Shadows of Noir

The gloves stay on for this episode of the Shadows of Noir podcast, as Marc and Dan stick with the boxing-noir subtype. Also released in 1949, just like The Set-Up from last episode, there is plenty of room for comparing and contrasting the two films. Marc and Dan dive deep into the story’s situations, character choices, and also the larger, deeper questions that the film poses. If you enjoy narrative analysis and dissecting character development, this is one you won’t want to skip. 

Marc and Dan are back for another round as they dissect the 1949 boxing noir, The Set-Up. Expertly crafted by Robert Wise, this drama shows how the passage of time changes so much, yet certain elements of human nature can persist through the ages. With a standout performance from Robert Ryan, and wonderful supporting roles by several others, The Set-Up is a subtly complex story told through excellent acting and beautiful visual compositions. 

For a special Halloween episode, Marc and Dan welcome back Clay McCormack, a cohost of the Rotten Horror Picture Show podcast, to discuss the intersection of film noir and horror. The conversation dives into the visual and thematic connections between the two areas, specifically tracing their roots back to German Expressionism. They also highlight the influence of historical events on cinematic styles and the crossover of talent between horror and noir films. The episode also touches on the evolution of horror and noir, the role of budget constraints in creative filmmaking, and the enduring appeal of these films. Happy Halloween!

Join Marc and Dan as they break down The Narrow Margin, one of the ultimate displays of B-Noir. Efficient narrative progression and character development. Crackerjack dialogue expertly delivered by McGraw and Windsor. And nearly nonstop, heart-pounding suspense, make the film itself feel like a fast-moving train. Beautifully photographed and filled with noir themes and sensibility, it’s amazing to see how good a movie can be on a low budget.

Shadows of Noir is heading to the train yard with Human Desire from 1954. Directed by Fritz Lang and featuring an astounding performance from Gloria Grahame, this film may be a lot more interesting and complex than it initially seems. Join Marc and Dan as they take a deeper look!

Criss Cross is a film noir often discussed and appreciated, and for good reason. Directed by the great Robert Siodmak, and starring Burt Lancaster, Yvonne De Carlo, and Dan Duryea, few other movies epitomize the feeling of film noir as well as this one all the way through to the final frame. Join Marc and Dan as they break down this essential from 1949! Related Books on: https://shadowsofnoir.com/ Los Angeles's Bunker Hill: https://shadowsofnoir.com/product/los-angeless-bunker-hill-pulp-fictions-mean-streets-and-film-noirs-ground-zero/ Burt Lancaster Biography: https://shadowsofnoir.com/product/burt-lancaster-an-american-life/ Dan Duryea Biography: https://shadowsofnoir.com/product/dan-duryea-heel-with-a-heart/ NEXT EPISODE: SCARLET STREET (1945)

Join Marc and Dan as they rewind back to the early years of film noir's development with This Gun for Hire. Released only months after the United States entered WWII and photographed by the great John Seitz, This Gun for Hire is an important film in the noir canon for several reasons. Tune in for an in-depth review of the film and why it matters for all the noir nerds out there! https://shadowsofnoir.com/

Gather around folks, it's time to hear all about Stanton Carlisle, Zeena, and the rest of the Nightmare Alley crew as Marc and Dan move into the darkest corner of film noir's classic era. With its history, performances, visual makeup, character depth, themes, and messages, the original film version of Nightmare Alley truly stands the test of time. You won't want to miss this one! https://shadowsofnoir.com/ https://shadowsofnoir.com/product/nightmare-alley/

From the gritty, hard-boiled story by Cornell Woolrich, to the vision and expert coordination of producer Joan Harrison, to the masterful execution of director Robert Siodmak, Phantom Lady seemed to be destined for film noir history. Join Marc and Dan as they discuss this classic that not only stands tall on its own merits, but also holds an important place in the evolution of film noir's classic era. https://shadowsofnoir.com/

What do you get when you pair Akira Kurosawa with the world of film noir? You get BIG questions posed in a masterful way. Join Marc and Dan as they explore Stray Dog from 1949. A simple noir story done a little differently than the American noirs of the late 1940s, but one that gets you contemplating some deep philosophical ideas. https://shadowsofnoir.com/

Join Marc and Dan as they dive headfirst into the world of Raymond Chandler with Murder, My Sweet from 1944. Based on Chandler's 1940 novel Farewell, My Lovely, it features one of the most iconic private eyes in all of crime literature/film, Philip Marlowe. Murder, My Sweet was monumental for the role in played in film noir's "discovery" by French film critics in 1946, and it's a discussion you certainly won't want to miss. Shadows of Noir is also pleased to announce the noir book section of the website as well! There are source novels, reference books, and biographies for sale on the website, including several that relate to Murder, My Sweet directly. Check them out here! Farewell, My Lovely Raymond Chandler: A Biography Creatures of Darkness: Raymond Chandler Detective Fiction and Film Noir Dick Powell: A One-Person Play in Two Acts Caught in the Crossfire: Adrian Scott and the Politics of Americanism in 1940s Hollywood

Get your raincoat, because Marc and Dan are discussing The Spiral Staircase for episode 19! Amidst a powerful storm, in a big, dark house, we have a thrilling noir that stands the test of time. Directed and photographed by film noir legends Robert Siodmak and Nicholas Musuraca, respectively, this film looks like few others in the film noir canon. Join Dan and Marc for an in-depth look at the story progression, the characters, the visuals, the themes, and more!  https://shadowsofnoir.com

Join us for an in-depth discussion of one of Marc's favorite films, Born to Kill. Under the direction of the ever-versatile Robert Wise, Claire Trevor and Lawrence Tierney give us two of the darkest characters in all of film noir. This one pushes the limits in many ways, and is almost made for analysis. Tune in while Dan and Marc cover many aspects of the film and its lasting legacy within the film noir canon. https://shadowsofnoir.com

Huge announcement for the Shadows of Noir podcast! Previous guest Marc Hinkley has come on board as co-host! Thrilled to announce that Marc will be co-hosting the show going forward, bringing his knowledge, insights, and interest to the discussions. To kick off the new format, we dive deep into the 1946 film Black Angel. We discuss several aspects of the movie, including the set design, cinematography, literary adaptation, underlying themes, and characters. Hope you enjoy!

Joining us to discuss the visual style and artistic roots of film noir is professional artist and fellow noir enthusiast, Marc Hinkley. With his own fine art series inspired by film noir's cinematographers, Marc has an incredible eye for frame composition and the emotion that can live within an image. He gives us some great history of German Expressionism, and how that fed so naturally into film noir. We also discuss some of Marc's favorite films, scenes, and how he chooses particular works for inspiration. Hope you enjoy! Marc's Website: https://marchinkley.com/ Film Noir Series: https://marchinkley.com/film-noir

After a brief summer break, we're back with a heavy hitter from film noir's classic era. Join us as we continue with the subject of B-Noir and dive into Detour from 1945. From PRC and directed by Edgar G. Ulmer, Detour has gained legendary status in more recent years as a masterful representation of film noir. And with a famous (although uncertain) budget and production schedule, Detour reminds us that unlimited resources are not necessary to produce a great work.

After a few individual film episodes, we venture back in history to discuss the motion picture industry, and how major events and developments affected the classic era of film noir. We discuss the formation of the studio system in Hollywood, and the industry developments that helped enable the production, distribution, and exhibition of different types of films over the years. We discuss B-pictures more broadly, and how they blended so nicely with the film noir formula. And we conclude with the major events that led to their downfall. Hope you enjoy! Website: shadowsofnoir.com Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/ShadowsofNoir/

We are joined today by Veronica Fitzpatrick to discuss Mildred Pierce. Veronica is a film professor and critic, and also a host on The Bright Wall/Dark Room Podcast. Her knowledge is extensive and together we discuss the melodramatic noir classic from 1945, while also diving into larger concepts of genre and film history. You won't want to miss this one! We also have our new online shop up with some branded clothing and branded drinkware, so you can showcase your love of film noir and help support the show! Please check it out if you can: Shadows of Noir Shop

Sticking with 20th Century Fox film noir, we fast-forward a few years from Road House (1948) and talk about Where the Sidewalk Ends. Directed by Otto Preminger and starring Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney, this one is a reunion for the same trio that brought us Laura six years before. With these immensely important figures in film noir, along with highly noir story filled with dark settings, characters, and themes, this 1950 film is especially representative of the classic era.  Patreon: patreon.com/ShadowsofNoir/ Website: shadowsofnoir.com Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/ShadowsofNoir/

What do you get when you combine Ida Lupino and Richard Widmark, two of the most influential people in all of film noir? You get Road House from 1948. Join us as we dissect this melodramatic noir and use it to help highlight the unbelievable contributions of Lupino and Widmark to the world of film noir. Patreon: patreon.com/ShadowsofNoir/ Website: shadowsofnoir.com Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/ShadowsofNoir/