how can i find a film noir that i have watched before, that has a phone booth with people calling a juke box operator, requesting a song? it is not Swing Hostess but that has the same set up in it.......thanks.
Double Indemnity is one of my favorite films! The second year I was with my girlfriend (this would have been 2013 or so) her grandmother was dying of cancer, and I got to hang out with her a lot and get to know her. This was before I got really into movies, and she was watching TV and we watched Double Indemnity together. I had no idea anyone thought of it as a classic at the time. I just thought of it as a movie that my girlfriend’s grandmother was really excited to watch. We watched it together and had absolutely the best time. It blew me away. It still blows me away today. It’s one of my favorite memories of her, and in general. Just wanted to leave this story here for you. Great TH-cam channel.
Ever notice how much American Beauty (1999) is similar to Sunset Boulevard? The scene where Annette Bening's character gets busted at the drive thru came from that. Portrait of Jennie (1948) also influenced American Beauty.
As a film noir lover it's so difficult to pick up just 10 titles. I would say more: -City Streets -Scarface (1932) -The Man who Knew too Much -G Men -The Glass Key -Shadow of a Doubt -Murder, my Sweet -The Woman in the Window -Double Indemnity -Detour -The Chase -The Killers -Nightmare Alley -The Lady from Shanghai -Dark Passage -Naked City -Pitfall -CrissCross -White Heat -The Crooked Way -Dead or Alive -Stray Dog -The Third Man -Where the Sidewalk Ends -Mystery Street -Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye -Woman on the Run -The Asphalt Jungle -Strangers on a Train -Man Bait -Kansas City Confidential -The Big Heat -The Good Die Young -Crime Wave -Dial "M" for Murder -Suddenly -Hands Off the Loot -The Big Combo -Los Peces Rojos -Rififi -Accused of Murder -The Killing -The Price of Fear -The Long Haul -The Line-up -Rusty Knife -Touch of Evil -A Sangre Fría -Odds Against Tomorrow -The Sleeping Beast Within -The Last Gunfight -Blast of Silence -Experiment in Terror -A Tiro Limpio -High and Low -Youth of the Beast -Black Express -Cruel Gun Story -Escape from Japan -El Salario del Crimen -Cash Calls Hell -Le deuxième souffle -Point Blank -A Colt Is My Passport -Le Samourai -Massacre Gun I think I can stop already
IMO the first 4 are not noirs, but to each his own. Film noir is generally considered to have begun in 1940, Of course films like Lang's You Only Live Once from 1937 have noir characteristics..
1. In A Lonely Place 2. Out Of The Past 3. The Third Man 4. Sweet Smell Of Sucess 5. Touch Of Evil 6. Sunset Boulevard 7. Double Indemnity 8. The Big Sleep 9. Night And The City 10. Kiss Me Deadly
Rififi also a great film. Also the Red Circle and Clan des Sicilians. Any Number Can Win with Alain Delon and Jean Gabin has a brilliant twist at the end.
I have to say Double Indemnity is the most purist film Noirs of all time.. always in the top ten of Noir lists.. it has every thing in it, the Fem Fatale, a man who is in, over his head, a script written by Raymond Chandler, from a James M Cain book... it has all the tropes, motifs, and style of Noir.. I have to say, it is number one of all time...
Great list, here are 10 just as good or better ;) 1 - Force of Evil - Abraham Polonsky 1948 2 - Touch of Evil - Orson Wells 1958 3 - Raw Deal - Anthony Mann 1948 4 - The Asphalt Jungle - John Huston 1950 5 - The Killers - Robert Siodmak 1946 6 - The Hitch-Hiker - Ida Lupino 1953 7 - The Killing - Stanley Kubrick 1956 8 - Criss Cross - Robert Siodmak 1949 9 - The Set-up - Robert Wise 1949 10 - Laura - Otto Preminger 1944 Love your channel, but I really miss your dad's journey into world cinema. Keep up the good work!
I just watched In a Lonely Place with Bogart. Starts with a noir set up but drifts more towards a relationship drama in a really interesting a raw way. It's got a great Criterion release.
“In A Lonely Place” takes combat trauma seriously. Bogart’s wartime experience shapes his character, and uncertainty and ignorance motivates the antagonist pursuit, as if he were pursuing Jean Valjean.
Totally agree with all your choices, but leaving The Maltese Falcon out.... for me that's the king of noir. And a great noir of the very early 80s is Body Heat, which is a kind of homage to Double indemnity. If you haven't seen it you would probably like it, I'd guess. Incredible score from John Barry, too.
Thank you for including Sweet Smell of Success, a movie I still think is so underrated. Incredible acting and the dialogue is among the best in film history.
Other good ones off the top of my head: Key Largo, The Third Man, The Asphalt Jungle, Elevator to the Gallows, Gilda...The Big Heat is a big favorite of mine too
@@cfbilly70 Sterling Hayden, complete with his “precious bodily fluids,” Jean Hagen proving she was nothing like her “Singing in the Rain” character 10 years later, and even a young Marilyn Monroe in a bit part. I’m fortunate, as I am in Region 1.
@@DeeEllEff That is far-out. I never heard of anyone who disliked Glenn Ford. I recently saw him in “The Violent Men” and “Human Desire” and I enjoyed him in both movies.
My top ten: 10) Night & The City 9) Where The Sidewalk Ends 8) Leave Her To Heaven 7) Key Largo 6) The Killing 5) Mildred Pierce 4) Shadow Of A Doubt 3) The Big Heat 2) The Asphalt Jungle 1) Double Indemnity I could easily list 20 more though that I love like This Gun For Hire, Dark Passage, Angel Face, In A Lonely Place, White Heat, Gun Crazy, Scarlet Street, Out Of The Past, The Postman Always Rings Twice, They Live By Night etc., it's just a genre rich with gems.
When they were making the film of The Big Sleep, no one could figure out how the chauffeur ended up dead in the car that went into the water. Howard Hawks finally called Raymond Chandler, who wrote the book, to ask him. Chandler replied “I never figured that out either!”
I've heard that story before, too. I always assumed it was Joe Brody. I mean he sapped him down, supposedly left him way out near Beverly. Joe did it. He's made for the rap.
Jules Dassin’s Night and the City is one of my personal favourites, In fact I believe he has the strongest run of decent noir pictures and often get left out of the conversation. Great video, would love to see you do a top underrated noir list.
Great list as always. My favourites Classic Film Noir: The Third Man (probably my favorite, although not even American...); The Big Sleep; ; Dead Reckoning; Dark Passage; Double Indemnity; In a Lonely Place; Key Largo; Leave Her to Heaven; The Maltese Falcon; Nightmare Alley; The Night of the Hunter; Out of the Past; The Strange Love of Martha Ivers; The Killing Neo Noire: Chinatown; Blade Runner; Body Heat; Naked Lunch; Brick; Non-American Film Noir: M, Elevator to the Gallows; Bob Le Flambeur; Touchez Pas Au Grisbi; Long Day's Journey Into Night So many others...
Excellent list! No list would be complete, however, without "The Maltese Falcon," "Laura,""The Third Man," and "Gilda," "The Postman Always Rings Twice," and countless lesser known entries in the genre. And for neo-noir, I strongly recommend "Body Heat"...
Great review ! Out of the past , The lady from Shanghai, Leave her to Heaven, Double Indemnity, Gun Crazy, Kiss me deadly, The Big Sleep are also on my list. I would have added Laura, Criss cross
Very nice list, and helpful explanations for the uninitiated. I also like the UK noir Brighton Rock, Kiss Of Death, Notorious, Odds Against Tomorrow, The Woman in the Window, The Spiral Staircase, Ride the Pink Horse, Narrow Margin and The Wrong Man.. Once you really start digging into these, the list is endless -- and that's just for the classic period of the 40s and 50s.
My number one noir will always be Kubrick's The Killing, such an amazing heist film. Love both the Criterion and Arrow editions of it as well. Can't say I enjoy the also included Killer's Kiss noir by Kubrick as much though 😂
So hard to select just 10. Those beautiful movies in black, white and every shade between pulls you in and you can't escape until the last reel has ended. What a trip! The casting directors are to be compliment for putting just the right actors in place to support the stars and bring the story to life. I have subscribed and am looking forward to your next entry.
Oh man, you’re killing me. I added almost all of these titles to my list of films I need to check out (and possibly purchase). Love your content! Thanks for all the incredible recommendation videos.
Just picked up Leave Her to Heaven in the Criterion sale! I'd highly recommend Experiment In Terror (released by Indicator), I just watched it recently and might be my favourite film I've seen so far this year. It falls right near the end of the film noir movement, so it feels a little closer to a straight forward crime thriller that we'd expect today but my God was it good. Clearly a huge influence on David Lynch and David Fincher - it feels like if Zodiac was made in the early 1960s. And quite possibly the most stunning black and white photography I have ever seen in a film. Hiiighly recommend.
Your picks are excellent, Elliot. I would add The Third Man, Sunset Boulevard, Touch of Evil, The Killing, and all of the three other Bogie and Bacall film noir movies beginning with To Have And Have Not and ending with Key Largo. Some years ago in Sacramento, California I saw a double feature of Double Indemnity and Sunset Boulevard in a 1950's era movie theater. Film noir author Eddie Muller introduced the films and talked about them and film noir in general. He also answered questions from the audience. It was a very memorable movie going experience! 👍👍👍
You should do a follow up on Neo-noir films like Chinatown, Drive, L.A. Confidential, Blade Runner and Body Heat. Hmm.. does Seven fit in here as well? It could.
My favorite film genre after I was introduced to it by my dad when I was 10 yrs old! 55 yrs later, they continue to fascinate me and continue to be my favorite type of movies. I never tire of watching them. Please don't forget "Murder my Sweet" with Dick Powell which is also another quintessential film noir classic! Thanks for your listing. I've watched them all...
Brilliant list, love that you mix the big budgets like double indemnity and big sleep with detour and gun crazy, I also like the Otto Preminger collection that was released on blu ray a few years ago. I personally would have put double indemnity top because my only criticism of big sleep and the Maltese Falcon (which is arguably the first ever film noir) is that Humphrey Bogart comes across as invincible
I'm glad you showed the still of the book shop scene from The Big Sleep as this is a scene I always think of... The Clark Kent moment where she takes off her glasses is brilliant!
I got into film noir at a young age ,( was allowed to watch any film I wanted from the age of 4 (1963) I was sick a lot so I just about saw everything, like all the films you have mentioned, Here is a few of my favourites. Miami Blues, (Alex Baldwin) The bridge ( rod stiger) Fires on the Plain ( japanese) Wages of fear, (French ) White heat Forbidden Games ( I love Clouzot) Ace in the hole/ The big Carnival Sunshine ? ( it's almost wages of fear in Space, )
Great list! I have seen 90% of these films and studied Noir a bit at university so I didn't gain much new info but it was great to see so many favourites on your list. Double Indemnity is a top 5 film but Gun Crazy is a personal favourite. Thanks!.
Great list, so many great candidates. Had seen FN on TV late movies, but, when I saw SUNSET BOULEVARD on a theater screen in 1972 I was Blown Away. Still am every time I watch it at home.
Nice video Elliot, though I'm surprised you don't have The Maltese Falcon?. Another historically unsung film noir would be Kansas City Confidential. Even features a small thug role from yet to be genre star Lee Van Cleef. It was considered pretty gritty, nihilistic, and dark for the fifties during the Hayes Code. You can see the influence it had on QT's Reservoir Dogs
Thanks so much, Chandan! The Maltese Falcon would be just outside my top 10, definitely in the top 20. I'll have to check out Kansas City Confidential. Thanks for the recommendation!
Nice list, again, Elliot. A lot of good recommendations here, and in the comments section (some of which I will need to purchase) which I will be venturing into this month. There doesn't seem to be much mention of 'The Blue Dahlia', which has a great Arrow Academy release, so I would like to put that recommendation forward for your viewers.
Gratitude for your praise of The Big Sleep -- some of the most enjoyable dialogue in all of filmmaking (and I learned by listening to an audiobook of the novel that most of it was Chandler's -- the novel makes great listening, Chandler is *hugely* underrated as a literary figure, there's a great version read by Elliot Gould).
My father was married to Bette Davis . His name was William Grant Sherry. He was married to her from 1945 to 1950. My name is John Grant Sherry. I know so many inside stories about the both of them. I have kept quiet until now.
Elliot!! Nice to see you again! Watching your new video right now! Film noir is indeed fantastic and the Criterion Collection has great selections! Always nice to see your new videos man!
My favourite genre, great list, only one I don't own is "Leave her to heaven", which I don't think has had a UK blu ray release yet. The Lady Killers also by Alexander Mackendrick(Sweat smell of success), I would cheekily include as an usual entry, being colour,and a comedy, but very Noir in tone. Not forgetting The Third Man, 10 isn't enough!
Great list and great video ad always Elliot! I’m a massive Film Noir fan so I thought that I’d have seen everything on this list but there were a couple which I’m yet to see so thanks for the recommendations. If you haven’t already I’d recommend checking out Welles’ Touch of Evil which is one of my favorite noirs.
So many great Film Noirs out there on Blu Ray. Here's my top 5. 1. "Laura" (1944 - a great musical score by David Raskin). 2. "The Big Sleep" (1946 - William Faulker credited on the screenplay !) 3. "In A lonely Place" (1950 - Gloria Grahame my favourite femme fatale). 4. "Detour" (1945 - Tom Neal the classic doomed man and Ann Savage the most vicious Femme fatale. 5. "Force Of Evil" (1948 a socially leaning noir).
Great list indeed. Some other movies i would like to mention are Pickup on South Street,Night and the City + Rififi by Dassin, Bob le flambeur and the greatest of all time Chinatown (although a neo noir if we're getting technical). Cheers!
I love the film noir genre. Some classics on this list and some great commentary. There are several I haven't yet seen. My favorites have a private detective who drinks and smokes cigarettes, a beautiful femme fatale with a strange story, almost everyone is lying about something, and of course a murder. I find I'm appreciating the lighting effects with high contrast and shadows along with unusual camera angles.
I'm always on the lookout for someone's top film noir list. I've only seen three on your list and looking forward to viewing the others. Thanks, well done! 👍
Brilliant choices, some I’ve not heard of. I would include in any list of Noir both The Third Man and Murder, My Sweet. The latter is based of Chandler’s novel Farewell, My Lovely and has Dick Powell as Philip Marlowe.
Thanks for the list, I still haven't seen some of these movies. I love the genre. I would include The Maltese Falcon, but that's because of the cast. The first movie you mentioned, Detour, is a surprising inclusion, but a worthy one. Nice job.
interesting choices . I would also recommend : The Maltese Falcon ( my favourite noir ) The Big Combo Where Danger Lives Human Desire Nightfall Touch of Evil The Last Seduction ( modern day classic noir ) LA Confidential. ( also modern day classic ) Point Blank The Killers His Kind of Woman The Lineup And any number of Hitchcock , and Bogart movies.
The Big Sleep, The Night of the Hunter, The Third Man, In a Lonely Place, Kiss Me Deadly, Sunset Boulevard, The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity, Out of the Past, Touch of Evil....
I'm probably alone in this but I actually like the Kiss of Death remake more than the original. The saintly DA and the cartoonish Widmark character didn't strike me as elements of good noir. Nicholas Cage in the remake is menacing and plausible and the plot is stronger.
Great list, the scramble for the great whatsit, I have the worlds least organised collection, you've inspired me to locate the noirs and organise them together for a viewing noirathon.
I love your choices, here. That scene in The Lady From Shanghai was also replicated in the Woody Allen film, Manhattan Murder Mystery. Blue Collar Lit.
You've got some good choices but Lady From Shanghai's final cut was taken away from Welles so I can't put it in the pantheon. If you are going to include a color film, Vertigo must be included And the most glaring omission IMO of course is Touch Of Evil.
Pickup on South Street, The Maltese Falcon, Thieves Highway, Night and the City, The Set-Up, The Breaking Point and Laura are my favorites left off of this list. Film Noir is the genre that got me interested in Classical Hollywood Cinema. I can watch them over and over. They never get old.
Good list, and a few films in there that I’m gonna check out. With a list of 10 there are going to be omissions. The Third Man and Chinatown are two that I’d add
I enjoyed your list and, despite having taught film for many years, never heard of "Gun Crazy." Looks like noir fun. Missing for me are two highly regarded Orson Welles films: The Third Man and Touch of Evil. They have "A" film acting, directing, and production values missing in many low budget noirs.
@@ElliotCoen I like your list as is. The Maltese Falcon doesn't need yet another endorsement, it's an obligatory presence on list after list. Thank you for thinking independently!
I thought for sure that his intro to “The Big Sleep” was actually going to be for “The Maltese Falcon.” Perhaps the really hard-core noir fan prefers the plot to be completely inscrutable rather than merely a bit hard to follow.
@@DeeEllEff Agreed The Big Sleep is inscrutable. The screenplay is close to the book at first, up to the point where the studio decided to make it a romantic story, presumably because of the Bogart-Bacall chemistry. There's distinctly a seam where the first screenplay was abandoned, and the last part of the movie doesn't always make sense with reference to the first part. Edit: But I personally enjoyed every minute of it regardless.
Great list. Out of the Past is, for my money, the best film noir. Extra special kudos for including Kiss Me Deadly. An omission, in my opinion: The Asphalt Jungle.
Great list - Some I have not seen-I’m looking forward to viewing them. I have a few more” Murder My Sweet”, “ A Touch of Evil”, “ The Postman Always Rings Twice””.
Agree with all of these (that's I've watched, anyway). As cliché as they might be, I'd supply The Third Man and In a Lonely Place (if it fits the genre).
Nice List...Other favorites to consider; Touch of Evil, The Third Man, Chinatown, He Walked By Night, They Live By Night, Nightmare Alley, New York Confidential, Force of Evil, The Killing, Murder My Sweet, The Glass Key, Elevator to the Gallows, The Big Combo, Maltese Falcon, Rififi, Notorious, Nightfall...more contemporary; L.A. Confidential, Body Heat...
@@ElliotCoen Not as far as I know I have it in the Film Noir Classics collection Vol 2. Which also included Narrow Margain, Dillinger, Crossfire and Clash by Night. Born to Kill was meant to make Tierney a star but he unfortunately got in his own way. He was made for the role and if you get a chance to see it, it's brilliant noir
I'm doing Noirvember for the first time this month. Double Indemnity is arguably the greatest film noir which I'll be revisiting. I also have The Big Heat in my collection which needs a watch. I had to order The Big Sleep from cex and The Lady From Shanghai in the indicator sale a couple of days ago so I can't wait to watch that one. Very surprised you didn't include Touch of Evil, The Killers or The Maltese Falcon in your list.
Nice list but 10 is very limited. I miss Laura, The Asphalt Jungle, Midred Pierce, The Postman always rings twice, Force of Evil, The Killers... and another fantastic film noir which is going to be released on Blu-ray soon: Nightmare Alley.
Good choices, I haven't seen the "The Cobweb." here are some I like: A Place in the Sun, Leave Her To Heaven, Laura, Gaslight, Notorious, Shadow of a Doubt, Sapphire, I Confess, Sunset Boulevard, The Third Man.
Hey Elliot! I've been wanting to watch more film noir movies because I have limited experience with them but I've immensely enjoyed the ones I've seen. Sweet Smell of Success was the last one I watched and thought it was excellent, and I thought the same of Double Indemnity which I saw not long before that. I'll be sure to check out the other films that you mentioned that I'm still yet to see! Fantastic video mate 👍
One of my favorites that seems to be overlooked is Hitchcock’s “Shadow of a Doubt”. I love how on the surface it’s old fashioned and light hearted but underneath it’s a really dark film
I love Shadow of a doubt and I'm not even a real fan of Hitchcock films. There's that deceptively rosy surface with the ugly truth hiding beneath it, as you said, and the B&W cinematography is excellent.
@Randy White Read my post. The phrase I used was "not a real fan." I didn't say "dislike" and I didn't imply dislike. I just like film noir better, and that makes Shadow of a Doubt my favorite Hitchcock movie because it's excellent film noir.
@Randy White I don't know where you're getting that from. I like Hitchcock just fine without being a rabid worshipper of all things Hitchcock, ok? He's a movie director not a god. Directors have their pluses and minuses. Shadow of a Doubt displays all of his pluses.
I agree with all those noir selections except for Kiss Me Deadly. I have seen these so many times. A couple to add to the list are The Postman Always Rings Twice and The Asphalt Jungle.
Hey, thanks for watching! Check out my Criterion for Beginners video here - th-cam.com/video/g9gf6B81BVI/w-d-xo.html
how can i find a film noir that i have watched before, that has a phone booth with people calling a juke box operator, requesting a song? it is not Swing Hostess but that has the same set up in it.......thanks.
Double Indemnity is one of my favorite films! The second year I was with my girlfriend (this would have been 2013 or so) her grandmother was dying of cancer, and I got to hang out with her a lot and get to know her. This was before I got really into movies, and she was watching TV and we watched Double Indemnity together. I had no idea anyone thought of it as a classic at the time. I just thought of it as a movie that my girlfriend’s grandmother was really excited to watch. We watched it together and had absolutely the best time. It blew me away. It still blows me away today. It’s one of my favorite memories of her, and in general. Just wanted to leave this story here for you. Great TH-cam channel.
Wonderful story. You deserve more likes!
Sweet story!
Like movies? Like film noir? Check out some of the best here: th-cam.com/video/rFp6sKkexhQ/w-d-xo.html
The Novella Double Indemnity really great!!!
Sunset Boulevard is the movie that got me into classic film, and it will always be my favorite film noir.
Lucky you (and me) as it has a great blu-ray release by Paramount at a fraction of Criterion prices and a great range of extras.
Masterpiece
Ever notice how much American Beauty (1999) is similar to Sunset Boulevard? The scene where Annette Bening's character gets busted at the drive thru came from that. Portrait of Jennie (1948) also influenced American Beauty.
Joan Crawford had a few great ones.. Possessed, Sudden Feàr, Humoresque, Mildred Pierce, The Damned Don't Cry
I thought the astrology references in this film were very interesting.
As a film noir lover it's so difficult to pick up just 10 titles. I would say more:
-City Streets
-Scarface (1932)
-The Man who Knew too Much
-G Men
-The Glass Key
-Shadow of a Doubt
-Murder, my Sweet
-The Woman in the Window
-Double Indemnity
-Detour
-The Chase
-The Killers
-Nightmare Alley
-The Lady from Shanghai
-Dark Passage
-Naked City
-Pitfall
-CrissCross
-White Heat
-The Crooked Way
-Dead or Alive
-Stray Dog
-The Third Man
-Where the Sidewalk Ends
-Mystery Street
-Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
-Woman on the Run
-The Asphalt Jungle
-Strangers on a Train
-Man Bait
-Kansas City Confidential
-The Big Heat
-The Good Die Young
-Crime Wave
-Dial "M" for Murder
-Suddenly
-Hands Off the Loot
-The Big Combo
-Los Peces Rojos
-Rififi
-Accused of Murder
-The Killing
-The Price of Fear
-The Long Haul
-The Line-up
-Rusty Knife
-Touch of Evil
-A Sangre Fría
-Odds Against Tomorrow
-The Sleeping Beast Within
-The Last Gunfight
-Blast of Silence
-Experiment in Terror
-A Tiro Limpio
-High and Low
-Youth of the Beast
-Black Express
-Cruel Gun Story
-Escape from Japan
-El Salario del Crimen
-Cash Calls Hell
-Le deuxième souffle
-Point Blank
-A Colt Is My Passport
-Le Samourai
-Massacre Gun
I think I can stop already
Just watched “the woman in the window “ with Edward g Robinson awesome movie!
Say sleuth thanks buddy
That’s a lot of film noirs! And still no mention of this gun for hire!?
Well could be worse! You could have mentioned the blue dahlia.
Also, Tokyo Drifter, Branded to Kill and Elevator to the Gallows. I'm sure there are many, many others but your list brings those three to mind.
IMO the first 4 are not noirs, but to each his own. Film noir is generally considered to have begun in 1940, Of course films like Lang's You Only Live Once from 1937 have noir characteristics..
1. In A Lonely Place
2. Out Of The Past
3. The Third Man
4. Sweet Smell Of Sucess
5. Touch Of Evil
6. Sunset Boulevard
7. Double Indemnity
8. The Big Sleep
9. Night And The City
10. Kiss Me Deadly
Great choices. My additions are The Killers, The Third Man, Touch of Evil, In A Lonely Place, The Night of the Hunter, Force of Evil and Rififi.
Rififi also a great film. Also the Red Circle and Clan des Sicilians. Any Number Can Win with Alain Delon and Jean Gabin has a brilliant twist at the end.
I have to say Double Indemnity is the most purist film Noirs of all time.. always in the top ten of Noir lists.. it has every thing in it, the Fem Fatale, a man who is in, over his head, a script written by Raymond Chandler, from a James M Cain book... it has all the tropes, motifs, and style of Noir.. I have to say, it is number one of all time...
Great list, here are 10 just as good or better ;)
1 - Force of Evil - Abraham Polonsky 1948
2 - Touch of Evil - Orson Wells 1958
3 - Raw Deal - Anthony Mann 1948
4 - The Asphalt Jungle - John Huston 1950
5 - The Killers - Robert Siodmak 1946
6 - The Hitch-Hiker - Ida Lupino 1953
7 - The Killing - Stanley Kubrick 1956
8 - Criss Cross - Robert Siodmak 1949
9 - The Set-up - Robert Wise 1949
10 - Laura - Otto Preminger 1944
Love your channel, but I really miss your dad's journey into world cinema.
Keep up the good work!
Kiss me deadly. Worst bad breath
Great list! That film Gun Crazy is off the charts awesome.
Best opening line in Noir:
"I want to report a murder: mine"
From D.O.A. 1949
I just watched In a Lonely Place with Bogart. Starts with a noir set up but drifts more towards a relationship drama in a really interesting a raw way. It's got a great Criterion release.
“In A Lonely Place” takes combat trauma seriously. Bogart’s wartime experience shapes his character, and uncertainty and ignorance motivates the antagonist pursuit, as if he were pursuing Jean Valjean.
Totally agree with all your choices, but leaving The Maltese Falcon out.... for me that's the king of noir.
And a great noir of the very early 80s is Body Heat, which is a kind of homage to Double indemnity. If you haven't seen it you would probably like it, I'd guess. Incredible score from John Barry, too.
Excellent comment, so true!
Thank you for including Sweet Smell of Success, a movie I still think is so underrated. Incredible acting and the dialogue is among the best in film history.
Kiss me deadly. Worst bad breath
Film Noir probably being my favourite movie genre, I'm always happy to such a video ^^
Thank you so much, Arthur :)
very funny,try john wayne or................soupy sales lol
Impact , Cause For Alarm, Nightfall, The House on Telegraph Hill, and Body and Soul are some of my favorite but there are many great film noir films.
Other good ones off the top of my head: Key Largo, The Third Man, The Asphalt Jungle, Elevator to the Gallows, Gilda...The Big Heat is a big favorite of mine too
Good choices Brian. I like all of the ones that you named.
I hope asphalt jungle will get a nice bluray release someday, havent seen it yet and the only release I can find is region A.
My problem with “The Big Heat” can be summed up in 2 words: Glenn Ford. To be even clearer, here are 3 more: I HATE HIM!
@@cfbilly70 Sterling Hayden, complete with his “precious bodily fluids,” Jean Hagen proving she was nothing like her “Singing in the Rain” character 10 years later, and even a young Marilyn Monroe in a bit part. I’m fortunate, as I am in Region 1.
@@DeeEllEff That is far-out. I never heard of anyone who disliked Glenn Ford. I recently saw him in “The Violent Men” and “Human Desire” and I enjoyed him in both movies.
My top ten:
10) Night & The City
9) Where The Sidewalk Ends
8) Leave Her To Heaven
7) Key Largo
6) The Killing
5) Mildred Pierce
4) Shadow Of A Doubt
3) The Big Heat
2) The Asphalt Jungle
1) Double Indemnity
I could easily list 20 more though that I love like This Gun For Hire, Dark Passage, Angel Face, In A Lonely Place, White Heat, Gun Crazy, Scarlet Street, Out Of The Past, The Postman Always Rings Twice, They Live By Night etc., it's just a genre rich with gems.
I love your list, Carl. Brilliant choices.
@@ElliotCoen Cheers, man. I love a good noir.
When they were making the film of The Big Sleep, no one could figure out how the chauffeur ended up dead in the car that went into the water.
Howard Hawks finally called Raymond Chandler, who wrote the book, to ask him.
Chandler replied “I never figured that out either!”
I've heard that story before, too. I always assumed it was Joe Brody. I mean he sapped him down, supposedly left him way out near Beverly. Joe did it. He's made for the rap.
@@automaticmattywhack1470John Sullivan has written a whole essay on this Question in his book Where was Rebecca Shot?
Jules Dassin’s Night and the City is one of my personal favourites, In fact I believe he has the strongest run of decent noir pictures and often get left out of the conversation. Great video, would love to see you do a top underrated noir list.
Yes, I do love Night and the City! Thanks very much for watching :)
His RIFIFI is pretty great, too.
Great list as always. My favourites
Classic Film Noir: The Third Man (probably my favorite, although not even American...); The Big Sleep; ; Dead Reckoning; Dark Passage; Double Indemnity; In a Lonely Place; Key Largo; Leave Her to Heaven; The Maltese Falcon; Nightmare Alley; The Night of the Hunter; Out of the Past; The Strange Love of Martha Ivers; The Killing
Neo Noire: Chinatown; Blade Runner; Body Heat; Naked Lunch; Brick;
Non-American Film Noir: M, Elevator to the Gallows; Bob Le Flambeur; Touchez Pas Au Grisbi; Long Day's Journey Into Night
So many others...
Grisbi is so good!!
Fritz Lang's M is the prototypical film noir, and police procedural, and one that really makes you understand, if not sympathise, with the culprit.
M is a tour de force with a fantastic turn by Peter Lorre directed by Fritz Lang.
Excellent list! No list would be complete, however, without "The Maltese Falcon," "Laura,""The Third Man," and "Gilda," "The Postman Always Rings Twice," and countless lesser known entries in the genre. And for neo-noir, I strongly recommend "Body Heat"...
Laura is underrated.
Love Body Heat!!
@@dannymoulton4829I think it's the best film noir out there....Dana Andrews is also underrated....
Chinatown
Great job on this video. Very professional and spoken like someone that enjoys their work. Great job indeed.
Great review ! Out of the past , The lady from Shanghai, Leave her to Heaven, Double Indemnity, Gun Crazy, Kiss me deadly, The Big Sleep are also on my list. I would have added Laura, Criss cross
Very nice list, and helpful explanations for the uninitiated. I also like the UK noir Brighton Rock, Kiss Of Death, Notorious, Odds Against Tomorrow, The Woman in the Window, The Spiral Staircase, Ride the Pink Horse, Narrow Margin and The Wrong Man.. Once you really start digging into these, the list is endless -- and that's just for the classic period of the 40s and 50s.
My number one noir will always be Kubrick's The Killing, such an amazing heist film. Love both the Criterion and Arrow editions of it as well. Can't say I enjoy the also included Killer's Kiss noir by Kubrick as much though 😂
Great films both... I only have DVD copies though; maybe time for an upgrade.
Killer's Kiss isn't great overall but it does have a pretty spectacular climax.
So hard to select just 10. Those beautiful movies in black, white and every shade between pulls you in and you can't escape until the last reel has ended. What a trip! The casting directors are to be compliment for putting just the right actors in place to support the stars and bring the story to life. I have subscribed and am looking forward to your next entry.
I’m just getting into film noir myself. I’ve watched a few that you recommended but the others will make great additions to my watchlist
Excellent list-I was happy to see Sweet Smell of Success on it. That brilliant film is often overlooked for some reason.
Kiss me deadly. Bad breath
Oh man, you’re killing me. I added almost all of these titles to my list of films I need to check out (and possibly purchase).
Love your content! Thanks for all the incredible recommendation videos.
Just picked up Leave Her to Heaven in the Criterion sale!
I'd highly recommend Experiment In Terror (released by Indicator), I just watched it recently and might be my favourite film I've seen so far this year. It falls right near the end of the film noir movement, so it feels a little closer to a straight forward crime thriller that we'd expect today but my God was it good. Clearly a huge influence on David Lynch and David Fincher - it feels like if Zodiac was made in the early 1960s. And quite possibly the most stunning black and white photography I have ever seen in a film. Hiiighly recommend.
Your picks are excellent, Elliot. I would add The Third Man, Sunset Boulevard, Touch of Evil, The Killing, and all of the three other Bogie and Bacall film noir movies beginning with To Have And Have Not and ending with Key Largo. Some years ago in Sacramento, California I saw a double feature of Double Indemnity and Sunset Boulevard in a 1950's era movie theater. Film noir author Eddie Muller introduced the films and talked about them and film noir in general. He also answered questions from the audience. It was a very memorable movie going experience! 👍👍👍
Thanks for this video man! Just when I thought I’ve seen all the crime/corruption films, you bring me all these gems 👌🏽
My absolute pleasure! I'm glad you could find some new films here :)
You should do a follow up on Neo-noir films like Chinatown, Drive, L.A. Confidential, Blade Runner and Body Heat. Hmm.. does Seven fit in here as well? It could.
These are call much later homages. Very valid but not true Noir. Body Heat is Double Indemnity for example.
@@Bignewshound60 He said Neo-noir which is where they belong.
@@stevemcnary7963 Yup, you are right. That said… ‘seven’. Not even close.
@@Bignewshound60 seven is just horrible
@@bbuggediffy agree. A nasty movie with no merit whatsoever
My favorite film genre after I was introduced to it by my dad when I was 10 yrs old! 55 yrs later, they continue to fascinate me and continue to be my favorite type of movies. I never tire of watching them. Please don't forget "Murder my Sweet" with Dick Powell which is also another quintessential film noir classic! Thanks for your listing. I've watched them all...
Brilliant list, love that you mix the big budgets like double indemnity and big sleep with detour and gun crazy, I also like the Otto Preminger collection that was released on blu ray a few years ago. I personally would have put double indemnity top because my only criticism of big sleep and the Maltese Falcon (which is arguably the first ever film noir) is that Humphrey Bogart comes across as invincible
I'm glad you showed the still of the book shop scene from The Big Sleep as this is a scene I always think of... The Clark Kent moment where she takes off her glasses is brilliant!
I got into film noir at a young age ,( was allowed to watch any film I wanted from the age of 4 (1963) I was sick a lot so I just about saw everything, like all the films you have mentioned,
Here is a few of my favourites.
Miami Blues, (Alex Baldwin)
The bridge ( rod stiger)
Fires on the Plain ( japanese)
Wages of fear, (French )
White heat
Forbidden Games ( I love Clouzot)
Ace in the hole/ The big Carnival
Sunshine ? ( it's almost wages of fear in Space, )
Forbidden Games is René Clément How about Purple Noon with Alain Delon also by René Clément
Great picks, Elliot! Speaking of Bogie and Bacall, I hope you have also seen the great Key Largo!
Great list! I have seen 90% of these films and studied Noir a bit at university so I didn't gain much new info but it was great to see so many favourites on your list. Double Indemnity is a top 5 film but Gun Crazy is a personal favourite. Thanks!.
Wow great list Elliot! My favourite noirs are: Kubricks The Killing, The Maltese Falcon and In A Lonely Place
Thanks :) Those are brilliant movies too!
Absolutely adore film noir.
Detour and Lady From Shanghai are both great but The Postman Always Rings Twice and Touch of Evil are big omissions IMO.
My favorite noir will always be The Third Man.
Agree. Great movie and the zither music going through it (like a leitmotif) is phenomenal!
Film noir is one of my favorite genres. Lots of great films here. I think my all time favorite noir is Night and the City by Jules Dassin.
Love Dassin and Night and the City! While not making my top 10, would certainly be in a top 20!
"No Man of her Own " Barbara Stanwyk. Try that one on for size
Great list, so many great candidates.
Had seen FN on TV late movies, but, when I saw SUNSET BOULEVARD on a theater screen in 1972 I was Blown Away. Still am every time I watch it at home.
Kiss Me Deadly is my favorite one! Great list🤘🏻
Is it better than the song?
Yet again another really interesting well thought-out video. Great work Elliot
Kiss me deadly. Bad breath
Nice video Elliot, though I'm surprised you don't have The Maltese Falcon?. Another historically unsung film noir would be Kansas City Confidential. Even features a small thug role from yet to be genre star Lee Van Cleef. It was considered pretty gritty, nihilistic, and dark for the fifties during the Hayes Code. You can see the influence it had on QT's Reservoir Dogs
Thanks so much, Chandan! The Maltese Falcon would be just outside my top 10, definitely in the top 20. I'll have to check out Kansas City Confidential. Thanks for the recommendation!
Great list! Film Noir's Have Always Been My Fave Genre Of Movie. My Favourite Being Laura (Gene Tierney).
Nice list, again, Elliot. A lot of good recommendations here, and in the comments section (some of which I will need to purchase) which I will be venturing into this month. There doesn't seem to be much mention of 'The Blue Dahlia', which has a great Arrow Academy release, so I would like to put that recommendation forward for your viewers.
The Arrow Blue Dahlia is a great release and it's a fantastic noir film.... Good addition!
Gratitude for your praise of The Big Sleep -- some of the most enjoyable dialogue in all of filmmaking (and I learned by listening to an audiobook of the novel that most of it was Chandler's -- the novel makes great listening, Chandler is *hugely* underrated as a literary figure, there's a great version read by Elliot Gould).
As a big film fan, film noir is one genre I need to investigate more and I've recorded all your recommendations and will acquire them...thanks so much
My father was married to Bette Davis . His name was William Grant Sherry. He was married to her from 1945 to 1950. My name is John Grant Sherry. I know so many inside stories about the both of them. I have kept quiet until now.
Hi John. You can send me an email at elliotcoenfilms@gmail.com if you want to talk more
Nice video. I love film noir movies. The Third Man and Touch of Evil missing though. Those two and Double Indemnity could be my top 3.
Thanks, Roky! Those are all great films too!
Elliot!! Nice to see you again! Watching your new video right now! Film noir is indeed fantastic and the Criterion Collection has great selections! Always nice to see your new videos man!
Hey Mac, thanks so much for watching :)
My favourite genre, great list, only one I don't own is "Leave her to heaven", which I don't think has had a UK blu ray release yet. The Lady Killers also by Alexander Mackendrick(Sweat smell of success), I would cheekily include as an usual entry, being colour,and a comedy, but very Noir in tone. Not forgetting The Third Man, 10 isn't enough!
Great list and great video ad always Elliot! I’m a massive Film Noir fan so I thought that I’d have seen everything on this list but there were a couple which I’m yet to see so thanks for the recommendations. If you haven’t already I’d recommend checking out Welles’ Touch of Evil which is one of my favorite noirs.
So many great Film Noirs out there on Blu Ray. Here's my top 5.
1. "Laura" (1944 - a great musical score by David Raskin).
2. "The Big Sleep" (1946 - William Faulker credited on the screenplay !)
3. "In A lonely Place" (1950 - Gloria Grahame my favourite femme fatale).
4. "Detour" (1945 - Tom Neal the classic doomed man and Ann Savage the most vicious Femme fatale.
5. "Force Of Evil" (1948 a socially leaning noir).
Laura is one of my faves and Gloria Grahame in Lonely Place is something else.
Gloria Grahame was the best!
Don't know any aficionado could not have "Laura" in thier top 10.
Kiss me deadly. Bad breath
Great list indeed. Some other movies i would like to mention are Pickup on South Street,Night and the City + Rififi by Dassin, Bob le flambeur and the greatest of all time Chinatown (although a neo noir if we're getting technical). Cheers!
I love the film noir genre. Some classics on this list and some great commentary. There are several I haven't yet seen. My favorites have a private detective who drinks and smokes cigarettes, a beautiful femme fatale with a strange story, almost everyone is lying about something, and of course a murder. I find I'm appreciating the lighting effects with high contrast and shadows along with unusual camera angles.
This was refreshing! Noir lists are usually just about the same overworked grouping of titles but this was way more thoughtful. Good job!
Thanks so much, Don!
I'm always on the lookout for someone's top film noir list. I've only seen three on your list and looking forward to viewing the others. Thanks, well done! 👍
Brilliant choices, some I’ve not heard of. I would include in any list of Noir both The Third Man and Murder, My Sweet. The latter is based of Chandler’s novel Farewell, My Lovely and has Dick Powell as Philip Marlowe.
Thanks for the list, I still haven't seen some of these movies. I love the genre. I would include The Maltese Falcon, but that's because of the cast. The first movie you mentioned, Detour, is a surprising inclusion, but a worthy one. Nice job.
interesting choices . I would also recommend :
The Maltese Falcon ( my favourite noir )
The Big Combo
Where Danger Lives
Human Desire
Nightfall
Touch of Evil
The Last Seduction ( modern day classic noir )
LA Confidential. ( also modern day classic )
Point Blank
The Killers
His Kind of Woman
The Lineup
And any number of Hitchcock , and Bogart movies.
@Randy White I like both of them , but I would give the edge to Siodmak's version , because of Ava Gardner .
The Big Sleep, The Night of the Hunter, The Third Man, In a Lonely Place, Kiss Me Deadly, Sunset Boulevard, The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity, Out of the Past, Touch of Evil....
I would ad the following for sure:
The Killing / Asphalt Jungle / White Heat / Odds Against Tomorrow / I Wake Up Screaming / Brute Force
You picked a lot of good ones! Also very good are: Laura, The Asphalt Jungle, Kiss of Death, Gilda, and In a Lonely Place.
I'm probably alone in this but I actually like the Kiss of Death remake more than the original. The saintly DA and the cartoonish Widmark character didn't strike me as elements of good noir. Nicholas Cage in the remake is menacing and plausible and the plot is stronger.
Great list, the scramble for the great whatsit, I have the worlds least organised collection, you've inspired me to locate the noirs and organise them together for a viewing noirathon.
Hi David! I'm glad I could be of inspiration!
I love your choices, here.
That scene in The Lady From Shanghai was also replicated in the Woody Allen film, Manhattan Murder Mystery.
Blue Collar Lit.
I just watched The Big Heat yesterday. It was just added to Amazon Prime as of May 1st.
You've got some good choices but Lady From Shanghai's final cut was taken away from Welles so I can't put it in the pantheon. If you are going to include a color film, Vertigo must be included And the most glaring omission IMO of course is Touch Of Evil.
Pickup on South Street, The Maltese Falcon, Thieves Highway, Night and the City, The Set-Up, The Breaking Point and Laura are my favorites left off of this list.
Film Noir is the genre that got me interested in Classical Hollywood Cinema. I can watch them over and over. They never get old.
Good list, and a few films in there that I’m gonna check out. With a list of 10 there are going to be omissions. The Third Man and Chinatown are two that I’d add
These never get enough credit. "Murder, My Sweet", 1944, Dir. Edward Dmytryk, and "He Walked By Night", 1948, Dir. Anthony Mann.
Kiss me deadly. Bad breath. Brush your teeth
We just picked up Leave Her to Heaven from the library based on this recommendation, and it was great. Never would've heard of it otherwise.
I'm so glad! That's wonderful. Thanks for watching my video!
The Big Sleep is my all-time favorite movie. I own a Raymond Chandler book with all his works. I love it!
nice recommendations!
this video would have looked great in black and white!
Yeah I missed a trick there!
I enjoyed your list and, despite having taught film for many years, never heard of "Gun Crazy." Looks like noir fun. Missing for me are two highly regarded Orson Welles films: The Third Man and Touch of Evil. They have "A" film acting, directing, and production values missing in many low budget noirs.
My favorite is the Maltese Falcon.
I love it too, Jim. Whilst not making my top 10, it would certainly be in the top 20. Thanks for watching!
@@ElliotCoen I like your list as is. The Maltese Falcon doesn't need yet another endorsement, it's an obligatory presence on list after list. Thank you for thinking independently!
I thought for sure that his intro to “The Big Sleep” was actually going to be for “The Maltese Falcon.” Perhaps the really hard-core noir fan prefers the plot to be completely inscrutable rather than merely a bit hard to follow.
@@DeeEllEff Agreed The Big Sleep is inscrutable. The screenplay is close to the book at first, up to the point where the studio decided to make it a romantic story, presumably because of the Bogart-Bacall chemistry. There's distinctly a seam where the first screenplay was abandoned, and the last part of the movie doesn't always make sense with reference to the first part.
Edit: But I personally enjoyed every minute of it regardless.
Great list. Out of the Past is, for my money, the best film noir. Extra special kudos for including Kiss Me Deadly. An omission, in my opinion: The Asphalt Jungle.
Many thanks for your interesting movie list. Best wishes from Finland.
Great list - Some I have not seen-I’m looking forward to viewing them. I have a few more” Murder My Sweet”, “ A Touch of Evil”, “ The Postman Always Rings Twice””.
Agree with all of these (that's I've watched, anyway). As cliché as they might be, I'd supply The Third Man and In a Lonely Place (if it fits the genre).
Some of my Noir favourites:
Detour, Split Second, Fallen Angel, Where The Sidewalk Ends, Black Tuesday, 5 Fingers
Nice List...Other favorites to consider; Touch of Evil, The Third Man, Chinatown, He Walked By Night, They Live By Night, Nightmare Alley, New York Confidential, Force of Evil, The Killing, Murder My Sweet, The Glass Key, Elevator to the Gallows, The Big Combo, Maltese Falcon, Rififi, Notorious, Nightfall...more contemporary; L.A. Confidential, Body Heat...
Orson Wells did the mirrors in “Citizen Kane” as well.
I've always been a huge fan of Born To Kill with Tierney and Trevor. It's one I constantly rewatch
Hey Aaron. That's one I've never actually seen. At a quick glance, it doesn't look like it's available on blu-ray, right?
@@ElliotCoen Not as far as I know I have it in the Film Noir Classics collection Vol 2. Which also included Narrow Margain, Dillinger, Crossfire and Clash by Night. Born to Kill was meant to make Tierney a star but he unfortunately got in his own way. He was made for the role and if you get a chance to see it, it's brilliant noir
@@CultofCinema Not one likable character in the movie. Everyone's a rat.
Chinatown-What a great script.Not a boring second from start to finish
I'm doing Noirvember for the first time this month. Double Indemnity is arguably the greatest film noir which I'll be revisiting. I also have The Big Heat in my collection which needs a watch.
I had to order The Big Sleep from cex and The Lady From Shanghai in the indicator sale a couple of days ago so I can't wait to watch that one.
Very surprised you didn't include Touch of Evil, The Killers or The Maltese Falcon in your list.
Nice list but 10 is very limited. I miss Laura, The Asphalt Jungle, Midred Pierce, The Postman always rings twice, Force of Evil, The Killers... and another fantastic film noir which is going to be released on Blu-ray soon: Nightmare Alley.
i really like murder, my sweet love the big sleep but murder ,my sweet is really fun dick did alright as Phillip Marlowe
Good choices, I haven't seen the "The Cobweb." here are some I like: A Place in the Sun, Leave Her To Heaven, Laura, Gaslight, Notorious, Shadow of a Doubt, Sapphire, I Confess, Sunset Boulevard, The Third Man.
Great list! My 2 favourite film noir: The Big Heat and White Heat
"Kiss Me Deadly" is very unusual. And, it's GREAT!
Hey Elliot! I've been wanting to watch more film noir movies because I have limited experience with them but I've immensely enjoyed the ones I've seen. Sweet Smell of Success was the last one I watched and thought it was excellent, and I thought the same of Double Indemnity which I saw not long before that. I'll be sure to check out the other films that you mentioned that I'm still yet to see! Fantastic video mate 👍
Hey, thanks so much for watching mate! If you like those two, I'm sure you'll love some of the others on this list :)
As I believe I heard the great Robert Mitchum say, back then they just called them "B" movies.
I love that. And funnily enough, these B movies probably have a longer lasting legacy than most A movies of the time!
@@ElliotCoen
Similar with Italian genre films, which many have to proven to have more longevity than some contemporary art films.
Good list, double indemnity is my favourite Film noir ever l think (haven't seen ,gun crazy' yet)
Can't go wrong with those picks. Michael Curtiz's The Breaking Point and Frank Borzage's Moonrise are two noirs I want to see more love for!
Hey James! Those are two I've never actually seen. Both are on Criterion, right? I should pick those up soon.
Seconded - great entry from Elliot and two great recs to go on top.
Good weekends.
Both underrated, for sure.
One of my favorites that seems to be overlooked is Hitchcock’s “Shadow of a Doubt”. I love how on the surface it’s old fashioned and light hearted but underneath it’s a really dark film
I love Shadow of a doubt and I'm not even a real fan of Hitchcock films. There's that deceptively rosy surface with the ugly truth hiding beneath it, as you said, and the B&W cinematography is excellent.
@Randy White Read my post. The phrase I used was "not a real fan." I didn't say "dislike" and I didn't imply dislike. I just like film noir better, and that makes Shadow of a Doubt my favorite Hitchcock movie because it's excellent film noir.
@Randy White I don't know where you're getting that from. I like Hitchcock just fine without being a rabid worshipper of all things Hitchcock, ok? He's a movie director not a god. Directors have their pluses and minuses. Shadow of a Doubt displays all of his pluses.
I agree with all those noir selections except for Kiss Me Deadly. I have seen these so many times. A couple to add to the list are The Postman Always Rings Twice and The Asphalt Jungle.
Brilliant list - just spot on and on everything