on your radar

[Jill H.]

Thanks, Betsy. What title..........Contraband or Blackout?

[Betsy]

Contraband

[Betsy]

Contraband. I can see why the US name is Blackout since there are quite few scenes in the dark.

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

Reminder to self: hard-boiled French Crime

PÉPÉ LE MOKO (Julien Duvivier, 1937)
GOUPI MAINS ROUGES (Jacques Becker, 1943)
QUAI DES ORFÈVRES (Henri-Georges Clouzot, 1947)
RIPTIDE (Yves Allégre, 1949)
CASQUE D'OR (Jacques Becker, 1952)
THE WAGES OF FEAR (Henri-Georges Clouzot, 1952)
WE ARE ALL MURDERERS (André Cayatte, 1952)
TOUCHEZ PAS AU GRISBI (Jacques Becker, 1954)
BOB LE FLAMBEUR (Jean-Pierre Melville, 1955)
DIABOLIQUE (Henri-Georges Clouzot, 1955)
RIFIFI (Jules Dassin, 1955)
A MAN ESCAPED (Robert Bresson, 1956)
ELEVATOR TO THE GALLOWS (Louis Malle, 1957)
BREATHLESS (Jean-Luc Godard, 1959)
EYES WITHOUT A FACE (Georges Franju, 1959)
PICKPOCKET (Robert Bresson, 1959)
CLASSE TOUS RISQUES (Claude Sautet, 1960)
PURPLE NOON (René Clément, 1960)
LA VÉRITÉ (Henri-Georges Clouzot, 1960)
LE DOULOS (Jean-Pierre Melville, 1962)
LE TONTONS FLINGUEURS (Georges Lautner, 1963)
BAND OF OUTSIDERS (Jean-Luc Godard, 1964)
PIERROT LE FOU (Jean-Luc Godard, 1965)
THE THIEF OF PARIS (Louis Malle, 1967)
MISSISSIPPI MERMAID (François Truffaut, 1969)
LA PISCINE (Jacques Deray, 1969)
THE SICILIAN CLAN (Henri Verneuil, 1969)
BORSALINO (Jacques Deray, 1970)
LE CERCLE ROUGE (Jean-Pierre Melville, 1970)
UN FLIC (Jean-Pierre Melville, 1972)
THE CLOCKMAKER (Bertrand Tavernier, 1974)
POLICE PYTHON 357 (Alain Corneau, 1976)
COUP DE TORCHON (Bertrand Tavernier, 1981)
GARDE À VUE (Claude Miller, 1981)

I score only 11/34

[David]

Good list. Seen all but We Are All Murderers and It Happened at the Inn. There are dozens more that should be on the list especially from the 60's and 70s.

[Jill H.]

I have also seen several of these films and enjoyed them. There are a few with which I am unfamiliar but I am going to look them up to get an idea of their plot and actors.

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

I just noticed Peter Van Eyck is one of the men in Clouzot's "Wages of Fear". Did not recall him at all until just now.

I'm deliberately not reading up on his background because I dig how menacing a figure he is --and not knowing mundane life details adds to the game.

He was the lead male in "Station Six Sahara" --never would have assumed it from the posters which much more so, emphasized Carol Baker. Such a dour, leaden screen presence he has. Makes sense he would not be in the poster art.

Impressive film literacy by David https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
32/34! Outstanding.

On the other hand, what a wanton reprobate. Voyeurism in its most manifest form. Possibly a sign of repressed criminal tendency, in this apparently innocuous movie-buff. Have to keep an eye on this bloke.

As for the '60s & '70s I agree but I also suspect the seamier, sleazier, Italian crime trend came to the fore. What was that genre called? Like, the Italian version of our Joe Don Baker muscle-car movies?

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

Bodu Saved from Drowning (1932), Jean Renoir

I see its available online but ...no subtitles! I need subtitles

Same as 'Elevator to the Gallows'. How does Criterion version of a flick, (it even has English credits) not include subtitles?

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

I realize now that I've never seen David Niven in 'Separate Tables'

[Jill H.]

I think you will be impressed with his performance.

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

Ty. He's said to have only played a 'baddie' only three times in his career. I've never seen him in any such negative role so far. This will be my first experience of such a thing.

I do admire him quite a lot--he's one of those stars who is thoroughly reliable. To name even one Niven movie which ever struck me as 'weak', I'd really have to think hard.

Maybe only the one where he, Leslie Caron, and Theodore Bikel were trekking through the jungle. Otherwise, he is always fun to watch no matter what he's cast in. He's a trooper.

As for this flick in particular, I've always avoided it due to the title --it is named so similarly to some other 'something ...Tables' movie which I have it in mind, to greatly dislike. Some kind of 'fun for the whole family ' film like "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" or something.

Maybe I'm thinking that the Jon Voight movie was a remake. "Table for Five". Somehow its in my head that this was a remake of a '40s-'50s family movie and that David Niven was in it playing a dad-type. Thus --as I didn't want to see Voight cast in a role owned by Niven -- I've long shunned all movies with 'Table' in the name.

[Jill H.]

Well, I finally watched Corridor of Mirrors (1948) that was mentioned by Feliks. What a strange film! It is a mix of fantasy and horror and stars Eric Portman. He does a terrific job as a very spooky guy. I was unfamiliar with the leading lady but saw Christopher Lee in a bit part and his film debut.

Unfortunately, the sound was rather muffled and I'm sure I missed some of the dialogue but certainly got enough of it to understand the gist of the story. I enjoyed it but wish I had seen a version with better audio.

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

Hurrah!

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

external reviews:

Artist Eric Portman is ecstatic when he meets Edana Romney, the spitting image of a 400-year old portrait stashed in his home, along with dressmaker's forms sporting lavish period costumes. And then Portman’s number one fan is found strangled next to the slashed portrait. Debut of the original Bond director (Dr. No) — and Christopher Lee. 1:30, 5:30, 9:30

“Recherché bosh. Devotees of high camp will dine out for months on this one. It's overstuffed Grand Guignol, but a hoot and a half.” – Elliott Stein, Village Voice

“They don’t come stranger.” – David Shipman

“One of the most unique British films of the '40s and virtually unclassifiable. Recognizably influenced by films as diverse as La Belle et la Bete and Brief Encounter; a strange film, lyrical, romantic, sometimes quite moving.” – William K. Everson

[Betsy]

Next Saturday night and Sunday morning, TCM will be showing 'The Set-Up' (1949) which stars two favorites: Robert Ryan and Audrey Totter. Have never seen it so I am looking forward to it.

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

Conrad Veidt in "The Hands of Orlac" (1924, silent) is available on public domain

https://publicdomainmovie.net/movie/t...

As I get it, this is the basis for the later Peter Lorre movie, "Mad Love" (1935)

[Jill H.]

Betsy wrote: "Next Saturday night and Sunday morning, TCM will be showing 'The Set-Up' (1949) which stars two favorites:

I hate boxing and boxing films but this one is an exception. The two leading actors, Ryan and Totter, are so excellent but we already know how good they are. The fight is tough to watch and it is obvious the Ryan has boxed before since he doesn't have a double. I will be surprised if you don't like this picture. It is a real classic of the noir genre.

@Feliks.............you are right about The Hands of Orlac being remade (or close to it) with Peter Lorre. The Veidt film is now on my radar. Thanks for the tip.

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

Right on. Anything made in Vienna in 1924 is worth our notice. During this period, this capital of Austria was under an interim government known as 'Red' Vienna because it was communist. No one likes to recognize the fact, but pound-for-pound it is still the most successful government in all of world history. The tale-of-the-tape attests. Arts and sciences exploded: every leading intellect was present: Einstein, Freud, Zweig, Romain Rolland, Camus, Sartre. Thus, we see the early beginnings of Fritz Lang.

[Laura]

Betsy wrote: "Next Saturday night and Sunday morning, TCM will be showing 'The Set-Up' (1949) which stars two favorites: Robert Ryan and Audrey Totter. Have never seen it so I am looking forward to it."

I hope you enjoyed it. The scene where they shoot upwards towards Totter tearing up the paper is well done.

[Betsy]

Thanks, Laura. As I said, I'm looking forward to it. Eddie Muller considers it to be the best boxing movie.

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

I'm on the hunt for another early work of Peter Sellers. Short film, approx 33 mins. Very difficult to locate.

"The Case of the Mukkinese Battle-Horn".

Full of Scotland Yard hijinks. Sellers develops some of his "to-become-famous-later" detective mannerisms, in this experimental Goons movie

The flick is shot in the innovative, "Schizophren-O-Scope"

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

I notice that "He Walked by Night" is available on public domain.

I have either seen it --seen most of it --or seen parts of it; but either way, I need a re-visit.

I suspect I continually confuse it with "Follow Me Quietly" and I want to sort out the difference exactly

[Jill H.]

I've seen that film, Feliks. The star of the show is cinematographer, Robert Alton with whom I am particularly impressed. Much of the film, of course, is shot at night and Alton's use of shadows is just amazing.

The story is pretty basic but interesting and Richard Basehart, who was a rather odd looking actor, is fine in the part of the killer. I hope you enjoy it.

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

H'umm. He's sure better looking than I am!

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

My advisor on '20s & '30s movies steers me to a few more:

Fritz Lang: "Spies"
Fritz Lang: "Destiny" (the fave film of Alfred Hitchcock]

I was unaware of the merits of either of these. Vaguely heard of --vaguely seen the poster for 'Spies'

Abel Gance: "J’accuse"

[Jill H.]

In Spione(Spies). Lang again uses Rudolf Kleine-Rogge as the villain. He was in the Mabuse films and Metropolis. I haven't seen this film but I guess it is available someplace.

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

Searching for what is reputed to be one of Dan Duryea's finest westerns --> 'The Bounty Killer'.

[Betsy]

If you're not busy tonight, TCM is showing, 'Touchez Pas au Grisbis' (1954)) with the great Jean Gabin as a man who wants to make one last big score so he can retire. An important character is his friend Riton who is kidnapped, threatening the outcome of the plan.

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

I feel I have not yet ever seen "Touchez pas au grisbi"(1954) because I've confused it too often, with several other French noirs which it superficially resembles. But:

The author of the source novel, Albert Simonin, is not the same author as the very famous Georges Simenon; who wrote so many other French noirs.

The cabaret scenes are not the famous cabaret scenes in 'Rififi' (1955, dir by Jules Dassin).

The lead character of "Touchez pas au grisbi" may be played with icy grimness, may physically resemble the character of 'Rififi' (named 'Tony Stephanous') may be played by actor Jean Gabin who resembles actor Jean Servais (who plays his 'Rififi' gunman in the same vein); the two protagonists may be in similar plot predicaments ...but they are not the same movie.

"Touchez pas au grisbi" is also not the same movie as "Bob Le Flambeur" (1956) by director Jean-Pierre Melville and starring Roger Duchesne; another actor who physically resembles both the two other stars mentioned above and also features French nightclub-French cabaret-French casino footage. These are not the same movie even though --again --it is the tale of an aging gangland figure yearning to make "one last score".

So: I haven't see this flick and need to correct the lack. Ouffff.

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

Dan Duryea & Jayne Mansfield in, 'The Burglar'. Quite late in Duryea's career. But this picture is rated very highly by pulp fans.

https://youtu.be/cVtB9BxEZ7I

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

the four films of Jean Vigo (for whom the coveted French award is named after) are available on line, free to view.

Two are perfunctory (documentaries) but "L'Atalante" is said to still reign as an all-time French masterpiece. "Zero for Conduct" is also esteemed.

[Jill H.]

I have seen L'Atalante but will be looking for Zero ........ Thanks for the tip;

[Magnus]

Last night I rewatched Akira Kurosawa's 'To Live' for the first time in 20 years or so. Like a number of his films with contemporary setting (I live in Fear, The Lower Depths, The Bad Swell Well) it's never been a favourite of mine. I thought it was really overlong and quite mawkish. Well, last night I watched the stellar looking new BFI restauration on my biggish screen (I have a projector) and the result was radically better. While I still think it's a tad too long (at 2 hrs 20 mins) the experience was rather moving. Recently Bill Nighy starred in a remake which I have no desire to see. But I'll defenitally fancy a Kurosawa re-watch season.

[Betsy]

I tend to prefer the 'historical' ones myself, except for a few which I haven't been able to see like 'High and Low'.

[Jill H.]

I also like the historical ones much better. But have to admit that i haven't seen a lot of the "modern" ones.

Re: L' Atalante mentioned above; It was an interesting film but I'm not sure why it is considered, as Feliks noted, an all-time French masterpiece. I may need to see it again to fully appreciate it.

[Magnus]

Betsy wrote: "I tend to prefer the 'historical' ones myself, except for a few which I haven't been able to see like 'High and Low'."

'High and Low' and 'Stray Dog' I actually liked a lot, the former being an adaptation of an Ed McBain hard boiled novel (from his 87th precinct series). The presmise to totally compelling, and in fact Spike Lee just made a remake with Denzel Washington that I'm very much looking forward to watching some time in the future.

[Magnus]

Jill wrote: "Re: L' Atalante mentioned above; It was an interesting film but I'm not sure why it i..."

I had a similar experience with it but enjoyed it a lot more the second time round. It's probably quite important to watch a well-restored version as the location photography is quite something, and the fact that the cast are unknowns (perhaps even non-professionals) gives it a cinema verité feeling that's quite ahead of its time - more like Italian neo-realism.

[Jill H.]

I will take you advice, Magnus, and take a look at it again. It often happens that a film seems so much better at a second viewing.

[Magnus]

Jill wrote: "I will take you advice, Magnus, and take a look at it again. It often happens that a film seems so much better at a second viewing."

Keep us posted in that case :)

[Jill H.]

I certainly will, Magnus.

[Magnus]

Anthony Mann is easily one of my favourite American directors, and I finally got a chance to re-watch his Noir classic 'Side Street' (1949).
In the 40s, before he started his western cycle, most of his iconic Noirs (Raw Deal, T-Men, Border Incident and his Noir-Costume Drama 'The Black Book') were shot by DOP wunderkind John Alton. The DOP of 'Side Street', however, is Joseph Ruttenberg, one of MGM's top lensers, and a lot of the shot is Manhatten location work - it's absolutely stunning.
The story (Farley Granger, a decent guy, takes one misstep and things go haywire) doesn't re-invent the wheel but the script is full of incident and brings even the characters with the shortest screen time to life. Highy recommended.
I can't believe Anthony Mann is still so underrated.

[Jill H.]

Agreed!! Plus I was surprised to see Paul Kelly as a police officer since he usually played a crook. Some familiar faces in supporting roles and Granger plays well with his co-star, Kathy O'Donnell. I think this is the second time they have acted together.

I am a huge fan of DOP John Alton but was very impressed with the photography of Ruttenberg

[Magnus]

Jill wrote: "Agreed!! Plus I was surprised to see Paul Kelly as a police officer since he usually played a crook. Some familiar faces in supporting roles and Granger plays well with his co-star, Kathy O'Donnell..."

You're right. O'Donnell and Granger were the ill-fated lovers in Nicolas Ray's debut 'They Live By Night' (1948).

[Jill H.]

I always thought that Ann Savage was overlooked after seeing her in the cult classic Detour (1945). So I am now looking for Apology for Murder (1945) another low budget film in which she stars with Hugh Beaumont (gulp)!

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

Richard Harris in, "This Sporting Life" is available free. I like Lindsay Anderson flicks so I will give it a try.

[Jill H.]

I found Apology for Murder (1945), as noted above, and I watched it last night. It is a total rip-off of Double Indemnity and they were actually going to name it Single Indemnity!! A restraining order put a halt to that. Released by the poverty row studio, PRC, it is exactly what you would expect.......cheap sets, corny dialogue and all the things that make us love poverty row films.

Ann Savage is lovely and oh so evil and does a great job. Hugh Beaumont, on the other hand, barely passes muster as the fool who gets sucked into her plan to kill her husband. It is cheap and chintzy and I really enjoyed it........go figure.

[Betsy]

I like that about the 'Single Indemnity' name!

[Feliks, Co-Moderator]

"The Sea Shall Not Have Them" --looks like a good WWII action-rescue, based on a true story. B&W. Dirk Bogarde and Michael Redgrave. I'm gonna check it out sometime.


"Conduct Unbecoming" --seems like something in the vein of 'Breaker Morant' which I adore. Christopher Plummer, Michael York, and ..Stacy Keach!?

[Jill H.]

I have seen The Sea Shall Not Have Them (1954) and it is well worth watching, Feliks.

[Jill H.]

Betsy wrote: "I like that about the 'Single Indemnity' name!"

This film follows almost exactly Double Indemnity even to the end when Fred MacMurray is shot and dictating his confession, except that Hugh Beaumont is typing his. I really don't know how PRC got away with copying this film. At least they couldn't use that stupid title.