Cobra Woman (1944)

 

On the set: Maria Montez

New acquisition: The Killers (1946)

 

The Killers (1946)

The Suspect (1944)

 

An unhappily married man begins a flirtation with a younger woman. When his wife threatens to ruin her, he decides to take action. 

Strong moralistic melodrama with a superb Charles Laughton in the title role is nicely set and photographed in turn of the century London.

Halliwell*: "Efficient studio-bound suspenser with theatrically effective acting." 

Maltin***1/2: "Superb Hitchcock-like thriller..."

Phantom Lady (1944)

The Killers (1946)

Hit men kill an unresisting victim, and an investigator uncovers his past involvement with beautiful, deadly woman.

Film noir classic with extraordinary b/w photography and excellent performances, Ava Gardner, however, is not quite convincing as femme fatale; the plot is more an imagination about Ernest Hemingways story than an adaptation.

On renewed viewing: Hemingway's famous short story is merely the trigger for an intriguing, complex Noir crime story, arguably one of genre's best; both Lancaster as the 'innocent' cuckold and Gardner as the inscrutable femme fatale set standards with their performances.

Halliwell***: "Elaborate tale of cross and double-cross, stunningly executed."

Maltin****: "Compelling crime drama...Film provides fireworks, early success of Lancaster (in film debut) and Gardner."

Criss Cross (1949)

An armored truck driver and his lovely ex-wife conspire with a gang to have his own truck robbed on the route.

Cry of the City (1948)

The story of two tenement-bred, Italian-American, childhood-friends who grow up with radically different views on crime, and are pitted against each other while following their chosen paths.

New acquistion: The Suspect (1944)

Next title in the Noir series.

Phantom Lady (1944)

 

 

A beautiful secretary risks her life to try to find the elusive woman who may prove her boss didn't murder his selfish wife. 

 

Exemplary Film Noir crime mystery with a somewhat complex plot, but has great (nightly) settings, fabulous photography and a good cast. 

Halliwell**: "Odd little thriller which doesn't really hold together but is made for the most part with great style."

Maltin***1/2: "First-rate suspense yarn...Sexual innuendo with Cook is simply astonishing..."

New acquisition: Phantom Lady (1944)

Next dvd in the Film Noir series.

The Dark Mirror (1946)

A man is found murdered, with witnesses convinced about the woman they saw leaving his apartment, but it becomes apparent that the woman has a twin, and finding out which one is the killer seems impossible.

The amateur psychology doesn't hurt this well-staged and effective Noir thriller; and Olivia de Havilland in the double role of good sister/bad sister is a treat.

Halliwell**: "Unconvincing but highly absorbing thrilller with all credits plus; the best brand of Hollywood moonshine."

New acquisition: The Dark Mirror (1946)

Next in the Film Noir series.