They Live by Night (1948)

 

An escaped convict, injured during a robbery, falls in love with the woman who nurses him back to health, but their relationship seems doomed from the beginning.

Excellent tough and romantic crime drama relentlessly drives its narratives and its heroes into their own doom.

Halliwell*: "Well-made if basically uninteresting melodrama with a draggy romantic interest; its 'realistic' yet impressionist style drew attention on its first release, and it was remade in the seventies as Thieves Like Us." 

Maltin***1/2: "Director Ray's first film is sensitive, well-made story...Set in 1930s, it avoids cliches and builds considerable impact instead."

 

 

Mommie Dearest (1981)

 

The abusive and traumatic adoptive upbringing of Christina Crawford at the hands of her mother, screen queen Joan Crawford, is depicted.

From memory: High-volume bio-pic gives Faye Dunaway the chance to give her the most over-the-top performance of her career depicting Joan Crawford as a real-life monster; film is full of bone-chilling scenes you'd otherwise find in a bona fide horror movie; campy, but must be seen to be believed.

Halliwell (no star): "On the screen it all seemed too silly for words, and nobody cared anyway."

Maltin**1/2: "Vivid, well-crafted filmization of Christina Crawford's book...Knowing that the story is (allegedly) real makes watching this film a creepy experience...though now it's seen as a camp classic!" 

 

The Blue Dahlia (1946)

An ex-bomber pilot is suspected of murdering his unfaithful wife.

Although scripted by Raymond Chandler this movie is handled less as a Noir thriller, but more like an average, but entertaining crime thriller with a surprising - and disappointing - resolution.

Halliwell**: "Hailed on its first release as sharper than average, this mystery suspenser is now only moderately compelling despite the screenplay credit; direction and editing lack urgency and the acting lacks bounce."

Maltin***: "Exciting Raymond Chandler-scripted melodrama...well-turned film."