AudioCircle
Music and Media => The Cinema => Topic started by: Tyson on 27 Nov 2017, 09:44 pm
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Preamble
I've done a haiku of a modern film noir (Blood Simple by the Coens). Time for a real, actual noir from the 50's. I've seen several at this point and I feel like In a Lonely Place is one of the best. I know some people don't like b&w films, in fact I used to be one of them. But that was because I was watching crappy transfers on a low res source - usually a TV broadcast or an old DVD. Once I started watching great remasters/transfers on blu ray and via a very bright and sharp 4k projector, I finally 'got' b&w movies in a way that just wasn't possible to me before. Anyway, onto the haiku...
Haiku
This is Dixon Steele (Humphrey Bogart) - he's a washed up Hollywood screenwriter who's become a drunk and has a very nasty mean streak. He also uses his former fame/success to pick up women to be slept with and discarded on a quite regular basis. Here he's doing it to Mildred, a hat/coat check girl at the bar he frequents:
(http://www.cageyfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/in-a-lonely-place_01.jpg)
Unfortunately for Dix, Mildred is murdered that same night. Luckily his neighbor Laurel Grey is able to provide him an alibi.
(http://www.noirfilm.com/Inaloneyplace3.gif)
Of course they start to fall in love. She's coming out of an abusive relationship and Dix seems like a decent guy (at first).
(https://m00ch.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/lonelyplace3.jpg)
The police don't believe him or his alibi.
(http://www.jwomedia.com/uploads/7/1/6/5/7165332/in-a-lonely-place-police-station_orig.jpg)
It doesn't help that this is how he looks when he describes in graphic detail how the murder might have happened:
(https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--n1dT0ONO--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/izrdskfesqrbfh6x9saa.jpg)
Even Laurel starts having her doubts about Dix.
(http://sensesofcinema.com/assets/uploads/2011/06/In-a-Lonely-Place.jpg)
Possibly because he keeps getting into random bar fights.
(http://nonsite.org/wp-content/uploads/videos/Pippin/Clip_2.jpg)
Or that he starts treating her like this, because she doesn't 'trust' him anymore.
(https://cdn.highdefdigest.com/uploads/2016/04/28/660/image3.jpeg)
This is where he seriously considers strangling her to death, because she's about to leave him.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvp3PYScK-c/T9Vzbjk_6DI/AAAAAAAAC1o/4wtAO7RcAnM/s1600/In-a-Lonely-Place-3.jpg)
Dix is eventually cleared of the initial murder charge, but it's faaaaarrr too late to salvage his relationship with Laurel. So here he is, walking away. Alone. Always alone.
(https://jamesriverfilm.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/lonely_10rev.jpg)
Conclusion
OK, that was some pretty bleak stuff! I guess the lesson to take away is 'don't be a dick', even if you look like Humphrey Bogart.
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Your next assignment is Ace in the Hole.
Then try Edge of Doom and report back.
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Ace in the Hole is definitely on the list! Edge of Doom, never heard of that one...
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More titles:
Out of the Past
Angel Face
Double Indemnity
DOA
And one of my favorites: Woman in the Window. Do NOT read anything about this film before you watch it. Edward G. Robinson is in it. This is one I wish I could completely unremrmber and see it again for the first time.
Enjoy!