ASK EDDIE - October 19, 2023

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 international noir, the best noir genre hybrids, why Eddie prefers a non-academic approach to writing about noir, and more. We wind up the show with our noir-stained horror movie recommendations for your Halloween viewing pleasure. On the cat front, Eddie’s answers a viewer’s questions about Tizzy’s travel habits.
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This week’s questions:
1. What's the deal with the short ties in mid-century movies? Some of them appear to be only 10-12 inches long.
-Jay and Connie, Ann Arbor
2. In my opinion, the countries with the strongest cinematic noir traditions are France, Japan, the U.K., and Mexico. Do you agree? I'd love to hear the two of you discuss each of those four noir traditions (plus others if you'd like).
-Kathleen from Chicago
3. Have you been to the Hollywood Museum on Highland Ave. in L.A.?
-Alan, San Anselmo, CA
4. SUMMER OF DARKNESS introduced me to Eddie Muller. Eddie, how did you get involved with this? Did you have any connection to TCM prior to that Summer?
John Weber in Tampa
5. Can you tell me why NOTORIOUS is no longer shown on TCM? And the wonderful film noir, SLEEP MY LOVE, will that ever be shown?
-Jenene
6. What are your favorite noir-fusion genres and which films do you consider definitive examples of a noir Western, noir science fiction, etc.?
-Brett, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
7. STAIGHT TIME with Dustin Hoffman and Harry Dean Stanton-noirs often glamourize criminals and heists, but this seems very realistic. What’s Eddie’s take on the film and both these actors.
-Brian in Toronto
8. In Walter Mosley's EVERY MAN A KING, TCM gets a mention as do the following:
THE BRASHER DOUBLOON. Any thoughts on the Chandler book or the film?
A character is described as Sydney Greenstreet on steroids. If you were to name your Mount Rushmore of Sydney Greenstreet movies, which two would you add to the obvious choice?
Oliver mentions Steve McQueen's last movie, THE HUNTER. I would like to hear your opinions.
Joe from Suffolk County, NY
9. A few months ago, Eddie was traveling with Tizzy, which got me to thinking about the difficulties/practicalities ...Did Tizzy go on an airplane? Stay in a hotel room? (Hotel bar?)
Sue, San Francisco
10. How do you think it would go if James Ellroy and Hunter S. Thompson found themselves seated at a table in a small room together?
-Bill, Pleasant Hill, CA
11. Eddie doesn’t seem to care for in-depth academic studies of Film Noir and prefers a historical and production emphasis for such studies. If this is true, what is it about those aspects of an academic intellectual approach to Film Noir that rings hollow to you?
-Conrad

[@maartenlemmens8628]

19:00 the Bunuel version of Wuthering Heights is called Abismos de Pasion (1954).

[@dreamterry]

Fabulous, as always! We need a Short Video on International Noir film movements. PLEASE!

[@maartenlemmens8628]

15:00 the British film censors were much stricter than the American equivalent in the 40,s and 50,s. Scenes that were allowed in the US version had to be cut from versions fir the British market.

[@colettem.7064]

Eddie, congrats 🍾 on “Dark City “ making the list in THR. You are in good company. I see “The Friedken Connection: A Memoir “ and Cassavetes on Cassavetes.”📚🎬🌟

[@jim6214]

Raymond Chandler's Brasher Doubloon (or as it's more commonly known High Window) was published in 1942.

[@danjameson1572]

I loved the scene in "Victims of Sin" when the women swarm the male singer.

[@jannekh2]

Great episode. Fantastic questions. I’ve got a bunch of genre noir titles to watch and the HWR book list. I’ve already watched / read a handful of these but look forward to exploring even more.

[@CraigFrancisSoto]

Thats also a wonderful story about the great Marie Windsor. She and Audrey Totter were my favorite noir actresses

[@CraigFrancisSoto]

I love this show. That was some very interesting info that Eddie disclosed about Max Factor's little brother,John. I had know idea he was the notorious 'Jake the Barber',Chicago gangster. I can't wait to read about him in the next 'Noir' issue. Eddie has an abundance of great info re: noir,Hollywood, etc.

[@Buffalonie]

Enjoy the cruise, Eddie!

[@user-vm9jh9pk5c]

I love Eddie’s idea of showing two similar films from different countries. I think Hasse Ekman’s Swedish film Girl with Hyacinths from 1950 is similar to Anthony Asquith’s British film The Woman in Question from 1949. (In both films, a man investigates the death of a woman and interviews people who knew her and tries to figure out why she died.) Another Swedish film, The Man on the Roof from 1976, and Stuart Rosenberg’s The Laughing Policeman from 1973 would make a good double feature because they’re both Beck-adaptations. (Walter Matthau played Beck in the American version.)

[@Buffalonie]

Tizzy is becoming quite the jet-setter!

[@ScottsCollection]

For the Hollywood Museum, I can't believe Anne didn't mention the best thing about it. In the lower level it's dedicated to horror movies. Unless Anne didn't go down there, which would be a shame since she's a horror fan.

[@janolofalroth598]

You talked about Theresa Russell. She was also in Black Widow (1987).

[@svalliere55]

It's good to see that you guys are enjoying yourselves at least half as much as I am. Love these episodes.

[@dank9296]

Another great discussion from Eddie and Anne! Thanks!!👍😎

[@silentstarr5]

The Hollywood Museum on Highland is great. They have a wall of very early photos and lots of special exhibits. Located in the old Art Deco Max Factor building is a big part of the interest too. I go every time I attend Cinecon since the exhibits change. Highly recommend a visit.

[@timothydigiuseppe1753]

Thank you for this episode. The noir fantasy/crossover question and the answers from both Eddie And Anne gave me more to look into. Also, thanks for the nod to Bunuel. Congratulations are in order and certainly deserved for Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir making the Hollywood Reporter list of 100 Greatest Film Books of All Time! Eddie's well-written and comprehensive text (if I recall, the bibliography alone has over 100 entries) was my introduction to film noir and later, other books on the subject (e.g., Alain Silver and James Ursini, Paul Schrader, and Spencer Selby). I cannot recommend it enough.

[@ameryek.9607]

Welcome back! 🍸🍸 Re: Eddie's start on TCM Noir Alley- what happened after the actresses' interviews? When did TCM wake up & hire Eddie, & why? Sidney Greenstreet - "Three Strangers " !! Does anyone else think that Theresa Russell & Kathleen Turner looked alike,? I couldn't tell them apart sometimes. Congratulations to Eddie for being on the big list! ☘️

[@jubalcalif9100]

Thank you Anne !! Thank you Eddie !! Was finally able to finish watching this latest episode this morning. Congrats are certainly in order in regards to your book making that list, Eddie ! Couldn't happen to a nicer fella. Some really interesting questions & illuminating answers ! And in regards to Steve McQueen, "The Hunter" was indeed his last film (released in 1980, the year of his passing). The rarely seen "Enemy of the People" had a short theatrical run in 1978. I saw "The Hunter" on cable TV back in the 90s & wasn't impressed at all. Poor Steve looks gaunt & tired (no wonder....his ultimately fatal cancer had already started to affect him). He plays a bounty hunter & there's the usual generic dialog & chases. No great shakes. Not a bad movie but not a great one. Strictly an OK crime drama. Sure love watching this online program. I learn a lot & you two are wonderful hosts ! Keep up the good work, you two !

[@hamfat347]

And the drinking! 😂

[@janolofalroth598]

As for Scandinavian and international noir, I have a question that involves one of Hasse Ekman's films, that I will send to Anne and Eddie.

[@leedaero]

What drink did Humphrey Bogart order in the final scene of Dark Passage?

[@eon57]

The Hunter was indeed McQueen's last film, but TBH you're not missing much. It ain't great.