ASK EDDIE - January 4, 2024

FNF prez Eddie Muller responds to film noir fan questions fielded by the Foundation's Director of Communications Anne Hockens. In this episode, we discuss our upcoming NOIR CITY film festival, how Eddie’s new children’s book “Kid Noir: Kitty Feral and the Case of the Marshmallow Monkey” came about, Humphrey Bogart’s impact on film noir, which modern directors we think could create a satisfying period neo-noir, and more. We wind up with a discussion of what type of character we would be if we suddenly found ourselves in a film noir and which character we would like to be in a film noir of our picking. Sorry, no cats this time.
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This week’s questions:
1. Has the NOIR CITY fest ever featured, or has Eddie ever spieled about a movie sometimes called a noir, briefly the #1 film in mid-1955, “Not as a Stranger”? Your input hereby encouraged.
--DJS
2. This past weekend's episode of Noir Alley, “Beware My Lovely”, was blocked for those of us who subscribe to KZbin TV. Maybe the second or third time it happened this year. The messaging was "Not Available for Streaming" so I'm guessing other services were affected as well. I know there is only so much noir inventory out there but if you could avoid movies that shut out loyal viewers it would be greatly appreciated.
--Terry Sullivan
3. I have a question regarding a sort of Christmas Noir. You showed it a number of years ago. It is a tale set in a bank that goes in real time. The plot is somewhat extorsion-like and has almost “Twilight Zone” feel in its ambiance. I am searching for a copy or at least an opportunity to see it again. Are you able to provide the name of this short but intriguing little film?
--Wes
4. My question is about ”Kitty Feral“. I would like to know if you have always wanted to write a children's book. Your writing is most definitely for grownups, so I was wondering if someone approached you about this or if it was an idea of your own. Was it hard to make the transition writing for a new audience?
--Stacy
5. I visited the L.A. area in June and found time to spend 2-3 hours at the Academy of Motion Pictures Museum. I was very disappointed with the complete lack of recognition of genre films. What’s your take on the museum and the scant recognition of Film Noir?
--Bonnie B.
6. I recently gotten into the genre picking up many Bogart films on Blu-Ray /4K Blu-Ray. My questions are 1. What is the oldest film noir have you seen? 2. For younger film noir fans who have not seen many films what is the legacy of Humphry Bogart and James Cagney mean in the genre of Film Noir?
--Kenny from Ohio
7. I’ve secured and read Chester Himes’ 1966 stand-alone crime novel “Run Man Run” about a drunk white police detective who kills two black porters at a luncheonette and shoots a third. The rest of the novel is a cat-and-mouse game with the detective attempting to finish off the survivor before the victim convinces everyone the detective is the killer. This would make an excellent psychological thriller which could be easily adapted, even modernized for the screen.
I would be interested in your opinion, provided you’ve read the book.
--Michael, Post Falls, Idaho
8. Who would you like to see of the following directors to create the perfect period-piece neo-noir: that is to say, in the line of Guillermo del Toro’s “Nightmare Alley” or Roman Polanski’s “Chinatown”. Classic all the way down the line in style, story, psychological tones - except something added of their own unique creative perspective that furthers the genre in a satisfying way for the 2023 movie goer: Coen Brothers, Richard Linklater, Karyn Kusama, Wes Anderson, David Lynch.
-- Steve from Exeter, NH
9. Which songs really convey a film noir vibe? Submitted for your approval Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band's "Hollywood Nights" which contains the quintessential noir lines,
"He'd headed west 'cause he felt that a change would do him good...
See some old friends, good for the soul...
She had been born with a face that would let her get her way...
He saw that face and he lost all control..."
#AngelFace
--Mi
10. The series “Schmigadoon” is a fresh idea where a couple accidently end up in a world where they find themselves in a small town that is actually a musical.
My question has two parts:
Eddie and Anne. If suddenly you found yourself in a Film Noir (type of your choosing) what kind of character would you be?
And part 2. If you were to suddenly show up in an actual Film Noir which film would you choose and what character would you be?
These questions are separate, and the same answer cannot be used for both.
--John Weber in Tampa

[@jubalcalif9100]

Another wonderfully insightful, intriguing, informative & entertaining episode ! THANKS & KUDOS to both Anne & Eddie ! I know I speak for a lot of noir fans when I say how much I appreciate these two fine folk taking the time out of their busy schedules to produce these episodes about every two weeks. They are truly the "Hosts with the Most" !!! 👍😎❤

[@MsLizChatham]

Ann, great butterfly lighting in the last half of the broadcast!

[@dreamterry]

Yay! Just the medicine I have been needing for these post holiday blahs . . .

[@jubalcalif9100]

I certainly have a notion to second THAT emotion !

[@ScottsCollection]

Cool to learn that is Imogen that's the woman on that poster. She's been mentioned a lot before on Ask Eddie, but I didn't know what she looks like.

[@BickBenedict1]

Could you please timestamp the questions?

[@colettem.7064]

I can tell you that Imogene has her fans, especially through The Criterion Channel.🌟🎬 Peter Cushing fan here; grew up on Hammer horror. ❤ that perfectly chilled martini!🍸 So good to start the New Year with both of you.🎉

[@janolofalroth598]

The early Bob Seger song East Side Story (1966) with its theme of gang war and an unhappy ending and an ominious atmosphere is at least somewhat noirish.

[@mitch89014]

“The Enforcer” Bogey as a Law man

[@spacedebris566]

I can't wait for the next political statement from a film festival. I mean we all look to film festivals for guidance when it comes to political issues.

[@janolofalroth598]

James Cagney actually did one more noir: Short Cut To Hell, the only film he directed. He didn't act in it, though.

[@georgeulrich3823]

It was a 'remake' of "This Gun for Hire"

[@janolofalroth598]

@@georgeulrich3823 That's correct.

[@vedadalsette1453]

I love the Kitty Feral abortion book! Perfect idea for little girls, who need to learn they should have control over their own bodies. Also, I'm with Anne on Wes Anderson. And that SNL skit was spot-on.

[@karlinaz3996]

Any chance of a film noir festival in Phoenix?

[@georgeulrich3823]

Regarding "Not as a Stranger", I don't think Eddie would consider it noir. I see it categorized that way on IMDB and the assholes refuse to change it.

[@ameryek.9607]

Imogene Sarah Smith, she's a babe and she can write!