Dave Zeltersman has suggested that I list my ten favorite noir films. My problem is that my choices vary according to my mood. But because several million people have been asking for the list. Here goes.
1. Out of The Past
2. Night and The City
3. The Third Man
4. Kiss Me Deadly
5. The Big Combo
6. Gun Crazy
7. The Anthony Manns-- Desperate Railroaded T-Men Raw Deal
8. Chinatown
9. In A Lonely Place
10. Sweet Smell of Success
Ed, how highly (or not) do you rate Body Heat? I know it came a long time after the classic noirs, but for me, it rises a long way above mere pastiche. A great film, I think. And I can't help loving the portrayal of the lawyer who isn't anything like as clever as he thinks he is.
ReplyDeleteEd: Can't dispute the list, "Out of The Past" is the sure #1.
ReplyDeleteI'd add:
1. Murder My Sweet (1944)-great hardboiled dialog.
2. Night Moves ((1975)-forgotten classic
3. The Big Sleep (1946)-Leigh Brackett script.
4. The Set-Up (1949)-Played in real time.
5. On Dangerous Ground (1951)-best Hard-Nosed cop.
Great topic, can add 25 more....
Detour ... Rififi ... Point Blank ... Double Indemnity ...
ReplyDeleteI never liked "Body Heat" as much as others do, but it did spark a revival.
Double Indemnity and the Postman Always Rings Twice.
ReplyDeletePersonal faves not yet mentioned (I think):
ReplyDelete'The Strange Love of Martha Ivers'
'Detour'--cheap, weird, and minimal
'Crossfire'
'Laura'
A great genre that's either disappeared or ill-used nowadays!
Additional personal faves not mentioned...
ReplyDeleteSUNSET BOULEVARD
ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW