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Movies from comedy to drama to your favorite Hollyweird Star.

dunno if they 'qualify' for the category.

24.8.237.143

Although the 'film noir (dark film in French) started in the late 30's in France, the genre in the US film did not blossom till 40s.

Usualy with moody/high contrast cinematography with lots of downbeat/corny characters such as Sam Spade in the Maltese Falcon often parodied in urban settings.

For notable Cagney film in this genre, I'd say 'White Heat' ("Made it ma! top of the world!) fits the bill.

some of my favorite include:
Laura ( great score by David Raksin, BTW) 1944
Mildred Pierce aka my mother, a waitress! 1945
Gilda 1946
Notorious 1946
Pastman always rings twice 1946 ( also Nicholson/lang version in 1981)
DOA 1950 ( lame remake to follow later )
Crossfire 1947
Ace in the hole 1951
Sweet Smell of success 1957
Big Heat 1953
Killing 1956
Cape Fear 1962 ( again, the origianl Mitchum/Peck version has more impact than DeNiro remake,imho)
Manchurian Candidate 1962

There was a trend in 70s to bring back the film noir such as Chinatown, Taxi driver etc..( excellent films in thier own right) but alas, somehow, they just dont have the same 'feel' as the rest of the ealier greats.



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