Tag: film-noir

Out of the Past (1947)

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Streaming on HBO Max | imdb | no original trailer available

Jeff runs a small town gas station and has led a quiet existence for three years. Then his old life as a private detective catches up to him and one of my favorite film noir stories begins to unfold. This is a real gem of ‘40s cinema. You have the always excellent Robert Mitchum in the lead role, and Jacques Tourneur in the director’s chair. Tourneur also made one of my top ‘50s horror films Curse of the Demon, as well as the recommended Nightfall, The Leopard Man and a 1964 episode of The Twilight Zone, Night Call, among many other highly regarded movies. In my book this might just be the single film noir that stands above them all. If you were going to watch one movie in this style, Out of the Past would be an excellent choice.

Available on Blu-ray from Warner Archives.

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The Hitch-Hiker (1953)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer (fan-made – sorry)

Two guys on a fishing trip make the mistake of picking up a hitching psychopath. If you’re an old person like myself you’ll recognize the psycho as William Talman, who played DA Hamilton Berger on the old Perry Mason TV series. Even if you have no clue what any of that last sentence meant you might very well enjoy this grim film noir. I only saw it for the first time recently and was throughly entertained. This was directed by the multi-talented Ida Lupino who also helmed the classic Twilight Zone episode The Masks (1964). She was also the lead actress in the episode The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine (1959). Ida must have had to put up with a ton of bullshit during her career, but I for one am glad she did.

Available on Blu-ray from Kino Classics.

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The Lady from Shanghai (1947)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

A young sailor joins a yacht cruise, and ends up involved in a murder plot. This is a near perfect slice of film noir that only exists because of a desperate situation. Orson Welles needed $55,000 to stage a production with his Mercury Theater. He agreed to make the movie if one of the producers would pay him the needed funds in two days. It all worked out, and we have this excellent work of cinema as a result. This is one if my favorites of the ‘40s, and should not be missed.

Available on Blu-ray from Mill Creek.

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The Night of the Hunter (1955)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I’ll watch Robert Mitchum in anything, but this is one of his very best roles. He plays a con artist “priest,” and man is he despicable. I would love to recommend more good classic films like this here on Anomalous Cinema, but it seems pre-‘60s movies are not often available in 1080p HD. This one is, and it looks great. Note: Luckily things have improved for older streaming movies since I first posted this in 2020.

Available on Blu-ray from Criterion Collection.

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The Killing (1956)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I have poked around quite a bit on the three streaming services I focus on, and there is very little film noir available in HD (thankfully things have improved since I first posted this). One that I did find is by none other than Stanley Kubrick. This seems to be his first film to really show his directorial ability. His previous film Killer’s Kiss was damn good, but does not stick in my memory like The Killing. The one element of this movie that really hangs in my brain is the supporting role by Timothy Carey as Nikki Arcane (how great is that character name?). Carey was a very talented actor, and generally creative guy, who also happened to be functionally insane. I once heard Crispin Glover relate an incident where the two actors hung out. Glover said that it became clear that Carey’s behavior was not an attempt to be funny, or just the antics of an eccentric. He was officially bonkers. Anyhow, come to the show for Kubrick and Nikki Arcane, and stay for everything else The Killing has to offer. It’s a true classic.

Blu-ray available from Criterion Collection.

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The Stranger (1946)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I am a big fan of Film Noir and this is an excellent example. Orson Welles has something to hide and Edward G. Robinson is on to him. Sounds too simple but damn this is a great film. The Stranger is not to be missed Anomalous Cinema!

Available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.

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