In honor the Duo Double Feature Blogathon, I revisit the works of icons Robert Mitchum and Jane Russell. Their chemistry in films, His Kind of Woman (1951) and Macao (1952) lit up the screen like few duos ever have. Full essay here.
Film Noir Archive
Remembering Elisha Cook, Jr.
Few actors played losers with such reckless abandon. In honor of the What a Character! Blogathon, I revisit the life and career of one of my personal favorites, Elisha Cook, Jr., also known as “The Lightest Heavy in Hollywood.” Full essay here.
Movie Review: Lady in the Lake (1947)
An oddity in the Philip Marlowe canon, this first-person narrative is a dark plunge into the seedy holiday season of Los Angeles. And Audrey Totter’s piercing eyes. Click here!
Movie Review: The Girl Hunters (1963)
A gritty take on the classic detective, The Girl Hunters benefits from the starring presence of creator-turned-actor Mickey Spillane. It’s undeniably cheap in spots, but Spillane’s Mike Hammer makes for a groveling guilty pleasure. Read the full review here!
Movie Review: The Black Dahlia (2006)
Based on James Ellroy’s seminal novel, The Black Dahlia suffered a rough production history before finally hitting theaters in 2006. Sadly, director Brian De Palma and company fall flat with this tepid throwback noir. Read the full review here!
Movie Review: Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
One of the strangest films noir ever concocted, this 1955 outing barrels full speed ahead in creativity. Weaving an exaggerated world of cons and killers, Kiss Me Deadly finds Mike Hammer hot on the trail of the infamous “great whatzit.” Read the full review here!
Movie Review: He Walked By Night (1948)
One of the many “docu-noir” pictures made during the late 40’s, He Walked By Night surpasses its peers on the strength of cinematographer John Alton and ghost director Anthony Mann. Read the full review here!
Movie Review: Phantom Lady (1944)
A salivating visual showcase, Phantom Lady is a terrific case of style enhancing the substance of a final product. Directed by noir specialist Robert Siodmak (The Killers, Criss Cross), it is a film that has to be seen to be fully believed. Read the full review here!
Movie Review: The Driver (1978)
Stylish, still, and stunning, Walter Hill’s 1978 masterpiece is an unsung hero of the neon-noir generation. An adaptation of Le Samurai (1967) and precursor to 2011’s Drive, its a film that deserves a detailed reappraising in the modern age. Read the full review here!
Movie Review: The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Film Noir 101: The Maltese Falcon. Since its release in 1941, its proven to be the mecca of modern crime, a stylish brew of grit and shadowed seduction. For a more in-depth discussion of the film’s greatness, read the full review right here!
Danilo Writes 