guy was guilty. Although with this crime the guilt was almost known immediately.

Quinlan's descent into alcoholism is just one plot of the film...you also have this other story where Janet Leigh is sent to a shady motel at the border. The local criminal family Grandi doesn't want Vargas and Quinlan hanging around investigating everything that is going on. Grandi sends his family to basically drug and frame Vargas wife. The entire plot is some of the more terrifying aspects of the story.

Welles hits on so many things that are topical today. The drug trade at the border, the thin blue line that police officers deal with, PTSD in where we see the start with Leigh and the conclusion with Welles all under this specter of big oil coming into this region to take it over. The film ends in a bittersweet notion where Quinlan turns out he was right in finding the killer but that's all beside the point. This is honestly one of my favorite movies of all-time.

A

[Thief]

Will I make it? Won't I make it? I already finished The Asphalt Jungle and I'm halfway through Mildred Pierce. Hopefully, Gilda tomorrow and I'll be done in the nick of time.

[Thief]

Act of Violence (1948)

I really liked how this one builds up the suspense and dread about what's going on, right from the start. Solid performances from the two lead actors.

[Thief]

Thieves' Highway (1949)

Solid thriller, although I felt the subplot with the driver friend hurt the overall pace. Lee J. Cobb was great as the antagonist.

[Thief]

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

Regardless of how long it took me to finish it, I really liked this one. Sterling Hayden is effectively cold as the lead, the guy that plays Emmerich was great, and the story just sizzles. Loved it.

[Thief]

Mildred Pierce (1945)

Another great one. Joan Crawford is great as always. I really loved how it builds the mystery as we unwrap what really happened that night. The actress that plays Veda was really good as well.

[Thief]

I will add fuller reviews later. Now give me until tomorrow to finish Gilda and I'll be done.

[edarsenal]

https://i.makeagif.com/media/9-21-2015/YUhc8X.gif
https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i393/maltesefalcon41_aguynamedthursby_FC_470x264_021820160535.jpg?w=400
https://bogiefilmblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/malt-1.png?w=560&h=421

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

The Maltese Falcon is one of the endeared films that has remained so throughout my life. Only to be outdone, as far as Bogey films by Casablanca. There’s a special kind of pleasure in attaining such a familiarity with any given film that expands through one’s life. From the perceptions that shift and grow as we view things as a pup, a young adult, and into our older years. To the nuances and subtleties that we delve into and relish. Not to mention the varying characters and how we scrutinize and applaud each of their performances, but we will take turns with each viewing as the focus of our attention shifts down the line.
I have had the pleasure of doing all of this, meandering the full gambit throughout the years. With this recent revisit, having been a solid number of years since my last visit, I enjoyed a full and complete indulgence in each and every aspect of the story, composition, and performance. And what a giddy thrill it was.
As we all know, this was Huston’s debut as a director. The man delivers a powerhouse and iconic film that sets the bar for his further endeavors, along with what could be argued as some of the essential tropes for the noir genre and the following neo-noirs that gleaned inspiration and would pay homage with imitation after imitation, such as the “unknown” treasure beneath the standard black paint of uninteresting bust of a bird. To the beautiful client claiming innocence with a selfish, greed-fueled agenda and the unsavory but migod! What a colorful and memorable group of fellow hunters for the prize that Bogart’s Sam Spade must tangle with and outthink. It is a genuinely excellent point of view as the twists, turns, the lies, the deals, the betrayals come gushing forward with every line of dialogue. The fantastic aspect is that it is never convoluted or overly confusing. Or perhaps it is because we have such faith in Spade’s detective skills and guile that we strode with equal confidence through each and every turn—loving the ride the entire time.

[edarsenal]

https://idrawonmywall.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/touchofevil_09762_rv_133_01-27.jpg?w=656
https://tilt.goombastomp.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Touch-of-Evil-1958.png
https://deepfocusreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/touchofevil5.jpg

Touch of Evil (1958)

I have seen this film a couple of times so far, and it has remained one of the grittier, trepidation-filled, and, as a whole, a more realistic cynical (which says a lot for a genre that capitalizes on cynicism) than its counterparts. Something I adhere to is Orson Welles being at the helm, from his epitome of the “lost” dirty cop so entrenched in sustaining the life that is devouring his heart, body, and soul, but to the cinematic brilliance of each and every shot. There is something intriguingly extraordinary that, with such a ”bigger than life” actor such as Charlton Heston, for nearly the entire length of the film, I genuinely believe his character is way over his head, and there is no chance that he would come out on top in any form or fashion by its end. At this moment, I found it very hard to come up with a similar role that my belief, even after a few viewings, was not worry and fear for the protagonist. Or, for that matter, the maiden in distress. Definitely not in an older film that’s for sure. But here, my initial viewings were wrought with a palpable worry for both of them. And again, I credited it to Welles’ direction and his overall “vision.”

My only variation on this viewing is the ability to study the other characters and performances, such as Mort Mills’ faithful partner/dog to Welle’s Quinlin and all the well-sustained layers of what most would leave as two-dimensional. I enjoyed my study of the taken-for-granted confidence of being with the man with the consistently winning hand, crumble, crack, and disintegrate. His self-survival spurred him into deeper and deeper chasms of soul-decimating actions. That final confrontation played out like a Shakespearian drama. Just f@ckin gorgeous.

[Citizen Rules]

@edarsenal (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=50536) @Thief (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=109353) @Diehl40

I'm going to extended this a few more days...to about a week, ending sometime after Christmas but hopefully before the new year.

I know Christmas is only two days away and people might be traveling or drinking too much eggnog:D Diehl40 finished a long time ago, but didn't send me a voting ballot. He did say this was his first HoF so he most likely didn't know he needed to vote and he's been offline for a week probably heading for 'Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie':) So we'll wait.

No worries my friends and Happy Noir Holidays and Merry Christmas
https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FCemmsHS.jpg%3F1&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=b878c22a1a7b9dee231542d12ede64fb3d75491a80c850717efe024f3102f23d&ipo=images

[Thief]

I just finished Gilda a while ago, so I'm basically done. Just need to write something about it and send my ballot.

[Citizen Rules]

I just finished Gilda a while ago, so I'm basically done. Just need to write something about it and send my ballot.Thanks Thief, appreciate it.

[Thief]

Gilda (1946)

Why hadn't I checked this before? All the time I thought it would be some silly melodrama, but this was heavy stuff. Great performances, great dialogue. Rita Hayworth was so good, and yet so was everybody else. Loved it.

[edarsenal]

Gilda (1946)

Why hadn't I checked this before? All the time I thought it would be some silly melodrama, but this was heavy stuff. Great performances, great dialogue. Rita Hayworth was so good, and yet so was everybody else. Loved it.
I felt the same way I saw it.
SO MANY great revisits here and a couple of "Why did I wait so long" films here.


And THANKS CR!! I just sent in my vote and will finish posting reviews through the day.


HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL!!!!

[edarsenal]

https://alexonfilm.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/detour1.jpg?w=584
https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.rogerebert.com/uploads/review/primary_image/reviews/great-movie-detour-1945/homepage_EB19980607REVIEWS08401010312AR.jpg
https://i.makeagif.com/media/8-11-2015/j6kXek.gif

Detour (1945)

Detour picked an ideal premise for a low budget: the doomed man. Wrong place, wrong time, and the spiraling circumstances of zero breaks and worse-case scenarios squelching any and all grit or determination to make it out again. Inevitably, resigning to the full circle of a “bad car ride.”

What was not low-budget were the performances. From the pitiful “doomed man” (Tom Neal) to the lashing force (Ann Savage) bullying him down the precarious slope, everyone made commendable representations in this fatalist tale. It was concise, believable, and engaging. Bravo. Bravo.

[Thief]

ACT OF VIOLENCE
(1948, Zinnemann)

https://i.imgur.com/9lB3R78.jpg


"Edith, a lot of things happened in the war that you wouldn't understand. Why should you? I don't understand them myself."



Act of Violence follows Joe Parkson (Robert Ryan), a former World War II POW determined to find one of his comrades, Frank Enley (Van Heflin), at all costs. The reason? It's one of those things that happened in the war that nobody understands, not even Joe or Frank; but that's one of the mysteries that this film holds on to for a while.

The film opens with Joe tracking down Frank to kill him, all while leaving us in the dark as to why. Frank seems to be a well-doing and renowned contractor in the housing business while it is evident that Joe is unhinged and dangerous. The film does a great job of just throwing us right in the middle of that crux without telling us all the details, so our allegiance tends to be with Frank. But this is something that might change as the film reveals more about Joe's reasonings.

I think that was my favorite thing about the film; how it manages to contrast and juxtapose these two characters, none of which are entirely free from blame or wrong-doing. For a 1940s film to present the complexity of those things that "happened in the war" and that we can't understand, it is quite something, and I like that the film never fully commits to any side. Neither Joe nor Frank are demonized or idolized, but are rather presented as two damaged individuals.

Ryan and Heflin are pretty solid in their roles, but I think my favorite performances were from Janet Leigh as Frank's wife, Edith, who has to handle Joe while also trying to understand the truth about her husband's past, and Mary Astor who plays a street-smart woman who stumbles upon Frank and also tries to understand what is happening and tries to help him in a different way.

But to go back to my initial point, I think the film's biggest success is how relentless it feels. Just like Joe, the film's pace rarely lets us catch our breath as we see this cat-and-mouse game unfold and these things that are impossible to understand are brought to light. Things that, just like Frank himself told his wife, we might never understand them ourselves.

Grade: 4

[Thief]

THIEVES' HIGHWAY
(1949, Dassin)

https://i.imgur.com/CgqcATo.jpg


"Come on, we'll sell the stuff on consignment, I'll give the kid a fair shake. If that's against the law, I guess I'm a crook."



Thieves' Highway follows Nick Garcos (Richard Conte), who returns from World War II to his family in California, only to find that his father, a produce driver, was roughed up by a ruthless dealer called Mike Figlia (Lee J. Cobb). This resulted in Nick's father losing his legs and sets Nick on a path for revenge against Figlia.

Like many film noirs, the film does a great job of presenting the insurmountable stakes that our lead seems to be against. Perhaps a representation of the struggles and difficulties that veterans had to face upon returning home, Nick seems to have little chances to win. But he more than makes up for it with determination and guts as he stands up to Figlia.

Nick is also helped by Ed (Millard Mitchell), another driver that took up Nick father's truck, and Rica (Valentina Cortese), a local that Figlia might or might not be using against Nick. Conte is solid in the lead, but it is Cobb who easily shines as Figlia. His character moves seamlessly from fake amiability to sheer unscrupulousness and opportunism.

However, the film's pace is a bit dragged down by Ed's subplot, despite Mitchell's performance being pretty good. I also didn't like how the film handled the subplot with Nick's girlfriend, Polly (Barbara Lawrence) and how Rica serves as the rebound. I don't think the character of Polly was entirely necessary, or on the other hand, the romantic relationship with Rica.

Despite those flaws, the film was enjoyable with some nice twists and solid performances. The exchanges between Nick and Figlia were intense and featured some good dialogue ("your end of nothing is nothing") without it resorting into the stereotypes of antagonists, so I'll give it a fair shake.

Grade: 3

[Thief]

THE ASPHALT JUNGLE
(1950, Huston)

https://i.imgur.com/bcAPiYD.jpg


"Suppose we had no police force, good or bad. Suppose we had... just silence. Nobody to listen. Nobody to answer. The battle's finished. The jungle wins. The predatory beasts take over. Think about it."



That is part of the closing statement offered by the police at the end of this iconic film noir. Perhaps the jungle/beasts metaphor is a bit on the nose, but that doesn't make it any less appropriate. Because if there's one thing the film succeeds is in transmitting the savagery and ruthlessness of this "asphalt jungle" where survival is of the fittest.

The Asphalt Jungle follows a group of criminals led by Doc Riedenschneider (Sam Jaffe) as they plan and stage the robbery of a jewel store that could leave them all set for life. To pull it off, he needs a safecracker (Anthony Caruso), a getaway driver (James Whitmore), and a "hooligan" (Sterling Hayden). But in this jungle, the predatory beasts are all over.

This is a film I had been hearing about for a long time, but somehow I hadn't been able to get to it. Now that I finally did, I can see what all the fuss is about. The Asphalt Jungle is a thrilling, sharply written crime film that doesn't pull its punches, which is best exemplified in the nature of its lead character, Dix Handley (Hayden), a 6'4" intimidating thug that's a chronic gambler and essentially a killer.

But, as many other similar films have done after, the film succeeds in making us root for Dix by pairing him against more despicable characters. In this case, slimy lawyer Alonzo Emmerich (Louis Calhern), who is not afraid to double-cross Dix and his men. Calhern's performance goes masterfully from confident and cocky to pathetic and pitiful, and it is probably my favorite from the film.

It is worth noting that Marilyn Monroe had a brief but crucial supporting performance as Emmerich's mistress, and she is very good in it ("What about my trip, Uncle Lon?"). The character of the Doc (Jaffe) also offers an interesting balance of heart and soul deep within the "predatory beasts" of this jungle. I might say it works even better than the background they try to give Dix, with the horse farm, which feels a bit forced.

But putting that aside, the real star here is Huston's masterful direction, mood, and atmosphere, and the snappy script. The Asphalt Jungle drags you deep within, along with the predatory beasts as they claw and fight each other, and makes you think: what if they take over?

Grade: 4

[KeyserCorleone]

Now all that's left is for Diehl40 to send a ballot.

[John W Constantine]

DDDDDDIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!! WHERE ARE YOU?????!!!!

[KeyserCorleone]

https://media-proxy.groovyhistory.com/width/800?url=https://media.groovyhistory.com/images/49721af2dbed0f0a8282678c4af2befb.jpg

[Thief]

MILDRED PIERCE
(1945, Curtiz)

https://i.imgur.com/yAD0ftf.jpg


"I've done without a lot of things, including happiness sometimes because I wanted her to have everything. Now I'm losing her."



Parenthood is a challenging thing. We feel committed to the happiness and well-being of our children to the point that we want to provide them with everything. We don't want to see them lacking anything. But how much is enough? That seems to be a question that hangs above the titular character in this film that mixes drama and romance with film noir.

Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford) is a hard-working woman that is torn between her desire to provide for her spoiled daughter, Veda (Ann Blyth), and her relationship with several men. There is Veda's father, Bert (Bruce Bennett), with whom she splits because of infidelities and economic issues. Then there is Monte (Zachary Scott), the young playboy she meets later that might be in it for her money, or maybe something else.

In typical film noir fashion, the film features a broken narrative. We start with Monte being shot by someone and then most of the film is told in flashback as we see what led to that. It is an effective choice that makes us think about the psyche of the different characters and their possible motivations; from Bert to Mildred herself, or maybe someone else.

But putting aside the mystery, what made the film tick for me were the interactions between Mildred and Veda. Crawford is her usual great self, but I was really surprise by how Blyth managed to hold her own against her. Her clashing personalities and attitudes are what make the film feel interesting, and perhaps separate this from other film noir that rely more on mood and atmosphere.

These exchanges and great performances are helped by a neat script and a pretty good direction from Curtiz. All to make a pretty nice package of a film that might keep you guessing until the end. So if you haven't seen Mildred Pierce, make sure you don't lose her.

Grade: 4

[Thief]

GILDA
(1946, Vidor)

https://i.imgur.com/wNUsmSG.jpg


"Gilda, are you decent?"



I first saw The Shawshank Redemption back in late 1994 or early 1995, and it immediately became my favorite film. I've seen it more times than I could count, which means I've seen that famous scene from Gilda more times than I could count, as Red and Andy watch it in prison. The sight of Rita Hayworth coming into frame whipping her hair and smiling as she replies "Me? Sure, I'm decent" always gave me vibes of light melodrama or even comedy. Oh, but what a surprise I got as I finally sat down to watch this 1946 film.

Gilda follows Johnny Farrell (Glenn Ford), a small time gambler that ends up down on his luck in Argentina, which puts him in the path of the titular character (Hayworth) with whom he might have had a past we're not so sure about. To complicate things further, Gilda is now married to Ballin Mundson (George Macready), a shady casino owner that happens to be Johnny's new boss. Will decency prevail among them?

A "decent" person is defined as one that "conforms with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior". But even though Gilda assures her husband that she is, indeed, "decent", the truth is that she spends all the film pushing back against those "standards", which puts her at extreme odds with her husband as well as with Johnny, who has been tasked by Mundson to "keep an eye on her". But Gilda is not having any of that, as she assures Johnny at one point that she's "going to do exactly what I please, when I please".

Although Gilda is often labeled as a romantic drama, the truth is that 85% of the film is Farrell and Gilda just taking jabs at each other as they are each filled with seething hatred. The toxicity of this relationship is quite bleak and probably one of my favorite things on the film. What does that say about me? I don't know, but I really loved seeing these two trying to take down each other. The dialogue and the lines were so pointed and sharp that I couldn't help but gasp and laugh at some of them ("Statistics show that there are more women in the world than anything else. Except insects."). Still, the delivery of these is never light, but extremely serious.

Aside from the script, most of the performances are quite good with Macready and Hayworth topping the list for me. Even though I've never seen any other film from Rita Hayworth, I was quite surprised by her performance and range. The direction from Charles Vidor and the cinematography from Rudolph Maté were also great, with some great camera movement and neat uses of lights and shadows, perhaps to illustrate that "decency", or lack thereof.

If I were to complain about something, it would be the ending. After seeing how harsh and unapologetic the film is, a certain final revelation felt like the writers were all of a sudden pulling their punches. Maybe because they wanted to make the film more accessible, or maybe the Hays Code forced them to change things to make Gilda more "decent", but it felt somewhat forced and apart from the tone and vibe that preceded it. Still, this was a pretty great watch.

Grade: 4.5

[Citizen Rules]

My internet is screwed up and keeps going out. I'll try to check back when I can, but I might not be online much until it's fixed....we're still waiting on Diehl too.

[Diehl40]

My Ballot is in. I did not realize I needed to submit a ballot, and I did not have internet access at my in laws. Sorry for the hold up

[Citizen Rules]

My Ballot is in. I did not realize I needed to submit a ballot, and I did not have internet access at my in laws. Sorry for the hold upNo worries! :)



I will do the reveal of the noms tomorrow.

[John W Constantine]

ETA on those reveals.

[Citizen Rules]

ETA on those reveals.Very soon. I just have to calculate the scores and then I can do the reveal. So hopefully by 10:30 A.M. P.S.T. I should be able to do it.
So kick back and stay tuned...

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net%2F787698735e165a497cae898939ebb14c-650-80.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=5dd995e4969bb3357039dbc3894d304fed6e23caacd8fc237d9eedc9c0f3f521&ipo=images

[Citizen Rules]

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgflip.com%2Fk3lo5.gif&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=1501068d4eb98d04dd337e720994f4bfd9337f21d6b50748875e11bb6c8e2f68&ipo=images

This HoF is on hold, argh!
Someone forgot to include a movie in their ballot.
I'll have to message them and get them to fix it.

[John W Constantine]

Wow.

[Citizen Rules]

Wow.
I got the missing movie ballot from the member and we're back on track! I'm working on calculating the points right now, well not right now as I'm typing:p Should start the reveal soon. I hope:D

[John W Constantine]

Hooray!!

[Thief]

Yeah, it was me.

https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExZTYweXZ3MHBjYmthdDNmajU0c3JieWdzdncxcjV6cmkxdzBqZ2lqYiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfY nlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/3o7aTkJH5vly0Zvec8/giphy.gif

How did I forget that film? I don't know. Especially since it was my #2.

[Citizen Rules]

Good Grief! This took me a loooooong time to get the reveal ready. I've been working on it since I got up, that was over 3 hours ago! But I'm ready...so who's around???

[John W Constantine]

Meeeeeeee!

[seanc]

Me

[Citizen Rules]

Whoops, I missed both of you. I don't see any of the HoF members online right now. Guess I'll wait an hour or two...it's not like I'm going to a New Years Eve party.

[Citizen Rules]

Doing it now!

Thief seanc GulfportDoc rauldc14 Siddon edarsenal PHOENIX74 Diehl40 KeyserCorleone John W Constantine

[John W Constantine]

Lez go!

[Citizen Rules]

https://trailersfromhell.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/4936topHigh.jpg 11th Place
Thieve's Highway (1949)
31 points
Raul

This was a very well directed film and overall I thought the story was told very well. I like the set up where we are introduced to Nick and it's a nice buildup to where he meets Figlia...Raul...doesn't really feel that dark, and the crime itself has minimal stakes so it feels kind of empty in comparison to so many other dramas of the time. Although, I was quite stricken with the "Aren't women wonderful" moment...Keyser

[Citizen Rules]

Not much love for Thieve's Highway but I had it as my number 4.

[Citizen Rules]

https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/130b4cfa-c5c3-4eb0-88a3-7822a3ad770c/bfd9ebf2-2e25-4c09-823e-757ee49105cb.jpg
10th Place

Act of Violence (1948)
45 points
John W. Constantine


This turned out to be a good film to watch first. it is said that it has the typical elements that make for a good opening to a Noir film...DiehlVan Heflin stands out as a man caught and tortured by the tough decisions that are made in the acts of war. A movie that poses a few important questions. JWConstaintine

[Citizen Rules]

Feel free to comment guys! That's what the reveal is all about. I have to say I was shocked to see Act of Violence so low. I figured it was the type of noir that would finish really high. Of course we had a strong field of noms so maybe that's it.

I had it as my #6, I would've scored it higher but too many films that I really loved.

[John W Constantine]

Those two I found solid but they did drop a bit on my ballot.

[Citizen Rules]

I'm having some internet problems...again, argh...so hopefully I can stay online long enough to get this done.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=95943
9th Place
Detour (1945)
47 points
Thief


I saw Detour a couple of years ago when I took an online course on film noir...[It has] most of the more iconic and emblematic motifs in film noir: flashbacks, foggy lighting, canted angles, our lead narrator beaten down and trapped by fate, and a wicked femme fatale. It's all here...Thief

Gosh I really like Ann Savage, I thought she was cute. Especially in the beginning in that screen shot. I have the feeling that her character Vera had been through a lot of pain in her life. As she was dying of tuberculous she had this pragmatic, negative outlook on life, yet I don't think she was evil, just troubled. I believe she could've been helped and Tom Neal 'Al' was an idiot for not taking her up on her offer to spend the night...I mean what does he have to lose at that point?...Citizen

[Citizen Rules]

I really liked Detour and had it as my #3. It did alot on a tiny budget.

[Citizen Rules]

https://i.imgur.com/miWgSe6.png
8th Place
Criss Cross (1949)
49 points
Citizen

...that lady on that bar stool - she seems extraneous, but it was nice having her there (most of the time drunk)...Now and then one of those characters giving out drunken comments and rarely seen away from their seat at a bar comes along - I like 'em (though not in real life.)...Phoenix
Great acting and the movie looks fantastic. It doesn’t quite have the bite I like. Something is missing to elevate this. Definitely could have used more Duryea to start. Villain is certainly underutilized...Sean

[Citizen Rules]

Criss Cross was my nom and a strange rewatch for me. The first time I seen it years ago I thought it was middle of the road noir. The second time I thought the relationship dynamics by the ill fated lovers was fresh and powerful. This time around I still liked it but not as good as I thought...so I'm back to it's middle of the road for me. I had it as my #8 which is pretty low for my own nom!

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=95932
7th Place
Gun Crazy (1950)
59 points
Sean

...the cinematography was unusual and innovative for the time (1949). There was lots of location footage, but what was interesting was how many scenes were shot with the camera in the back seat of a car (they used a stretch limousine), showing the action of the people in the front seat, and observing integral action occurring where they were driving-- a great long take...GulfportDocI would attest that no greater time for American cinema is the 1950's B movies. This is an epic noir told at break neck speed. We go from an characters youth, the story of a young man who steals a gun for protection and fun. We then get the entire life fit nicely into a saga. First we get the love story...We then move on to the life of crime the two shooters engage in. Then you get the big score, incredible chase scenes that make up the entire third act...Siddon

[John W Constantine]

Criss Cross may have been the biggest improvement on these rewatches. The first half is a slow simmer but by the ending its full on.

[Citizen Rules]

Criss Cross may have been the biggest improvement on these rewatches. The first half is a slow simmer but by the ending its full on.That's right, the ending is very memorable. I think it needed abit more time on the crime caper as that happened all so fast.

[John W Constantine]

I loved Gun Crazy this time around. Watched it years ago, forgot how good it was then was reminded on the revisit.

[Citizen Rules]

https://littlemoviereviews.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/mildred-pierce-3-1600x900-c-default-e1562471978669.jpg?w=1080
6th Place
Mildred Pierce (1945)
63 points
KeyserCorleone


The movie has a lot of story to it, but instead of packing it with all the detective crime stuff you can expect in those Mr. Wong movies, we're getting a Jane Austen tale of love, loss, betrayal and everything attached to it. But one of the biggest, and most powerfully heartstring-teasing aspects is the ****ed-up family aspect...Keyser
This was much better than I remember and I already thought highly of it. If the daughter didn't make you want to slap her after seeing this then I believe you have reached a level of non violence zen that I haven't achieved yet...JW Constantine

[Citizen Rules]

I keep thinking that Mildred Pierce was my nom:p Probably because it was my nom in a past HoF and is in my Top 10 movie profile. I had it as my #1 choice.

[Citizen Rules]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/64/79/f4/6479f415b7ef80c1920b2f2d21db0faf.gif
5th Place
Gilda (1946)
78 points
Phoenix

Gilda is going to stick with me. Rita Hayworth's low husky invitations to dance will ring in my ears...PhoenixHayworth and Ford’s chemistry is believable; their Hate-Love-Hate-Love is a captivating, careening ride as the wheels go flying off the tracks...EdarsenalRita Hayworth as Gilda may be my favorite female noir performance of all time and if not it's damn close...RaulA wonderful movie, and I'm a complete Rita Hayworth kind of guy (she's just ahead of Ava Gardner)...GulfportDoc[Rita Hayworth] is a force and extremely sexy, but she also brings a vulnerability that I don't think we see in these movies enough, and is appropriate considering the man she finds herself hitched too...SeanHayworth gives Gilda a sarcastic biting nature that falls away to fragility...Siddon

[Citizen Rules]

I had Gilda at #9 sorry.

[Citizen Rules]

https://idrawonmywall.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/touchofevil_09762_rv_133_01-27.jpg
4th Place
Touch of Evil (1958)
81 points
Siddon

It would be a shame if Touch of Evil was known only for its 3+ minute tracking shot. It was Welles last film within the Hollywood system, and he sought to make the most of it...Diehl40This is often considered the last noir film before the world moved into neo noir movements. Orson Welles had performed and made some other noirs but this was his masterpiece...Siddon

[Citizen Rules]

https://realityisscary.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/aj-hiding-police.jpg?w=604
3rd Place

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
82 points
Edarsenal

This is my nom; it became an instant favorite the first time I saw this, making this around the fifth or so time I watched it. And let me tell ya, it gets -- wait, hold on, FECKEN better each and every time...EdarsenalWhat touched me most was the humanity that these hardened criminals showed each other. I forget which director once said 'every hero should have a flaw and every bad character should have a soft spot.' But apparently John Huston agreed with that idea...Citizen

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=23947&stc=1&d=1454028538
2nd Place

Out of the Past (1947)
91 points
Gulfport Doc

This is a noir’s noir-- one of the greatest examples in the entire movement. Director Jacques Tourneur guides this dark tale of revenge, double cross, and sexual attraction; along with impressive photography by one of the top 3 noir cinematographers, the great Nicholas Musaraca. It’s perfectly cast with Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk Douglas, and Rhonda Fleming, expressing a brilliant script by author/screen writer Daniel Mainwaring...GulfportDoc
https://cdn.britannica.com/59/102859-050-599C5142/Humphrey-Bogart-Sam-Spade-Peter-Lorre-film-1941.jpg
1st Place

The Maltese Falcon (1941)
100 points
Diehl40

One of the earliest films to make use of several Film Noir themes: disillusionment, lurking danger, and moral and official corruption. It was also a very early example of the Femme-Fatale character. it was John Huston's first attempt to direct, and he was nominated for best screenplay for this film...Diehl40

[John W Constantine]

Aww man, I had Asphalt Jungle as my #1. Loved it when I watched it for this. One of the few from this countdown that would flirt with my top 100 at.

[Citizen Rules]

Well that was anticlimactic...my fault I shouldn't have posted the results while you party animals were out celebrating new years eve:p

Congrats to Diehl! for The Maltese Falcon

Thanks everyone for joining:)

[John W Constantine]

Good list, worthy winner and participants.

[KeyserCorleone]

Maltese Falcon deserves credit for inventing the tropes, but while it's a great movie I feel its downfall is the substantial lack of darkness present in comparison to the other films. I honestly expected Touch of Evil or Asphalt Jungle to win.

[Citizen Rules]

Aww man, I had Asphalt Jungle as my #1. Loved it when I watched it for this. One of the few from this countdown that would flirt with my top 100 at.I suspect it should make the Film Noir countdown and finish fairly high. Hopefully this HoF gave some more exposure to some great noirs.

[Citizen Rules]

Maltese Falcon deserves credit for inventing the tropes, but while it's a great movie I feel its downfall is the substantial lack of darkness present in comparison to the other films. I honestly expected Touch of Evil or Asphalt Jungle to win.I was convinced Touch of Evil would win. I'm never good at guessing the results of these HoFs.

[PHOENIX74]

Ahh yes - I had The Maltese Falcon at number one, there was no denying that it was the best film amongst this lot. There were no really bad films amongst all of these nominations though. Looking at my ballot, I even liked the film that had the misfortune of being last. Congrats to Diehl40 and many thanks to Citizen Rules for running a tight, smooth Hall of Fame! Out of the Past was pretty damn good too.

1 - The Maltese Falcon
2 - Gilda
3 - Out of the Past
4 - Touch of Evil
5 - Thieves Highway
6 - Gun Crazy
7 - The Asphalt Jungle
8 - Detour
9 - Mildred Pierce
10 - Act of Violence
11 - Criss Cross

[Citizen Rules]

My ballot, and enjoyed all the noirs nominated, but they all can't be #1

1 Mildred Pierce
2 The Asphalt Jungle
3 Detour
4 Thieves Highway
5 The Maltese Falcon
6 Act of Violence
7 Out of the Past
8 Criss Cross
9 Gilda
10 Gun Crazy
11 Touch of Evil

[John W Constantine]

01 the asphalt jungle
02 the maltese falcon
03 gun crazy
04 mildred pierce
05 criss cross
06 gilda
07 out of the past
08 detour
09 act of violence
10 touch of evil
11 murder, my sweet
12 thieves highway

my unreliable ballot.

[Thief]

This was a pretty flawless lineup. There really aren't any weak ones here.

[Thief]

Here's my ballot, with ratings included...

Out of the Past - 5
The Maltese Falcon - 5
Criss Cross - 4
Gilda - 4.5
The Asphalt Jungle - 4
Mildred Pierce - 4
Murder, My Sweet - 4
Detour - 4
Gun Crazy - 4
Touch of Evil - 4?
Act of Violence - 4
Thieves' Highway - 3

I could probably swap Gilda and Criss Cross, but this is as close as it can be.

[Diehl40]

I had Touch of Evil as my number one.

[GulfportDoc]

Well that was anticlimactic...my fault I shouldn't have posted the results while you party animals were out celebrating new years eve:p
Congrats to Diehl! for The Maltese Falcon
Thanks everyone for joining:)
Thanks for running this thing, CR. It takes a lot of work, and you came through like a champ!

~Doc

[Citizen Rules]

Thanks for running this thing, CR. It takes a lot of work, and you came through like a champ!

~DocThanks Doc, I really appreciate it that.

[rauldc14]

1. Gilda
2. Gun Crazy
3. Out of the Past
4. Maltese Falcon
5. Detour
6. Touch of Evil
7. Mildred Pierce
8. Act of Violence
9. Thieves Highway
10. Criss Cross
11. Asphalt Jungle


Good hall of fame here!