GordonCole

Any script based on the Johnny Stompanato murder is worth seeing. Great exegesis on the series "Naked City" and thanks for the episode update. Recently I was at a store selling many boxed dvd sets and saw the "Naked City" one and realize I should purchase it due to its great panache in storylines ripped from the headlines. Thanks for the fine review.

I've always thought that Ethan Hawke looked amazingly like character actor and stage performer, Henry Hull. Here's hoping that Hawke has as long of a career as the southern gentleman who worked on film for eons.

Deep down, I'd prefer no film nominees for any awards, and more recognition for things in life that warrant being appreciated but I'm sure my stance will not be followed by the Academy but I do think they need to spend more time of checking their winner envelopes henceforward.

And I assume you knew that Lurch was the great-grandson of Butch Cassidy?

I can have some sympathy for David Cassidy who I think suffered from the same malady that assails other youngsters of celebrities when they reach higher pinnacles of success than mother or father. I seem to remember back in the day that Jack who was most talented had a bit of a problem that his son had eclipsed him in fame and popularity. One would think one with his looks and prestigious place in theatrical history would be glad his progeny was doing well, but I think he was quite jealous of David's success and whether that has any bearing on what followed who knows. I remember once reading that even someone of the stature of Robert Montgomery had green eyes regarding his daughter Elizabeth's fame and tv series, which seems unconscionable for a star of his magnitude. She said once I believe "I think my father doesn't like me too much" and I may be paraphrasing but such a state is a sad one in my estimation.

Mr. Gorman, in film noir circles the author of "The Woman Chaser", namely Charles Willeford is considered one of the forgotten seminal figures in such fiction and has never really gotten his due except as a cult author for the few who have read his works. Thanks for bringing attention to the film made of TWC which deserves attention even if it is not the best adaptation.

Haven't read the entire thread yet, but a justly famous color noir film, and not just because it was shot by the great cinematographer John Alton is "Slightly Scarlet" starring Arlene Dahl and based on the written work of James M. Cain. It is lushly photographed in blazing color and rings true as a noir classic.

Very sad moment for both TCM and its viewing audience. A class act and a great interviewer and a true film historian who will be missed. Goodbye, Sweet Prince [as was said when John Barrymore passed]...

I watched this show with veiled enthusiasm, since some parts of the plot seemed to be lifted whole cloth from the infamous cult film, "Mommy Dearest" as if the writers were too lazy to come up with their own ideas. Also the shots of Bette in front of her dressing table, looking exactly like she did when Eve entered into her life in AAE, and the ice cube scene with Joan from MD were so cliched but being that it was just a silly pastiche of a famous feud, all in all I enjoyed it for what it was, mostly a rehashing in a Confidential Magazine style of their mutual dislike and Sarandon and Lange were amusing to watch. Why hit a gnat with a sledgehammer in any type of criticism, since this was just fun folderol and the the Aldrich and Warner characters were adding to the silliness that harms no one, but maybe Bette and Lucille. I give it a seven out of ten, but you still can't dance to it!

If you like your lager lite, instead of a deep, richly layered brew like Guinness, then you might prefer your noir lite too, and Eddie Muller as host would be just your cup of tea, albeit in a watered-down version with a lot of milk. Ergo, Mr. Muller was an excellent choice for hosting duties for neophyte noir fans and he seems to have fully absorbed the concept of “An expert is someone who knows how to be wrong with a lot of authority” as his guest on one of Muller’s TCM Wine Club segments was extolling to him in praise of such limited standards of knowledge and expertise. But for the dedicated and more intense noir aficionado, a host with a more expansive knowledge of film, the sensibilities of a Frank or more seasoned scholars of literature and cinema and a less banal perception of the underpinnings of the genre beyond the superficial dark dames mode, would be admirable in the future. May I suggest that next time TCM begins a noir weekly series that they hire an alternative host with second opinion status as to what constitutes the entire noir spectrum to give viewers a counterpoint to the simplistic Noir Lite mode. It might also be refreshing to see antecedents discussed as in the literature preceding the film history of tales like Renoir's “La Chienne” by author Fouchardiere or the Zola based “La Bete Humaine” or even less discussed “poets of the wet streets and turgid tabloids” with the work of Kersh, Hamilton, Genet, West, Huysman, Conrad and Gide [whose “The Counterfeiters” predates later facsimile scripts turned into films] or someone like Thompson and his “The Killer Inside Me”. And just to be entirely revolutionary, it might be time to see a female hostess with serious noir chops, for the next Serie Noire TCM installment, instead of the all-male contingent who run foundations and continually host such discussions, and all seem to resemble the bland John Forbes character in the “Pitfall” film. This way there would be a tangible noir milieu for both sects to languorously dwell in and enjoy on TCM, for both the beginning casual fan and the more devout follower. Speaking of wine, for some TCM viewers, Film Noir Brut is more appealing than Film Noir Demi-Sec. Thanks, TCM for giving an outlet here for both types of thought from the cable subscribers to your network.

You'll have to ask Master Bates.

I wanted to say in my personal opinion that Dr. Strangelove does fit some noir criteria but thought I might be the only one seeing such inferences. Thanks for opining your assessment, Joe. To me Kubrick is always a bit noirish.

I like to learn something new each day and thanks to your post I learned much more than that about those of the "psittaciformes" and "corvidae" avian varieties. When I think of birds in movies I am always reminded of Norman Bates lecturing Ms. Crane about how the phrase "eating like a bird" is so wrong since they actually eat quite a lot. Very interesting post and thanks!

At the risk of being called a "nasty man" by some posters here who are risibly challenged, would that donation site include organ grinders?

Being that the Splendid Splinter's body was cryogenically frozen perhaps it still can be donated to a science laboratory. It was the victim of neuroseparation which has not stopped some from posting online though at movie and other related sites, so it might still be viable if the Alcor institution okays it, not to be confused with the Albacore Club group from the movie Chinatown.

Your mention of the brand name, Coca Cola got me to thinking about its use in Dr. Strangelove, but of course that's not noir. My wife mentioned the film Fire Down Below saying she thinks they mention the soft drink in it and even with Mitchum and Hayworth it might not technically be noir, but it was written by Max Catto who also wrote a very noirish tale called Bad Blonde that in the film starred Barbara Payton, a noirish dame if there ever was one, Cigar Joe.

Very interesting topic. Like American Graffiti, yet earlier, Kenneth Anger in some of his films used well known hits of the day like He's a Rebel to be undertones on the intercutting of scenes using DeMille's crucifixion walk with H.B. Warner and the modern shots. But as you say this was not being done in noirs, or utilization of any brand names or concepts which is fun to contemplate. I once had a book about Joseph H. Lewis that as I recall mentioned that he liked the use of familiar objects and items with brand names in his films to give an air of authenticity, like in Gun Crazy or My Name is Julia Ross type films.

If you decide to wander off the more travelled path a bit, I suggest The Devil and Daniel Webster with Walter Huston. Great movie but just not as well known. Enjoy your list.

You forgot also how much Don Knotts and Mick Jagger look from any angle. The devil is in the details, sympathetically speaking.

I think you've got something there, Rip.

Nope...second generation.

I'm guessing you meant Reiko and probably no one could spell her name, since I just had to look it up myself. She was the wife of comedy legend and writer, Jack Douglas who used to appear on the Jack Paar programs where Reiko would browbeat him into oblivion in every conversation. They also appeared on Merv Griffin's programs occasionally. A most hilarious combination of marital bliss and discord. Mostly discord!

I have heard her play flamenco guitar and she is quite accomplished. The looks belie the talent hidden by all the artifice.

Wasn't he in Prince of the City? I also have a vague remembrance of him in that wacky John Goldfarb, Please Come Home film. Probably more famous to people familiar with stage work in some instances.

Wasn't she wonderful. Looked just like my Aunt Gertrude but she could not do the splits unfortunately. They don't make them like that anymore. Too bad vaudeville is dead.