Here at Chicks, we talk a lot about books—particularly mystery, obviously—but it’s been a minute since we’ve discussed film. It’s on my mind since I’m currently teaching a course that explores the rise and influence of film noir (which has of course adapted numerous crime novels for the screen, so perhaps it’s not that far from our usual beat).
We’ll sidestep the whole is-it-a-genre-or-a-style scholarly debate for now and go straight into a list of some characteristics of film noir:
- Black-and-white photography, disorienting camera angles, low-key lighting, and prominent use of voiceover.
- Flashbacks interrupting the flow of events (recursive rather than linear).
- Issues of moral ambiguity or ambivalence.
- Corrupt characters and/or femme fatales.
- Untrustworthy relationships that are undone by betrayal.
- Dark or cynical tones.
Although it may not be the most uplifting type of storytelling—happy endings are not exactly plentiful—noir’s ability to construct compelling narratives and reflect cultural anxieties has proven to be significant. The golden age of classic noir ended by the 1960s, but many movies to follow have incorporated noir elements, structures, and themes.
Here are the films we’re watching this semester:
- The Maltese Falcon (1941)
- Double Indemnity (1944)
- Mildred Pierce (1945)
- Out of the Past (1947)
- Sunset Boulevard (1950)
- Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
- Vertigo (1958)
- Chinatown (1974)
- Body Heat (1981)
- Blade Runner (1982)
- Blood Simple (1984)
- Bound (1996)
- Fight Club (1999)
- Mulholland Drive (2001)
At the end of term, we’ll be talking about films of the past twenty years in final projects, so we stop before that…but there are so many other films that could be on here too! Difficult decisions for sure. Which brings me to today’s questions: Which of these have you watched? What else would you add to the list for next time?
Chicks on the Case 
Fantastic list, Cynthia! I’ve watched these and many more. For those who may not know, YouTube features many of these films, most for free viewing. Also, there are playlists, and my favorite with high-quality movies is DK Classics. Some restored films offer excellent viewing, and for a few, you can snag free copies of the scripts (e.g., thescriptlab DOT com).
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Thank you very much, Grant–that’s wonderful information!
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That list! Fabulous. I can’t think of any movies to add offhand, but I will share this. I was on the Paramount lot last week, where I spent five years working on three different sitcoms. I wandered into the company store and saw a t-shirt with an image of an old typewriter and a script page from Sunset Boulevard in it. The scene was the one when Norma Desmond comes to the lot that ends with her line. “Without me, there wouldn’t be any Paramount Studios.” I thought, hey, nice work on this tee, Paramount! And bought it in two sizes.
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EL! You always have the best Hollywood stories. That is amazing.
You are definitely ready for your closeup. 🙂
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It was while watching Chinatown I realized that while I can appreciate the quality and complexity of storytelling in noir, it really isn’t my thing. Terribly cliche and and maybe shallow, but I like happier endings.
But they are some amazing stories.
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Thanks, Liz. And it’s not shallow at all…probably more people than not enjoy happy endings in their stories! 🙂
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I wish I was taking your class, Cynthia! I wonder if Casablanca could be included. It’s got plenty of moral ambiguity, Rick’s old flame as the femme fatale, and lots of criminal activity. I’ll also throw out the 1968 version of The Thomas Crown Affair. Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, what a pair!
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It would be so fun if we had a class together, JC! And I know people argue whether Casablanca is a romance or noir–but it seems to have most of the characteristics, right? I haven’t seen the original Thomas Crown Affair…think the one I saw had Pierce Brosnan in it, maybe? Adding to my list, thank you!
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I’ve seen Mildred Pierce, Vertigo, Sunset Blvd. and Chinatown. You might add The Spiral Staircase to the list for next time.
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Ooh, The Spiral Staircase terrified me when I was little–haven’t watched it since. Will have to be brave and give it another watch! Thank you for the suggestion.
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What a great list–so wish I could audit your class, Cyn! “Body Heat” is one of my favorite films (as is “Double Indemnity.”) I always thought they should make a sequel to “Body Heat,” where he gets his revenge on her, this time, many years later.
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Leslie, what a good idea…that would be a fascinating sequel! And I so wish we could be in a class too.
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I have seen: The Maltese Falcon, Vertigo, and Chinatown. I’ll definitely save your list for future viewing. I would add DOA (1949), Shadow of a Doubt (1943), Laura (1944), The Big Sleep (19460 ) and White Heat (1949).
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Those are excellent additions, Tom, thank you! I have seen the Dennis Quaid version of DOA, which I thought was interesting, but not the 1949 version.
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Cynthia, I know I’m always saying this, but I would so, so love to take one of your classes (no, all of them!). They always sound amazing. Your syllabus is perfect–seriously, I am going to work my way through these on my own, because there are a lot of elements that probably went over my head when I first viewed (some–haven’t seen many) of them. Recently I read a really interesting article about the direct relationship between The Big Sleep and The Big Lebowski. Wow. I had only seen the latter, but now I’ll do back-to-back viewings.
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Thank you, Lisa–you are so kind! If you watch and want to chat about the films, I would love talk movies with you anytime. And that article sounds fascinating too!
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I know I’ve watched The Maltese Falcon and Vertigo. I think I’ve watched Double Indemnity. As you can imagine, it’s not my favorite genre. I want my happy endings!
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Totally get that!
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Hubs and I are big noir fans. I love Bogart, so The Big Sleep and In a Lonely Place top the list for me. Also a big fan on The Blue Dahlia with Alan Ladd.
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Oh, those are great adds, Vickie, thank you!
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We are too, Vickie. In fact, I’m pretty much a fan of all genres, except those “jump-scare” horror movies. Egads.
Cynthia, I’ve seen all of these except Out of the Past which I’ve never even heard of! I could audit your class, but couldn’t contribute because my memory is like a sieve and I’d never be able to keep plot points separate. In fact, sometimes I dial up a movie and hubs says we’ve seen it. To which I confidently reply, no, we haven’t. If he argues, I’ll allow that maybe he saw it without me, but I decidedly have not seen it. Then I get about 75% in and say, “Oh yeah! This seems familiar.” But I can keep watching because—see above—sieve.
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Happens to us too…there’s just so much to watch and it doesn’t always stick!
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Can’t add anything to this list! I’ve seen The Maltese Falcon, Vertigo, Chinatown, Blade Runner, Fight Club, and Mulholland Drive.
Your classes sound amazing, Cyn!
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Aw, thank you, Jen! Looks like you’ve seen a lot already! 🙂
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I’ve seen several movies from the list, would like to see a few more. One thing on my wish list is to be in Seattle for one of Renee Patrick’s noir film events! Now your class looks like something to add to the list.
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Oh, I would love to go to one of Renee Patrick’s noir events too! What an honor to be on the same list, thank you! 🙂
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Oh my GRACIOUS, I wish I were taking your class!! What a dream that would be!
I’m a huge classic film buff, and film noir was always a fave. I’ve seen all of these except Bound.
This is a perfect list. Maybe I’d add Strangers on a Train or Laura?
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