Film Noir on Physical Media: The Essentials, Part II

Missed Part I? You can find it here.

A reminder that this and future lists in this project are for paid subscribers.

Thanks for reading and I hope it’s helpful.

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Night and the City (1950) Jules Dassin - 20th Century Studios

Criterion Blu-ray

Two-bit hustler Harry Fabian (Richard Widmark) is always looking for a life of glory and ease, thinking each scam he concocts will land him on Easy Street. Tired of making a pittance from pointing people to his boss’s nightclub, Harry’s determined to break into the wrestling game with a giant of a man named Gregorius (professional wrestler Stanislaus Zbyszko). But Harry has two strikes against him: he doesn’t understand the wrestling world and his secret relationship with his boss’s wife (Googie Withers) is no longer a secret. Filmed in London, due to director Jules Dassin’s HUAC ban from Hollywood, the film beautifully captures Harry as a man out-of-place, a loser surrounded by people who could care less about him. The Criterion Blu-ray includes the American and British versions of the film, but watch the American version first. It’s Dassin’s preferred cut, filled with darkness and an overarching tone of bleakness. The film also features Gene Tierney as Harry’s girlfriend, Hugh Marlowe, Herbert Lom, and Mike Mazurki.

The Night of the Hunter (1955) Charles Laughton - distributed by United Artists

Criterion Blu-ray

Perhaps the greatest “Not Your Typical Film Noir” movie of all time, The Night of the Hunter combines elements of a Grimm fairy tale with a serial killer preacher, terrified children, a too-trusting widow, a hidden fortune, and an elderly woman who fears no man. Set in Depression-era West Virginia, Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) is a killer posing as a preacher trying to find the children of a man who died in prison just as Powell was being released. Powell cares nothing about the deceased prisoner, but the kids may know where to find the $10,000 their dad stole. The Night of the Hunter is darkly comic, terrifying, and utilizes brilliant black-and-white cinematography. Criterion’s 2-disc Blu-ray is one of their very best, loaded with special features with over two hours of outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage. Since this is the only film Charles Laughton directed, these extras are priceless.

Nightmare Alley (1947) Edmund Goulding - 20th Century Studios

Criterion Blu-ray

Tyrone Power stars as Stanton “Stan” Carlisle, the barker for a sketchy traveling carnival. Stan is drawn to the carnival’s mind-reading act performed by Pete (Ian Keith) and Zeena (Joan Blondell). If he only knew the complex code used by Pete, Stan could take his place and do a much better job, but be careful what you wish for. Nightmare Alley is a unique film noir, perhaps one-of-a-kind, and certainly an oddity for its time. The film delves into the darkness of the heart but also explores love, ambition, and deep fear. This was certainly not what most audiences expected from the bright and sunny Tyrone Power, but Nightmare Alley is his finest moment as an actor.