Your favourite Noir films?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Film General
Maddyclassicfilms — 9 years ago(February 08, 2017 06:32 AM)
Noir is one of my favourite film genres(please, no debates about whether it's really considered a style or genre, we could be here for years.)
I love watching these films more than any other, great stories and memorable characters; Noir characters are flawed characters, and they prove that we're not good, sunny and bubbly like Doris Day; we have equal doses of good and bad within us.
From the thrilling mysteries, distinctive lighting/look, to the tough guys and gals, world weary Private Detectives, cynics and femme fatales, Noir films have something for everyone.
What are your favourite Noir films? I love the following the most.
Farewell My Lovely
(1944)
The Dark Corner
(1946)
Pickup on South Street
(1953)
The Narrow Margin
(1952)
Double Indemnity
(1944)
The Big Combo
(1955)
This Gun For Hire
(1942)
The Maltese Falcon
(1941)
T-Men
(1947)
Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly
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CanterburyTale — 9 years ago(February 08, 2017 09:57 AM)
Maddy, I must admit that I am often a little unsure as to what is considered a 'Noir' and what is not. Any B&W Crime film on TV is described as one in the listings nowadays, so forgive me if some on my list don't strictly come under that particular heading.
I totally agree with your choices, although I have never seen T Men or The Big Combo. Here goes
Stranger On The Third Floor
Woman In The Window
Somewhere In The Night
Crossfire
The Long Memory
Kiss Of Death
Detour (the ending is absolutely startling)
"Barney SloaneThat's my new nameMy old one's a little more Italian." -
Maddyclassicfilms — 9 years ago(February 08, 2017 11:37 AM)
I know, that's another debate that could last forever lol. I highly recommend both
The T-Men
and
The Big Combo
to you.
I love
The Long Memory
, I dearly wish Mills had got more roles like this. He's also good in two other Brit Noirs,
The October Man
and
The Vicious Circle
.
Stranger on the Third Floor
is fantastic, Noir meets German Expressionism. Peter Lorre is terrific lurking in the shadows.
Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly
. -
CanterburyTale — 9 years ago(February 08, 2017 03:23 PM)
Maddy,The Long Memory is probably my favourite John Mills film, but I love The October Man! Vicious Circle is a neat little mystery too.If you haven't already seen them, I can also recommend 2 other John Mills crime dramas,
Mr.Denning Drives North
and
Town On Trial
.
"Barney SloaneThat's my new nameMy old one's a little more Italian." -
Oleg123 — 9 years ago(February 08, 2017 12:24 PM)
Doubt anyone can argue that your choices are noir
Usually it has to be a film made btween 1940 and 1958 that is BW, mostly takes place in the dark, at night, has flowed characters, and you see a crime commited, and usually know who did it from the start. Its not a whodoneit. A femme fatale is desirable, but not essential. -
MsELLERYqueen2 — 9 years ago(February 08, 2017 11:48 AM)
Probably the last time I'll get to answer this question on IMDb, so here goes:
Laura
Where the Sidewalk Ends
The Woman in the Window
The Window
The Verdict (1946)
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
The House on Telegraph Hill
In a Lonely Place
On Dangerous Ground
Double Indemnity
The Man Who Cheated Himself
Pushover
Elevator to the Gallows (French)
Night Train (Polish)
and some others.Proud to be Canadian! -
jxh13 — 9 years ago(February 08, 2017 12:10 PM)
I count myself a fan of the genre, as well, and have enjoyed quite a few over the years. The definition is somewhat nebulous. My absolute favorites, more or less in order:
The Big Sleep
Night of the Hunter
Out of the Past
The Maltese Falcon
Chinatown
Double Indemnity
Sweet Smell of Success
Sunset Boulevard -
Oleg123 — 9 years ago(February 08, 2017 12:29 PM)
I think over the years I started preferring foreign noirs to American.
Be they British (Carol Reed, Michael Powell), Mexican (Julio Branco, Roberto Calvadon (his Kneeling Goddess and La Otra are especially mezmorazing), or even Argentinan (several great noirs, particularly their version of 'M'), and to some degree French. (Louis Malle in particular, and Dassin faired better in France than in Hollywood) -
misspaddylee — 9 years ago(February 08, 2017 01:13 PM)
Here's my top 10 list, made some while ago (alphabetized).
The Big Combo
Black Angel
The Blue Dahlia
Born to Kill
Gun Crazy
Murder, My Sweet
No Man of Her Own
On Dangerous Ground
Raw Deal
Road House
"What seems to be trouble, Captain?" -
misspaddylee — 9 years ago(February 08, 2017 03:41 PM)
How nice of you to remember. We've had some fun gabs over the years.
I've slipped away these past few months, but it wasn't intentional. Just - life. I could never have envisioned a time when these boards would be no more.
"What seems to be trouble, Captain?" -
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dreadon — 9 years ago(February 08, 2017 06:37 PM)
Miss Paddy, I remember you from the "What movies did you see last week LITE" threads. Earlier I was trying to remember the names of the regular posters and for the life of me I just could not remember any of them. Although once I saw your post here it came back to me like a flash of light.
I hope you are doing well and land happily on another forum. And thank you for all the insights and recommendations you have provided over the years.
They say hindsight is 2020.the election I can hardly wait for, dump the twitter twerp. -
misspaddylee — 9 years ago(February 11, 2017 04:12 PM)
I recall you from those LITE threads as well. It was a pleasant way to get to know some nice folks.
I've been writing a classic movie blog (caftanwoman.com) for the last few years and have gotten to know even more fascinating movie fans. Check out the Classic Movie Blog Association for a lot of good reading, if you have the time and inclination.
I hope that life is treating you kindly.
"What seems to be trouble, Captain?" -
Aloysius_von_der_Trenck — 9 years ago(February 08, 2017 01:38 PM)
Many of my favourites have already been mentioned here and I don't like repetitions.
A masterpiece:
Louis Malle's
Ascenseur pour l'échafaud
('Elevator to the Gallows') (1958)
Another French film: Jacques Becker's
Touchez pas au grisbi (1954)
('Honour Among Thieves' in the UK, sometimes). I never get tired of watching it. A superb Jean Gabin as a mature man ('Max le Menteur') just a few days before he turned 50.