Better Noir Film

[Goblinmonger]

Background for your decision. I have the great pleasure of teaching a film studies class next semester to high school students. I am an English teacher and teach the class as a literature class which focuses on film techniques with the ultimate end being to understand film and it's thematic impact on us.

Anyway, I start with a film noir flick. For a couple reasons. They are classics that many kids don't have exposure to. It is also not a ratings problem so I can show it before I get the permission slips back from the parents. The last (first) time I taught the class I showed Casablanca. Not that I don't like it but I am thinking of switching to The Asphalt Jungle and am wondering if people agree with me about it being a better representation of noir (part of our discussion of Casablanca was about if it actually was noir). I am not going to stop showing a noir--I like them and it leads well into our showing of Blade Runner.

Thoughts are appreciated.

[FSogol]

1. Other: The Maltese Falcon.

"When a man's partner is killed, he's supposed to do something about it. It doesn't make any difference what you thought of him. He was your partner and you're supposed to do something about it. And it happens we're in the detective business. Well, when one of your organization gets killed, it's-it's bad business to let the killer get away with it, bad all around, bad for every detective everywhere."

PS. Picked Casablanca over The Asphalt Jungle.

[Goblinmonger]

2. Put in the "other" option.

Yeah, I've thought about Falcon. I went with Casablanca because of the fact that it may be more appealing to the girls in my class. I didn't find that it was. I guess I have to weigh Falcon against Jungle. I just really like Hurst.

[FSogol]

3. I did pick Casablanca over The Asphalt Jungle. n/t

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. That would be my vote, too

It has all the elements: the cynical "good guy," bad guys vaguely connected with the underworld, and a duplicitous dame.

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

4. Touch of Evil

has always occupied my top spot for noir, in addition to all the oft-imitated, never-outdone bells and whistles of Orson Wells. I might suggest Sunset Boulevard too, although that's more noir-black comedy.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

13. A high school audience might be distracted by the idea of Charlton Heston

in pancake make-up playing a Mexican.

[barbtries]

5. Laura, or

Rebecca. does hitchcock qualify? the one with jimmy stewart in a wheelchair is really great, can't think of the damn title right now.

[FSogol]

6. Rear Window. n/t

[Goblinmonger]

9. We watch Rear Window for our suspense/Hitch movie

It isn't solid enough in the noir genre to take that slot, though.

[FSogol]

10. I agree. n/t

[JackRiddler]

15. I like Vertigo better, though.

[brendan120678]

7. If you're willing to try "neo-noir," my favorite...

is Chinatown. Even though it was made in the early 1970s, it is set in the 1930s, and contains most of the elements that the Film Noir movies from the 40s and 50s did.

[Goblinmonger]

8. I love Chinatown

And recommend it when we talk about noir, but try to stick more in the "gut" of the genre.

[G. Odoreida]

11. I would go with a three pack, take your pick:

A-list studio noir, have to go with "Double Indemnity". Chandler's dialogue drips acid, two great actors (Stanwyck, Robinson) playing to their strengths and one (MacMurray) hitting a pitch he never did before or since, and a director at the peak of his talent.

B-picture noir, how can it not be "Detour"?? Watch it. Just watch it. If "film noir" has a entry in the dictionary, it has to be illustrated by Ann Savage's face.

Neo-noir, my choice would be "Miller's Crossing" The scene where Bernie shows up in Tom's apartment late at night is one of the greatest ever filmed. "If Caspar ain't a stiff soon, I'm gonna start eating in restaurants....."

[JackRiddler]

14. Casablanca is of noir but not really noir.

The true classic noir is Maltese Falcon or Big Heat.

[htuttle]

16. How about "The Naked City"

It's very dated by today's standards, but if you give it a chance, it's a pretty good film. The cinematography is great.

[mackerel]

17. I would've gone with Casa Blanca based on the elements

of the love story-pleasing to girls and the war-real part of history.

You're saying the girls weren't that interested in the film?

[pscot]

18. Kiss me Deadly

is my personal favorite. L A has never looked better. Hard boiled as hell, and Meeker/Hammer's relationships with women will definitely provide something to talk about. And it makes a great double feature with Repo Man.

[fishwax]

19. Since nobody has mentioned The Big Sleep, I'll toss it out there

I actually prefer it to The Maltese Falcon, though I know I'm generally in the minority there. Double Indemnity is also great. Of the two films that you've mentioned, I think Casablanca is the better movie but The Asphalt Jungle is a better example of noir, imo.

I saw upthread that you've already settled on Casablanca, but I wanted to toss my thoughts in just the same. Enjoy the semester!

[eleny]

20. DOA with Edmond O'Brien - 1950