Tag Archive
Thieves’ Highway (1949)
The name Jules Dassin is not widely known, except to certain movie goers and film scholars, in no small part due to the rather small number of films he directed. But Dassin was not a tragic figure who died too young — his output, including director, writer, producer and even actor — is spread over… »
Old Acquaintance (1943)
An unexpectedly stylish comedy, underpinned by a hen-pecked husband and deliriously egomaniacal wife, Old Acquaintance (1943) zips along like a bubbly champagne slipping down the back of the throat, occasionally going the wrong way causing a serious cough or two. Vincent Sherman was relatively new to directing, having joined Warner Bros in 1939 directing, as… »
The Great Lie (1941)
In The Great Lie (1941), dashing Pete Van Allen (George Brent) is an ace flyer … and playboy society drunk. On a bender, he hooks up with snooty upper class concert pianist Sandra Kovak (Mary Astor); before the night is over, they are married… »
Railroaded! (1947)
Anthony Mann is often cited as one of the key budget film noir directors whose work helped define the style. Railroaded! (1947) surprises by its deftness, tautness and credible story telling. From top to bottom, here’s a first rate example of what can be done with… »
The Long Night (1947)
In The Long Night (1947), Henry Fonda plays an anti-hero in a genuine film noir: a recently returned serviceman from WWII, shoots and kills a travelling magician (Price) in the opening scene… »