i love trouble

7:00 PM

Franchot Tone plays wisecracking private eye Stuart Bailey, sleuthing his way through a bevy of treacherous dames in this playful homage to Raymond Chandler. Chandler didn't find it so playful—he threatened to bring a lawsuit against future TV legend Roy Huggins (77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, The Fugitive), A whirlwind of plot swirling through dozens of West Coast locations, with Janet Blair, Janis Carter, Adele Jergens, Glenda Farrell, John Ireland, Tom Powers, and Raymond Burr. The 35mm print was originally struck expressly for NOIR CITY 5.

Originally released January 15, 1948. Columbia [Sony Pictures], 93 minutes. Screenplay by Roy Huggins, based on his novel The Double Take. Produced and directed by S. Sylvan Simon.

Jimmy Stewart gives a terrific performance as P.J. McNeal, a Chicago newspaper reporter determined to free a convicted killer (Richard Conte) he believes has been unfairly imprisoned for eleven years. The first Hollywood feature to be shot entirely on location in Chicago, Call Northside 777 boasts fantastic cinematography by Joseph MacDonald, and stellar supporting performances by Conte, Lee J. Cobb, and Helen Walker. Winner of the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Motion Picture of 1948. First time at NOIR CITY!

Originally released February 18, 1948. 20th Century–Fox, 112 minutes. Screenplay by Jerome Cady and Jay Dratler, based on news articles by James P. McGuire. Produced by Otto Lang. Directed by Henry Hathaway.

THEY LIVE BY NIGHT

7:00 PM

One of Hollywood's great directorial debuts is a deeply-felt, richly detailed adaptation of Anderson's classic depression-era novel—a crime story that's really about love struggling to survive in a cruel, unforgiving world. Farley Granger and Cathy O'Donnell are memorable as film noir's version of Romeo and Juliet, surrounded by menacing supporting players Howard Da Silva, Jay C. Flippen, and Helen Craig. First released overseas, the film didn't get a wide release in the U.S. until late 1948. It's now considered one the finest noir films ever made.

Originally released August, 1948 (London). RKO Radio Pictures [Warner Bros.], 95 minutes. Screenplay by Charles Schnee and Nicholas Ray, from the novel Thieves Like Us by Edward Anderson. Produced by John Houseman. Directed by Nicholas Ray.

Relentlessly romantic optimist Frank Borzage is the last director you'd expect to turn out an effective film noir, but this brilliantly directed drama was his sound-era masterpiece. Dane Clark gives a bruised and brooding performance as a young man convinced that his father's "bad blood" has sealed his miserable fate. Can he be saved by the love of angelic Gail Russell? Featuring strong supporting performances by Ethel Barrymore, Rex Ingram, Lloyd Bridges, and Harry Morgan.

Restored 35mm print courtesy of UCLA Film and Television Archive

Originally released October 1, 1948. Republic Pictures, 90 minutes. Screenplay by Charles F. Haas, based on the novel by Theodore Strauss. Produced by Charles F. Haas. Directed by Frank Borzage.

raw deal

7:30 PM

Social worker Marsha Hunt and gangster's moll Claire Trevor duke it out for the soul of homme fatal Dennis O'Keefe in this rambunctious display of quintessential noir pulp. O'Keefe busts out of the slammer determined to get even with shyster gang-boss Raymond Burr, who wants O'Keefe dead before he reaches his San Francisco hideout. Stunning images by legendary cinematographer John Alton make this arguably the most visually stylish noir of them all. As Eddie likes to say, it's "Pure Pulp for Noir People."

Originally released May 26, 1948. Eagle-Lion Films, 79 minutes. Screenplay by John C. Higgins and Leopold Atlas, based on the story "Corkscrew Alley" by Arnold Armstrong and Audrey Ashley. Produced by Edward Small. Directed by Anthony Mann.

In this landmark noir, a psychotic loner (Richard Basehart) uses his genius for electronics to commit robberies while evading the police. When he graduates to murder, L.A.'s finest, including Scott Brady and methodical Jack Webb (who was immediately inspired to create Dragnet), pull out a few modern manhunting techniques of their own. The desperate hunt tracks the killer through—and beneath—cityscapes stunningly photographed by the great John Alton. Don't miss this classic in all its 35mm glory!

Originally released November 24, 1948. Eagle­Lion Films, 79 minutes. Screenplay by John C. Higgins, from a story by Crane Wilbur. Produced by Bryan Foy and Robert Kane. Directed by Alfred Werker and Anthony Mann.