I am looking for film noir movies I can
watch--especially with a femme fatale who ends up
being the criminal the gumshoe is looking for. an
Oedipus type deal.
The Maltese Falcon is likely the ultimate example of "femme fatale turns out to be the criminal" (who killed his partner.)
In the Big Sleep, the murderer turns out to be the femme fatale's sister (also sort of a femme fatale.) I recommend also reading the book if you use this, since the movie is incomprehensible without it.
I created a film noir collage play last year that meant I watched over 200 noirs/neo-noirs in a very short time . . . some classic noirs not mentioned yet that are somewhat close to what you ask for . . .
OUT OF THE PAST THE KILLERS (1946 version) MILDRED PIERCE NOCTURNE CRISS CROSS CRY DANGER THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI
Actually, of the anywhere from 400-800 films agreed on by Noir fanatics to be "real Noir," less than 20 involve a "gumshoe" of any kind, oddly enough.
Other Noir favorites not mentioned and not necessarily what you're looking for, but highly recommended for an understanding of Classic Noir (1941-1958):
DETOUR THIEVES' HIGHWAY RAW DEAL FORCE OF EVIL THE BIG COMBO THE SEVENTH VICTIM GUN CRAZY GILDA THE SET-UP LAURA
Neo-Noir -- and there are many great ones -- is a whole different huge territory, so I'll leave it at that for now.
Oh, and my friend Henry wanted to leave a comment but couldn't figure out how and I told him I'd do it for him. He also recommends Falcon but also Diplomatic Courier.
Oh, and I remembered The Third Man, which is also an obvious one, but essential movie-watching!
Enjoyed the play! Yours was the highlight of the evening and well-done by the ensemble!
Damn, I figured you'd have Noir coming out your ears by now. Here are my favorites -- all obvious choices you've probably seen, but just in case:
ReplyDeleteTHE LAST SEDUCTION
DOUBLE INDEMNITY
KISS ME DEADLY
TOUCH OF EVIL
OH! And I'd call THE GRIFTERS neo-noir (so's THE LAST SEDUCTION), and it's great and overt with the oedipal....
ReplyDeleteYou've probably seen 'em all, but:
ReplyDeleteThe Maltese Falcon is likely the ultimate example of "femme fatale turns out to be the criminal" (who killed his partner.)
In the Big Sleep, the murderer turns out to be the femme fatale's sister (also sort of a femme fatale.) I recommend also reading the book if you use this, since the movie is incomprehensible without it.
--- Ry
thanks you two! Very helpful.
ReplyDeleteA
I created a film noir collage play last year that meant I watched over 200 noirs/neo-noirs in a very short time . . . some classic noirs not mentioned yet that are somewhat close to what you ask for . . .
ReplyDeleteOUT OF THE PAST
THE KILLERS (1946 version)
MILDRED PIERCE
NOCTURNE
CRISS CROSS
CRY DANGER
THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI
Actually, of the anywhere from 400-800 films agreed on by Noir fanatics to be "real Noir," less than 20 involve a "gumshoe" of any kind, oddly enough.
Other Noir favorites not mentioned and not necessarily what you're looking for, but highly recommended for an understanding of Classic Noir (1941-1958):
DETOUR
THIEVES' HIGHWAY
RAW DEAL
FORCE OF EVIL
THE BIG COMBO
THE SEVENTH VICTIM
GUN CRAZY
GILDA
THE SET-UP
LAURA
Neo-Noir -- and there are many great ones -- is a whole different huge territory, so I'll leave it at that for now.
IWH
Gravesend
Oh, and my friend Henry wanted to leave a comment but couldn't figure out how and I told him I'd do it for him. He also recommends Falcon but also Diplomatic Courier.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I remembered The Third Man, which is also an obvious one, but essential movie-watching!
Enjoyed the play! Yours was the highlight of the evening and well-done by the ensemble!
Thank you Kyle's friend Henry. And thank you Kyle for going to the show for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you Ian for that extensive list. I can't beleive you saw 200 films. Where did you find the time?
I got some show to watch. Thank you all.