1944: Double Indemnity - The Definitive Film Noir?

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Film Noir is one of the most distinctive genres in all of cinema, but paradoxically it's hard to pin down exactly what Noir is. This trend that emerged in the early 1940s to reflects the fear, confusion and of a decade at war.
This essay explores exactly what Noir is, by looking at one of the most important films in the genre, Double Indemnity, and tries to pin down its defining elements, the femme fatale, the anti-hero, the Dutch angles and shadows.
Thanks for watching One Hundred Years of Cinema, I will be writing a video essay about at least one film each year from 1915 onward to track the evolution of film over the last century. Please subscribe and share! Thank you!
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[@4CardsMan]

The brilliant scene where they have the body in the car and the car won't start literally had me on the edge of my seat.

[@normadesmond6017]

yeah, Bily Wilder is God. Look at the movies he made. Unbelievable.

[@jorawesummme609]

norma desmond what no he isnt

[@normadesmond6017]

@@jorawesummme609 for sure. He was he best ever.

[@TitanicHorseRacingLover]

That scene with the car not start is awesome

[@MrAristaeus]

I’m sure you’ve read the story that this scene wasn’t in the actual script. After filming the original take, Billy Wilder’s own car failed to start when leaving the location. He immediately saw the dramatic potential in this and reshot the entire scene to include it. P.S. just a minor correction: the body wasn’t in the car when the car failed to start. They had already deposited it onto the tracks.

[@TheAvizanski]

God, why doesn't this channel not have many many more views? This didn't appear in my subscriptions..

[@nannyoggsally]

It did appear in mine.

[@michaelkaminski8339]

Agree with you, folks might learn something, I know .I did, started right in the beginning and ended with this video, they're incredibibly well researched and deeply intertwined between films, gotta love the connections.

[@meals5486]

if you want more movies like this , check my channel

[@johnsweet8508]

One of the cool nuggets about this movie is the brief shot of the great Raymond Chandler sitting outside Neff"s office. If you blink, you'll miss it

[@robbrothers9290]

Love the mention of The Big Heat there at the end, Lee Marvin is terrifying in that!

[@sushiforbrainsss]

Movies mentioned in this video: Scarlet Street (1945) Ministry of Fear (1944) The Killers (1946) Alphaville (1965) The Third Man (1949) The Asphalt Jungle (1950) Double Indemnity (1944) Strangers On A Train (1951) Detour (1945) Gun Crazy (1950) Stranger On The Third Floor (1940) Touch Of Evil (1958) Maltese Falcon (1941) Laura (1944) Murder, My Sweet (1944) The Great Train Robbery (1903) 'G' Men (1935) Rome, Open City (1945) Genuine (1920) M (1931) Pepe Le Moko (1937) The Naked City (1948) The Unsuspected (1947) Gun Crazy (1950) Out Of The Past (1947) The Lady From Shanghai (1947) The Big Heat (1943)

[@meals5486]

if you want more movies like this , check my channel

[@nellgwenn]

Sunset Boulevard

[@laHagans]

Ahmad Rajeb Thank you

[@miser42]

and pretty much all of those films (outside of the obvious) are better than Double Indemnity

[@randywhite3947]

Touch of evil is 1958

[@dhruvgajjar4953]

I feel like film noir is a genre, it's defined by its themes, it adjusts to the changes in the world.

[@ryanscates1011]

Double Indemnity is the greatest, followed by Touch of Evil, Sunset Boulevard, Kiss Me Deadly, The Maltese Falcon, Shadow of a Doubt (if that one counts) Mildred Pierce, The Lady from Shanghai, Sweet Smell of Success, Ace in the Hole (if that one counts), Out of the Past, They Live by Night, The Third Man, Gun Crazy, Detour, Strangers on a Train (if that one counts), The Killing, White Heat, Laura, and In a Lonely Place. Those are my favorites.

[@4CardsMan]

Close to the top is Out of the Past.

[@jackf.clarke8167]

Double Indemnity is # 1" Thats Right Baby"

[@TheSaltydog07]

Criss Cross Aphalt Jungle The Killers Cry Danger Too Late for Tears, aka Killer Bait

[@ryanscates1011]

@@Nonesovile96 Detour is underrated for sure

[@ryanscates1011]

I have updated my list with a new order and titles as I have seen and re-watched many more since I initially made this list

[@curiousworld7912]

Film noir is my favorite genre of Hollywood films, probably because I love German Expressionism. Picking a favorite is difficult; this one, along with 'Farewell, My Lovely', 'On Dangerous Ground', 'Kiss of Death' and 'In a Lonely Place' is at least a partial list.

[@meals5486]

if you want more movies like this , check my channel

[@thiccboss4780]

holy shit your lines being delivered along with the music is so effective. Such a overwhelming poignancy to the whole thing

[@meals5486]

if you want more movies like this , check my channel

[@ashroskell]

I really enjoyed that. And I think you nailed it. Double Indemnity wasn’t the first Noir classic, but it was the one that cemented a style of movie making and set a benchmark for others to follow, which would later be identified as Film Noir. The one that people could point to as exhibit A when asked the question, “What is Film Noir?” I certainly think of Noir as a genre and among my favourites, along with Neo Noir. When my mum was young she worked in a jazz club, where she met my dad, and she raised me on classic Hollywood of the 1940’s & 50’s, with particular reference to her favourites (musicals) and mine, which were always Noir. I was the only kid in my class who knew the names of all the actors, writers, producers and directors of that era, up to the day, which was the 1970’s. My mum had a lot of undiagnosed mental health issues but she was a fiercely intelligent and articulate person. Now, in my mid 50’s I still love Noir best and think fondly back to the days when I could truly communicate with her about something other than depressing topics. It was my way of reaching her. My dad was all about the westerns mostly. And he was as taciturn as a western hero. But the axis upon which all our tastes converged was Film Noir. Looking back now, I realise that the real pleasure of those movies was so very different to the pleasure I derive from them now. My memories are of us all chattering throughout about Hollywood mythos, the stories of how they made the features, Raymond Chandler’s drinking habits, James M Cain’s attendance of the trial that inspired his novel, Billy Wilder’s arguments with the studio, production team and cast, or the fact that Edward G Robinson could speak seven languages fluently. It was only after I moved out that I followed the films closely and without interruption. This video just brought back a flood of memories for me. Thank you.

[@Sparky48236]

The Woman in the Window was the first film noir that I saw so it ranks as my favorite. The comments to your post provide a great source of excellent film noir examples that expand upon those you chose. I could listen to your analysis of these other film noir for hours. Thank you for this.

[@filmnobelpreis]

I appreciate the Fritz Lang appreciation.

[@billolsen4360]

That's a great one!

[@stephencarter7266]

@filmnobelpreis I'd appreciate if you told me what exactly, did you appreciated about the appreciation. Trust me, I'm not kidding or trying to be funny. I've always appreciated good appreciation when it's appreciated.

[@stephencarter7266]

@Sparky48236 Thanks man.

[@ThePurlpleCow]

Just wrote my final on this film and now I wish I could take it again . So many great points in this that are easy to miss without good research. Ending with that quote gave me chills man, keep up the great work.

[@meals5486]

if you want more movies like this , check my channel

[@BlackMamBa-yq5on]

I hope you'll keep this series going man. This is great it should definitely have more views.

[@wendyduehr8086]

Double Indemnity is my favorite. If I had to pick a second favorite it would probably be Mildred Pierce. Excellent movie.

[@warrenhoffman2006]

My list alson includes Scandal Sheet with Broderick Crawford and John Derek.

[@Mftjan2000]

Yes. Only Joan Crawford movie I like.

[@allisondodge2084]

Thank god for video essays bc you are helping me write my essay for film class right now

[@thewerepyreking]

What a masterpiece of a film analysis in such a short time

[@leilaniwatson3128]

Film Noir is more of a time period than a Genre, similar to German expressionism and French New Wave (Paul Schrader).

[@mintybadgerproductions]

I'd wouldn't define any of them as time periods as movies of their the time weren't uniformly film noir or French New Wave etc. I'd say German Expressionism and the French New Wave are better defined as movements or scenes as they evolved from a small group of artists in the same location at the same time with a generally shared artistic vision/goal.

[@leilaniwatson3128]

@@mintybadgerproductions But you have to admit, they don't make noir anymore, maybe some neo-noir, but not much. 🤔 You make an excellent point though.

[@maztergamer1016]

Yeah probably it is kind of a certain era of crime film really.

[@leilaniwatson3128]

@@maztergamer1016 I paraphrased an American Screenwriter's words.

[@leilaniwatson3128]

@@Nonesovile96 Still the words of an American screenwriter, before neo noir's time🙄

[@michaelkaminski8339]

Too many top movies in the film noir genre to mention so a few of the lesser known ones: Johnny O'Clock Johnny Eager Detour Stranger on the Third Floor

[@giovdb]

Double Indemnity all the way. I freaking love this film. So well written, shot, and acted (except for Keys's boss lol). And that theme music... so freaking good.

[@brajeshsingh2391]

it is. From the beginning to the end, this is a masterpiece. And its not that it tries anything shocking or tries to hide everything or do anything different. Every character follows his own path and the narrative seems so natural, so genuine. Absolutely right. So well written , shot and acted. From the first to the last frame. The only blip was when he shot and well did not express any remorse. But it was the defining moment of the movie. He called her bluff, finally.

[@silviocortez8787]

From now...mi favorite place to learn about the Great movies of all time...

[@thiccboss4780]

it's been 3 Months, no wonder i've been missing you. i hope you're doing well Charlie, and that the script for the next film is going well, This Cinematic Retrospective is quite the undertaking, and since you're evidently the only writer,editor,producer and director of this crusade, you wouldn't be to blame for time constraints. Remember, a delayed project is forever good, but a rushed one is always bad, i hope you pour just as much passion and care into these timeless videos as you are no doubt in your own life irl. Whether it takes a week, month, year or eon, i'll be here waiting, _with a wildly beating heart_ -sunset boulevard quote- So wherever you are, Godspeed Charlie! and Good Luck on current endeavors and future projects And be Careful out there

[@c.zatara-673]

Please continue with the channel, your content is so well made!

[@ramones580]

Wow, I simply love your videos. The insights are great and are well presented. This one was great.

[@SatonsClutch]

Your channel and content is sublime. Keep it up!

[@Dabhach1]

Fun fact. Double Indemnity was written by James M Cain, who was a reporter covering the Ruth Snyder case in the 1920s. He based the book on Snyder, who was no Barbara Stanwyck. Look up a picture of her. She was only in her thirties when she drew Judd Gray (the Fred McMurray/Walter Neff character) into her plot to murder her husband, but she looked twenty years older and as rough as a bulldog's backside. Incredibly, Gray was actually a Sunday School teacher and a married father of children. If he'd never met her, he'd have died at 102 in complete obscurity surrounded by his grandchildren. Why he got involved with her and her harebrained plot is probably a bigger mystery than than anything Raymond Chandler ever wrote.

[@Mftjan2000]

Very interesting.

[@Mftjan2000]

This response goes to the comment above. I tried to get it there three times.

[@cheapthrillsproductions]

Great work, as always. Keep it up!

[@zaphero5518]

DANG, this is a great look at Film Noir! Great job!

[@jackbailey7037]

These videos are of a high level, not many like these on youtube. The audience for high quality on youtube is vanishingly small at present, unfortunately, but that may change. I only found this place by accident. I hope you're able to continue the series. I only wish they were longer, but I know it's a lot of work to make them. I hope your series is one of the 'tropes' that catches on. The Femme Fatal is a real thing, and if you've never had one in your life, count yourself lucky.

[@SamxHardscoperx]

I just saw this in my feed and I am 100% using half my work break to watch it✌🏻

[@karlkarlos3545]

13:15 The Big Heat is the best Noir ever made? Well, The Third Man has a word to say about that, I think. Btw. I wish you would upload more frequently. Your videos always make my day.

[@zaphero5518]

The cinematography and performances were on point with Welles elevating his dialog, but the thing that stuck the most out to me about The Third Man was (not really a flaw but) how much of an idiot the protagonist was.

[@karlkarlos3545]

@@zaphero5518 Yes, but the protagonists being idiots is one of the trademarks of Film Noir.

[@steamboatwill3.367]

it only gets intressting when Harry Lime ( Welles ) shows up.

[@PrinceofArfon]

There are certainly different tiers of quality for noir films, but “the best” becomes a matter of taste and how you choose to define best. “The Third Man” has a lot of fascinating, effective parts, but in the end I found it unsatisfying. “Touch of Evil” was more terrifying, but also far too ugly for me to like or want to watch again. Quite simply, I think the crime noir I simply enjoy the most is “The Maltese Falcon.”

[@randywhite3947]

@@PrinceofArfon how exactly is the third man unsatisfying?

[@geminikb]

Just getting ready to watch this film again. Came to KZbin to look for a nice primer to get me warmed up. It’s on TCM on demand right now.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Are you going to do anymore - these were a real treat to watch !

[@levanceland]

I think you're swell, so long as I'm not your husband. THAT is one of the best lines.

[@AnthonySmith-ty7ij]

Great job, keep it up. For 1945, try talking about Rome, Open City and the start of Italian and the rise of world cinema. Or try The Lost Weekend, the effects of alcoholism on screen. By the way, Touch of Evil was made in 1958.

[@clara5924]

One of the best Noir film. Firstly watched it because of Ed G. Since then I completely adore Noir themed movies.

[@brandonhamaguchi]

Sad that this channel stopped at 1948 😢 I will love those analysis on the 70s movies

[@97AsV]

Please upload more, you have great content on the channel

[@linternamagica100]

Great video man

[@jiananlee5482]

Hi, nice to find you on KZbin. You have a nice voice! ☺️☺️

[@1977Suspiria]

The first Film Noir I saw & many many more later it's still the one I consider the best. Barbara Stanwyck's Phyllis really is the greatest femme fatale in film history.

[@buckgreen6028]

I don't agree. Check out Marilyn Monroe's Rose Loomis in "Niagara".

[@1977Suspiria]

@@buckgreen6028 Seen it. Great performance. My answer is still Phyllis though. Great performance & ingeniously written a character.

[@APUGuru]

My dude, where you at? I love this channel so much.

[@Blady99]

Just discovered this channel and, coincidentally, just finished the novel and ordered the movie.

[@ap6160]

Great video!!!

[@harrisonsheehan4052]

My favorite Noir is another Stanwyck Classic "With No Man of Her Own" OH SO SO GOOD

[@geminikb]

Anything with Barbara is good.

[@davidsweet593]

Top class job, Charlie. I have always rated the somewhat neglected 1948 noir Cry of the City, with Victor Mature and Richard Conte, as one of the very best of the genre, if such noir can be termed. It has it all, the city (New York and not for once LA) with its tenaments and dark wetted streets, the shadowed lighting effect. There is a terrific haunting theme melody and great performances by the two leads, backed up by some really good low-life supporting characters. Only lacks a femme fatale, but then so does The Third Man and Body and Soul, another generally overlooked work - for that matter the same might be said of Laura, although Clifton Webb's epicine Waldo Lydecker fills the role very well. Good stuff, and keep em comin - DGS

[@cristinacrescenzo]

Really amazing video

[@cormacphillips2585]

Best fim noire is sunset boulevard. It starts with the main character, voice overing as the cops pull his body from the pool.

[@michaelspikes8076]

What was your favorite noir crime movie of all time

[@suryashekharbiswas7229]

Message to the channel: Keep up the good work!

[@marlowe1537]

Double Indemnity is my co-favorite film noir along with the sublime Out of the Past. But it's the latter that provides the quote that captures the essence of film noir. Jane Greer's femme fatale denies to Robert Mitchum's PI (falsely, as we will learn) that she took gambler Kirk Douglas' $40,000: "But I didn't take anything. I didn't, Jeff. Don't you believe me?" Mitchum replies, "Baby, I don't care."

[@robertzverina7181]

Not sure of all time fave, but the best homage to the genre might be The Man Who Wasn’t There

[@everestcanyon5647]

I remember Wes Ball saying the third Maze Runner was supposed to be Noir-like, so I guess my favorite Film Noir is The Death Cure.

[@hardeeentertainment-alsplace]

Enjoyed!

[@KatieCokinos]

Thank you so much for this deep look at Film Noir - indeed is it a genre? is very much worth asking. One note - James M. Cain's original story, Double Indemnity, was serialized in Liberty magazine in 1936 not Black Mask. It was then published in book form in 1943.

[@martinsorenson1055]

Nice breakdown of the film and genre. One note: The film critic you mention is Richard Schickel, not Shnickel.

[@dinkmartini3236]

This second only to Out Of The Past which imho is the best noir of all time.

[@guest_informant]

A central theme of Double Indemnity (perhaps *the* central theme) not mentioned at all in this video is the relationship between the two men. (Paraphrasing) - He was right across the desk from you - He was closer than that - I love you too Keyes lights Neff's cigarette

[@stephencarter7266]

You think _that_ makes the relationship between the two men _the_ "central theme"? Srly?

[@TyWillCFC]

Could you please share the music used here as well as the list of films you included here

[@DanielaVilu]

Good analysis. I wonder what you'd categorise La Bete Humaine... noir or not?

[@kamilla1960]

Thank you!

[@FlippytheMasterofPie]

I lean towards categorizing Noir as a film movement more than a genre. It puts it in its historical context rather than simply an aesthetic one. I always get mad when I look up a list of films noir and find a bunch of neo-noir films. Those don’t count in my book because they’re not taking into account the history.

[@zaphero5518]

I think it's best to keep in mind that media is not just categorized by history or influence, though those aspects are helpful it's also important to categorize by taste or appeal hence genres. I think it's okay if people just include works from all over time if they appeal to the same tastes, via film noir as a genre and including neo-noir as it were. People can just really like Film Noir movies and want to see more of them regardless of when they came out.

[@FlippytheMasterofPie]

Zaphero I definitely see where you’re going with that, but I think in that case it would be more useful to make a separate list: something like “after noir” so you can work your way through the original noir movement and then have more afterwards. It’s just so often I find film noir lists with Chinatown and Seven and those are great movies but so far removed from the period that I’m looking for when I look for noir

[@zaphero5518]

@@FlippytheMasterofPie Wouldn't the best approach be having subbranches or subgenres of Noir then? Like how about the 30s-50s Noirs are called "Classic Noirs" or "Early Noirs", that way you could just specify those to find them and have the ones past that period be called "neo-noirs" as a subbranch. I don't think it's a good idea to specify the old as just "Noir" with all past that period being "Neo-noir" when they appeal to largely the same tastes with shared roots; that can result in elitism from those who hear those designations, not viewing newer entrees as "true Noir".

[@antiserjanus8016]

I'd concur with that and say it's a movement in style too. A style that spilled over from the crime genre to other genres, such as the "Woman's Picture", 'Mildred Pierce', the Western, 'the Ox-Bow Incident' (1943) and 'Pursued' (1947) and even the fantasy genre in the classic Faustian tale 'Alias Nick Beal' (1949).

[@randywhite3947]

@@antiserjanus8016 ox bow is nowhere near noir

[@edniblock672]

This is such a great movie. It’s always a fun show to watch

[@loretta_3843]

This film is so very great. I absolutely love it.

[@MohamedMohamed-by5iy]

Just watched it, amazing film, the actors and actresses were classy in style.

[@EnterTheSoundscape]

Sir please come back to finish the series!

[@michaelspikes8076]

I love this

[@howtubeable]

One flaw. Cynical detective novels rose in popularity in the 1930's. It had nothing to do with women becoming empowered during World War II.

[@rayfinkle9369]

Spoiler: The ending of this movie is fantastic. The way the outro music fades in as Edward G Robinson lights HIS cigarette for once... man, that was great!

[@crobeastness]

I always thought people regarded The Maltese Falcon or The Big Sleep or even Sunset Blvd were considered the definitive film-noir. I just finished film School and a lot of my professors talked about especially the first 2 i mentioned as such. Double Indemnity is still great though.

[@filmnobelpreis]

I love The Big Sleep, a unusually upbeat Film Noir.

[@stephencarter7266]

They robbed you at film school because technically 'The Maltese Falcon' isn't an example of Film Noir.

[@crobeastness]

@@stephencarter7266 how is it not?

[@stephencarter7266]

@crobeastness It _just_ isn't. Look, you either _get_ Film Noir or you don't (and must rely on other people's opinions on what FN is). I'm smarter than your professors at film school, so just take my word for it, 'The Maltese Falcon' isn't Film Noir, that's all. No offense.

[@crobeastness]

@@stephencarter7266 you actually quite literally knowing nothing of this genre. film noir is typically shot with stark lighting that results in areas of intense darkness and shadows and unbalanced compositions. Thematically, film noir often involves crime, mystery, cynicism, betrayal, and antihero characters, and usually features a femme fatale. The Maltese Falcon is widely regarded as the first film noir. It's not because there are a few that came before it, it's the first famous one that lived on to have a legacy whereas the ones that came before it have been forgotten about. Either way, no rational person on earth who claims to know anything about film noir would even consider regarding The Maltese Falcon not a film noir. You have to literally justify your reasoning. You can't just reply to me in a condescending tone without at least telling me exactly why I'm wrong.

[@sitaopan8862]

My favorite classic film noir(in order): double indemnity out of the past the third man sunset blvd. nightmare alley kiss me deadly the big sleep touch of evil Mildred Pierce the big heat

[@thesoultwins72]

Sitao Pan …..No 'Maltese Falcon' or 'Murder My Sweet' [UK title 'Farewell My Lovely']! Are you serious?!?

[@4CardsMan]

Excellent choices. I would include Strangers on a Train at the top of the list.

[@sitaopan8862]

@@thesoultwins72 In fact, I often change my mind about the order after top three. I prefer Kiss Me Deadly, Nightmare Alley and Big Clock which I didn't list. Besides these films, now I would put Maltese Falcon in. In my opinion, the Big Sleep is more representative in private detective stories but...yes Maltese Falcon is such an important mark of the beginning.

[@thesoultwins72]

@@sitaopan8862 ........Mmm - some of your selections are NOT truly authentic 'Film Noir'. [they are just excellent 40's & 50's Black and White films]. Film Noir - which originated in 1910-20's Germany - only appeared in the US in the early to mid 1940's during WW2. After experiencing the horrors of war many returning 'veterans' felt American cinema [which was largely based on musicals, comedies and romances at that time] was irrelevant dross. Instead, they demanded more realistic 'entertainment' that portrayed the gritty, seedy world of war-torn America. Of women cheating on their husbands [which frequently happened whilst men were away fighting] of murder, robberies and so on. This was the 'new' America - not the 'fake' world depicted in wholesome, saccharin-sweet American cinema. It is difficult to identify specifically what year 'Film Noir' actually appeared - and which were the first American 'Film Noir' films. Many experts claim that the explosion in 'Pulp Fiction' featuring the likes of James M Cain's 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' [1934], Raymond Chandler's 'The Big Sleep' [1939] and even Dashiell Hammett's 'Red Harvest' [1929] sowed the seeds of the genre when they were subsequently released as films. However, it is now widely accepted that several pivotal films such as 'Maltese Falcon' [1941], 'Double Indemnity' and 'Farewell My Lovely'/'Murder My Sweet' [both 1944], 'Mildred Pierce' [1945] and 'The Big Sleep' [1946] saw the true birth of the genre. If you examine all of these examples they are about the nasty, brutal side of life - of betrayal, murder and crime. And they are also set apart by the stunning way they were 'lit'. 'Film Noir' [as the name suggests - 'Dark Film'] WERE dark and shadow-filled. This was a world-apart from pre-WW2 American films. Of course and as is normal with Hollywood - as soon as these first examples of 'Film Noir' became hugely popular, they spawned countless imitations and copies. Indeed, almost every film released during that era could be claimed to be 'Film Noir'! Some were - some were not, and were just lumped in with genuine examples. This has led to a great deal of confusion as to what actually constitutes 'Film Noir'. But it is definite that films such as Chandlers' 'The Big Sleep', 'Farewell My Lovely'/'Murder My Sweet', 'The Blue Dahlia' and 'Lady in the Lake', Cain's 'The Postmen Always Rings Twice' and 'Double Indemnity' as well as Hammett's 'Maltese Falcon' were absolutely fundamental to not only the introduction, but the establishment of the genre. It is equally certain that Orson Welles' brilliant 'Touch of Evil' [1958] essentially marked the end of Film Noir in American Cinema.

[@sitaopan8862]

@@thesoultwins72 Thank you for the reply! Basically I agree with that and my understand about film noir is not very different. I don't understand which film I listed is not truly film noir in your mind.

[@leonardosomma4196]

I love the irony that two forms of cinema, Italian Neo-Realism and German Expressionism, from countries in the Triad forces helped shape an American cinematic genre that REFLECTED the darkness of WW2, it's strange to think really....

[@Mftjan2000]

Double Indemnity is my favorite NOIR by far.

[@nader91]

"where the sidewalk ends" is my favourite noir movie... it was my first ever and the story of the hard boiled detective captured me from the first second on

[@TheSaltydog07]

After the deed is done, he is walking down the street and realizes that things will fall apart; he can't hear his footsteps.

[@KeithDec25]

SCARLET STREET is probably the definitive and bleekest of the film noirs There is noone for the hero in SCARLET STREET to turn to for help -once he has been ensnared There is no hope or repdemption The beautiful ones feeding off of the weak and helpless At least MacMurray had his supervisor as a support system (Robinson's character) With MacMurray' s and Robinson's characters in DOUBLE INDEMNITY-there was a true bond of friendship ( Ironically in SCARLET STREET Robinson is the poor sap behind the 8 ball ...) Not to forget the ladies: Joan Bennett and Barbara Stanwyck do excellent work as the respective femme fatales Stanwyck was very good as always but I think I nod in Bennett's direction since she really rose to the occasion as a not overly bright noir "heroine"...

[@cam21333]

Yes, the bleakest of them all, without question.

[@willieluncheonette5843]

bleakest of them all? I would nominate Detour. In my review I started with " Just about the most bleak, claustrophobic, downbeat, nightmarish, fatalistic noir ever made. And in the midst of all this is one of the most riveting female performances in American cinema of the 40's." Or perhaps Kiss Me Deadly with almost no sympathetic characters, including Mike Hammer

[@jimlaguardia8185]

As a Noir fanatic, my favorite is DOA.

[@str3672]

This movie is phenomenal and still more relevant in today's era.

[@stephencarter7266]

You missed the most important lesson of the Flitcraft fable: *“I don’t think he even knew he had settled back naturally in the same groove he had jumped out of in Tacoma,”* There is indeed structure in the world, even if it's only man made. The Maltese Falcons was written long before WW2. And you really can speak about film noir without reference to an existential shift in perspective ( from artists of film noir ) that occurred during WW2. The feeling of absence of structure.

[@TitanicHorseRacingLover]

Double Indemnity is my favorite. I have a question. Does "Mildren Pierce" count? If so, that one also. I also love "The Maltese Falcon" and "D.O.A," which I believe is also considered film noir, with Edmond O'Brien and "A Double Life, " with Ronald Coleman, which is also supposed to be considered "Film Noir."

[@552mustang]

I have always put Mildred Pierce in my noir category. It has the crime, the imperfect characters, the dark sense of foreboding through a lot of it.

[@stephencarter7266]

No.

[@misfitsnacks]

Jerry here, Any chance of getting a new video?

[@MrLoaded2012]

"Double Indemnity"- The definitive Film Noir? YES!

[@OllieGBrown]

Originally I was against having Noir as a genre but now I kind of think it should be considered one. Repeating character types like the detective and femme fatale, the dark and claustrophobic imagery, and repeated themes of "bad things can happen to good people" solidifies it as a genre.

[@trsgringo]

Touch of Evil is from 1958

[@patrickknight6542]

8:41 Phyllis' apartment?!?

[@jimpickard3850]

Anything new coming soon Charlie ?

[@onehundredyearsofcinema]

YES! I have had a bit of a strange few months, but I am picking things up again real soon. There should be a video out before the end of this month.

[@jimpickard3850]

@@onehundredyearsofcinema Looking forward to it as ever mate !

[@janehuey]

Great noir is filled with sweaty desperation. You can feel it when it's done right.

[@lashlarue59]

Have any of you ever seen these films; Hammett (1982) The Man with Bogart's Face (1980) The Late Show (1977) These films are not classic film noir but they are fun summaries and one is a funny parody of it.

[@SmithMrCorona]

Noir is a nebulous genre, but a genre nonetheless. It’s easier to say what is a noir than what isn’t.

[@jonprude2557]

Yeah!... Body Heat was a cool re-make. A timeless cautionary-tale about getting laid by a hottie. "I need a councilor, sir."

[@stephencarter7266]

'Body Heat' is no remake.

[@michaeltoss8204]

My personal favorite film nor has to be Laura.

[@someguy1728]

2:43 Touch of Evil was from 1958, not 1956.

[@majormononoke8958]

M i guess or Colombo.... What about "i Robot" is it Noir?

[@oobrocks]

I dislike film noir...i LOVE this 🎥! Film noir tells us fate controls humans not our will. The characters can not overcome dark fate

[@allanbani]

For me Film Noir is a subgenre of Crime movies. My personal favorite Film Noir is The Third Man :)

[@rolandbaldwin]

One of my favourite homage films to noir is Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. It really captures all of the tropes from noir

[@arcadeassassin7176]

i always felt that the batman series has a very interesting relationship with the noir genre.

[@ropeburnsrussell]

The Setup, a boxing mob film.

[@buckgreen6028]

Sorry, Charlie. The definitive film noir was Jacques Tourneur's "Out of the Past" with Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, and Kirk Douglas.

[@samopaik8695]

He ran all the way, The prowler The burglar Bad day at black rock Human desire The big combo Nobody lives forever I walk alone Crime wave Odds against tomorrow In a lonely place Strange love of Martha ivers Pitfall T-men Raw Deal Lady from Shanghai Tomorrow is another day Storm warning Thieves highway Tension Clash by night Crossfire Phantom lady Night has a thousand eyes The Scar aka hollow triumph The big carnival aka ace in the hole The set up The gangster Born to kill 711 ocean blvd. Try and get me Sweet smell of success

[@novadirector]

Is the film Casablanca an example of film noire?

[@howtubeable]

Probably not. Casablanca is more a romantic drama. Yes, Humphrey Bogart plays a Noir-type character, but Ingrid Bergman was not a femme fatale. The villains were the Nazis. Plus, who can forget the uncharacteristically upbeat last line: "I think the is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

[@scottieglover291]

I don't think Film Noir is a genre because films of multiple different genres are included. I think Film Noir is more of a style and vibe.