If you’re a fan of noir movies, you’ll love this 9-film–3 disc–collection of noir classics in high definition with their original aspect ratios.
The Crimson Kimono (1959) Directed by Samuel Fuller
Starring: Victoria Shaw, Glenn Corbett, James Shigeta
The Lineup (1958) Directed by Don Siegel
Starring: Eli Wallach, Robert Keith, Warner Anderson
Man on a String (1960) Directed by Andre DeToth
Starring: Ernest Borgnine, Kerwins Mathews, Colleen Dewhurst, Alexander Scourby
The Shadow in the Window (1956) Directed by William Asher
Starring: Phil Carey, Betty Garrett, John Barrymore, Jr.
The Long Haul (1957) Directed by Ken Hughes
Starring: Victor Mature, Diana Dors, Patrick Allen
Pickup Alley (1957) Directed by John Gilling
Starring: Victor Mature, Anita Ekberg, Trevor Howard
The Case Against Brooklyn (1958) Directed by Paul Wendkos
Starring: Darren McGavin, Maggie Hayes, Bobby Helms
She Played with Fire (1957) Directed by Sidney Gilliat
Starring: Jack Hawkins, Arlene Dahl, Dennis Price, Bernard Miles, Ian Hunter
The Tijuana Story (1957) Directed by Leslie Kardos
Starring: Rodolfo Acosta, James Darren, Robert McQueeney
How many of these noir movies have you seen? GRADE: B+
George, while I have watched quite a few noir films on TCM (when it was around) and on YouTube, I haven’t seen any of these. I will start with “The Lineup” and “Man on a String” mainly because of Eli Wallach and Ernest Borgnine whose films I watched after they were much older.
Prashant, for some reason, the 1950s produced a wave of noir movies. I’m glad they’re available again.
None of these, George. How do they hold up to the more well=known films.
Patti, I’m a fan of noir movies so I enjoyed watching all of them.
I keep forgetting that Patti formerly couldn’t concentrate on a film on television. Though I’d only seen THE CRIMSON KIMONO, THE LONG HAUL and THE LINEUP on their repeated appearances in often battered copies on television, except I’m pretty sure I first saw KIMONO on TCM.
THE LINEUP is a spinoff of the CBS radio and tv series.
Todd, THE LINEUP is the class of this collection.
I’ve seen several. I really liked “She Played with Fire” which is, iirc, either an English film or set in England about an arson investigation. I think there was a book too—and I may have read that at some point.
Deb, SHE PLAYED WITH FIRE smoldered on my SAMSUNG!
The original British title of this was FORTUNE IS A WOMAN, which was the title of the novel by Winston (Poldark) Graham it was based on.
Jeff, thanks for that information!
Cool. One correction: the director of THE TIJUANA STORY is Leslie Kardos. Gotta check these out. I’ve seen only a couple.
Jeff, SPELL CHECKER once again changed “KARDOS” to “Cards” with my knowledge (or approval). Pesky software!
When I first glanced at the list I assumed I’d seen most of these since I’ve been watching virtually every noir film that pops up on TCM for years now. But when I checked out the titles I was shocked to find I’d only seen one–“The Lineup”. Now I’m wondering how many of these have been shown on TCM. There’s probably a way to find out, but it’s probably too much trouble.
Michael, it’s just easier to pick up a copy of NOIR ARCHIVE, VOLUME 3 from AMAZON or your local LIBRARY.
Out of the ones I’ve seen I would say The Lineup is the best. The Crimson Kimono second. The Tijuana Story I find pretty dreadful.
Steve, I like THE LINEUP, too. Don Siegel is one of my favorite Directors.
There is a reason most commenters are unfamiliar with these movies. Mostly very minor films, in my opinion. The Lineup is the only exception. This set is for fans of noir who’ve already seen the best.
Steve, I set the bar low for NOIR ARCHIVE, VOLUME 3. You’re right, other than THE LINEUP, the other movies are in the “fringe noir” category.
None. By the way, CASABLANCA is on TCM tomorrow, at 4:00pm Pacific Time. I’ll be recording it.
I’ve probably seen a few of them but don’t remember. Anyway I would have seen them in German – in our university town there was a cinema that had late shows for students really cheap.
They also showed most of the British Hammer horror film productions like Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy and their sequels – those we preferred.
Wolf, many of the “cheap” cinemas around here have closed. Netflix and HULU and the other streaming services rendered them obsolete.
It’s a pity in a way – those cinema visits together were an important part of our student life – totally different from everybody in a group sitting in front of their computer and watching “their” movies.
PS and a bit OT:
Have you seen this?
Lee Child
Jack Reacher series author Lee Child ‘quits and lets brother step in’
Child had initially been searching for a way to kill off the popular character
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/18/jack-reacher-series-author-lee-child-quits-and-lets-brother-step-in
Wolf, I have a book on Lee Child, cleverly titled WITH CHILD by Andy Martin that’s in my reading ON-DECK CIRCLE.