ASK EDDIE - September 21, 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 Eddie’s short story “Doc’s Oscar”, the essential Italian noirs and film museums, the disreputable noir characters of wholesome TV icons, memorable bell tower scenes, and more. We wind up the show with a discussion of our favorite film noir openings. On the cat front, Charlotte and Emily are too tired to participate. Want your question answered in a future episode? We solicit questions from our email subscribers in our monthly newsletters. Sign up for free at www.filmnoirfo...
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This week’s questions:
1. In a recent episode, Eddie highly recommended the film ROSAURA AT 10 O’CLOCK [ROSAURA A LA 10]. Is it possible for ROSAURA to be restored by the Foundation and made available through Flicker Alley?
-Michael, Post Falls, Idaho
2. Just read your short story, "Doc's Oscar", in the JEWISH NOIR VOLUME 1. Can you give us a little background on its origin? When did you write it?
-Jay and Connie, Ann Arbor, MI
3. I'm planning a trip to Italy. Please recommend your essential Italian crime/noir films. Also, I hope to visit a museum dedicated to cinema. Any ideas
-Steve in Mississippi
4. Have you read “Somewhere in the Night: Film Noir and the American City” written by Nicholas Christopher?
-Sean Land O Lakes, FL
5. For me one of the biggest surprises of seeing familiar actors in Film Noir was seeing Raymond Burr as the heavy. What other later-known actors are the biggest surprises for someone getting into Film Noir.
-Carlton, Atlanta, GA
6. Why does Eddie sometimes use the alias "Eddy von Mueller" for some of his Blu-Ray commentary tracks?
-David
7. The late-'60s and the '70's are thought of as the time of the great neo-noir films, but what about offerings designed to play at drive-in theaters or so-called grindhouses? I'm also curious about regional films or filmmakers since that era was rich with localized film production. Are you aware of any that could fall under the mantle of film noir?
-Kathy and Michael, Rockford, Illinois
8. In the past Eddie has mentioned certain movies that he considers to be more “message pictures” than full blown noir for him. I would love to hear you both talk about what the difference for you is between movies like NO WAY OUT, CROSSFIRE, FORCE OF EVIL etc. and movies that have tinges of Noir but fall into the Message Picture category and maybe some examples of those and why they don’t make the cut. Thanks!
-Nathanael from New Braunfels, Texas
9. I recently watched the Douglas Sirk 1951 film noir, THUNDER ON THE HILL, and noted the similarities between the bell tower scene in that movie with the great bell tower scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 VERTIGO. Are there other films noir that include a bell tower scene? And, more generally, what other films noir have great staircase scenes?
-Cliff in Fort Collins
10. Wondering if you know anything about scenes cut from THE MAN I LOVE DVD. The film is listed as being 96 minutes long, but the DVD version is only 90 minutes.
-Michael, Chicago, IL
11. My question is about some very difficult to find Alan Ladd titles, specifically, CHICAGO DEADLINE with Donna Reed and SAIGON. Are these Alan Ladd films tied up in litigation or bound in some type of financial dispute? Is there any hope for their release in the US?
-Don
12. Openings. I have always been fascinated by the first 90 seconds of noir films and I’d just like to pay tribute to my favorite openings and listen as you add in yours as well.
-Chuck