Archive for the 'Film Noir' Category

“The Stranger” - Robinson was more than “Soylent Green” - (No Comments)

By Richard Murphy, posted on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

The Stranger brought together a triumvirate of stellar pre-war Hollywood actors. Edward G. Robinson gained fame as Rico in the movie Little Caesar. So famous was this movie and Robinson’s performance that the authors of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act purposely made the title read RICO in reference to the character Robinson portrayed. Robinson, a man with a great career is known to most people today for his last movie, Soylent Green, which is better forgotten.

Loretta Young was lovely, but not in a “bombshell” manner. She was a competent actress with a great fashion sense that kept her forever in work and allowed a successful transition to television.

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“The Black Book” and “The White Orchid” - Sire, the Peasants are Revolting - (No Comments)

By Richard Murphy, posted on Monday, June 1st, 2009

Okay, the French Revolution has its problems on film. The White Orchid wants to give us the lost civilization. Don’t get me wrong. The genre, a B movie staple is absurd, but one of my favorites. In the White Orchid, a Pre Columbian Civilization has retreated to the Jungle and survived.

William Lundigan stars as archaeologist Robert Burton. Lundigan is one of those actors you’ve seen but probably don’t remember his name. He never got the big break but he did have a long career in B movies.

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The French Are Better Lovers Than Spies- “A Few Days in September” - (No Comments)

By Richard Murphy, posted on Friday, February 13th, 2009

Ah, poor Juliette Binoche. Ten years after her triumph as the nurse in the English Patient. Six years after her signature role in Chocolat. Still lovely in her forties. What could be wrong? Well, I suspect that she must be horribly upset that she was cast as Sarah Palin in a movie that came out two years before anyone knew, probably least of all Juliette, who the heck Sarah Palin is. The physical resemblance would be uncanny, but Mademoiselle Binoche tops it off with glasses and makes it even more eerie. Her voice doesn’t carry the Western twang of La Palin, but other than that, sounds like her, Of course, it is surreal in that Juliette gets to play with guns, just like the pistol packin mama from Alaska.

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“Jigsaw and Algiers’” Appeal is No Puzzle. - (No Comments)

By Richard Murphy, posted on Friday, January 16th, 2009

What do the movie Casablanca and the cartoon character Pepe Le Pew have in common? No, this is not a trick question. They were both influenced by Algiers. Pepe Le Pew is the amorous deep voiced skunk who is based on Pepe Le Moko, played by Charles Boyer in Algiers. The dark, smoldering Gallic lover is certainly more suave than the skunk.

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“The Strange Woman” and “The Man Who Had Influence” - A Tough Babe and a Master Manipulator Meet Their Matches - (No Comments)

By Richard Murphy, posted on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

If you were looking for a strong woman from the Twentieth Century, Hedy Lamarr was your gal. Held prisoner by her spouse in a castle, she escaped husband and native Austria by convincing him to allow her to attend a party with all of her valuable jewelry. With the help of the maid, her husband was drugged and she escaped the country with some assets, not the least of which was her mind.

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Vienna After Dark - “The Third Man” - (2 Comments)

By Richard Murphy, posted on Monday, November 24th, 2008

Growing up in the fifties, tv was black and white. Our family was probably the last to get color. I thought it would be nirvana when we got to see everything in different hues. As one gets older, it is hoped, tastes become more sophisticated. So it is that one realizes, monochromatic cinema oft has its own charm. After viewing The Third Man, you will realize it would have been poorer in color.

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