The Third Man

[Lawyer]

Here's one that should be way up the list of film noir. Post World War II Vienna, 1946. It's a dark and gloomy place, especially as filmed by cinematographer Robert Krasker. With the screenplay by Graham Greene, and directed by Carol Reed, you can't miss this one.

The film was released in September, 1949. Orson Welles as Harry Lime is outstanding. Joseph Cotten as Harry's friend is the perfect innocent foil,thinking his good friend Harry has been struck down in a hit and run. Trevor Howard and Bernard Lee (subsequently famous as Bond's "M," provide the perfect law enforcement element. The soundtrack written and played on zither by Anton Karas is the perfect haunting accompaniment.

Turns out Harry wasn't such a nice man, watering down penicillin and selling it on the black market.

Holly was a writer, published in the pulps, westerns mostly. Something's not adding up and he decides to get to the bottom of the situation. But the police think he's in over his head.

Here's the scene between Trevor Howard and Joseph Cotton:

Calloway: Go home Martins, like a sensible chap. You don't know what you're mixing in, get the next plane.
Martins: As soon as I get to the bottom of this, I'll get the next plane.
Calloway: Death's at the bottom of everything, Martins. Leave death to the professionals.
Martins: Mind if I use that line in my next Western?

Eine Kleine Noir Musik, anyone?

[Toby]

excellent novella from Graham Greene too.

interestingly the third Bernie Gunther novel A German Requiem refences the production of this film and if you haven't discovered this great modern noir sequence yet you really should have.

[David]

Tfitoby wrote: "excellent novella from Graham Greene too.

interestingly the third Bernie Gunther novel A German Requiem refences the production of this film and if you haven't discovered this great modern noir se..."

If you're a fan of this film and are ever in Vienna, make sure you take the Third Man tour. It's usually led by a film historian who has made her life's work about this film. Sometimes they even take you down into the Vienna sewer system.

I read Kerr's Berlin Trilogy awhile back. They're very good books, but I must say I found Kerr's language at times awkward, particularly when he's trying to describe sex. Still, his knowledge of history is impressive and comes through in the books.

[Toby]

David wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "excellent novella from Graham Greene too.

interestingly the third Bernie Gunther novel A German Requiem refences the production of this film and if you haven't discovered this grea..."

hey thanks david. we're actually going to vienna in september. exciting addition to the list of things to do!

[David]

Tfitoby wrote: "David wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "excellent novella from Graham Greene too.

interestingly the third Bernie Gunther novel A German Requiem refences the production of this film and if you haven't discov..."

I'm jealous already. We lived in Vienna for a couple of years and there's a lot to do and see. Just exploring the coffee houses can keep you busy (and add to your waistline since every one has a different signature tort). Take your copy of German Requiem and you can track down a lot of the places and see how some have changed and some haven't!