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Out of the Shadows: Expanding the Canon of Classic Film Noir
Film noir was a cycle in American cinema which first came into prominence during World War II, peaked in the 1950s, and began to taper off as a definable trend by 1960. Over the years, a group of films from the period emerged as noir standards, beginning with Stranger on the Third Floor in 1940. However, since film noir is too wide-ranging, it cannot be kept within the narrow limits of the official canon that has been established by film historians. Consequently, several neglected movies made during the classic noir period need to be re-evaluated as noir films.
In Out of the Expanding the Canon of Classic Film Noir , Gene Phillips provides an in-depth examination of several key noir films, including acknowledged masterpieces like Laura , The Maltese Falcon , Sunset Boulevard , and Touch of Evil , as well as films not often associated with film noir like Spellbound , A Double Life , and Anatomy of a Murder . Phillips also examines overlooked or underappreciated films such as Song of the Thin Man , The Glass Key , Ministry of Fear , and Act of Violence . Also considered in this reevaluation are significant neo-noir films, among them Chinatown , Hammett , L.A. Confidential , and The Talented Mr. Ripley .
In his analyses, Phillips draws upon a number of sources, including personal interviews with directors and others connected with their productions, screenplays, and evaluations of other commentators. Out of the Shadows explores not only the most celebrated noir films but offers new insight into underrated films that deserve reconsideration. Of interest to film historians and scholars, this volume will also appeal to anyone who wants a better understanding of the works that represent this unique cycle in American filmmaking.
In Out of the Expanding the Canon of Classic Film Noir , Gene Phillips provides an in-depth examination of several key noir films, including acknowledged masterpieces like Laura , The Maltese Falcon , Sunset Boulevard , and Touch of Evil , as well as films not often associated with film noir like Spellbound , A Double Life , and Anatomy of a Murder . Phillips also examines overlooked or underappreciated films such as Song of the Thin Man , The Glass Key , Ministry of Fear , and Act of Violence . Also considered in this reevaluation are significant neo-noir films, among them Chinatown , Hammett , L.A. Confidential , and The Talented Mr. Ripley .
In his analyses, Phillips draws upon a number of sources, including personal interviews with directors and others connected with their productions, screenplays, and evaluations of other commentators. Out of the Shadows explores not only the most celebrated noir films but offers new insight into underrated films that deserve reconsideration. Of interest to film historians and scholars, this volume will also appeal to anyone who wants a better understanding of the works that represent this unique cycle in American filmmaking.
322 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 11, 2022
While the author is famous in many circles, he was new to me. I didn't realize until the final chapter that he is a Catholic Priest. The Hays Code and censorship by the Catholic League of Decency was responsible for much of the incoherent morality of film noir, and its popularity in Catholic countries like France and Italy, so I should not have been surprised.
In the course of reading Phillips, I checked out two of his nominees: The Stranger and Ministry of Fear. Both were based on the on-going threat of fascism / Nazism. The banality of evil and the lengths to which familiar and otherwise reasonable people will go, not only to deny their immorality but to protest that their immorality and illegal activities transcend laws and morals remain a frighteningly relevant theme.
In the course of reading Phillips, I checked out two of his nominees: The Stranger and Ministry of Fear. Both were based on the on-going threat of fascism / Nazism. The banality of evil and the lengths to which familiar and otherwise reasonable people will go, not only to deny their immorality but to protest that their immorality and illegal activities transcend laws and morals remain a frighteningly relevant theme.
August 8, 2020
I ended up skimming this book for the parts that interested me once I realized that it is basically a summary of the plots of these movies. There are some 'making of' tidbits, but this book just wasn't what I was looking for.
January 24, 2013
Excellent in depth, yet accessible study of the subject.
April 8, 2015
Interesting if a bit academic in tone.
October 20, 2019
Helped me discover A Double Life, which would've likely happened anyway. Poor style, obvious film choices mostly. Adds little of worth to the conversation
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews