Thanks for the list! I decided to take a look at noir because so many of the movies I already loved were considered noir (and I didn't even know it). Now the problem is finding time to see them. Darn work interrupting my film obsession, grumble grumble grumble. I don't really watch television so I have to get my movies from the internet and my beloved Netflix.
The first movie I really noticed the play of light in black and white film was "Arsenic and Old Lace"
Although some modern films are beautiful and excellent there are really few that can compare to the films of the 30-40s. I am already a big fan of that era (I was raised by my grandma and that was her time in the world). I have yet to see in modern film anything close to that heavy gorgeous satin the women wore out to dinner and dancing, like it was nothing. The smart witty dialogue (I am thinking of His Girl Friday and It Happened One Night) and the scandalous behavior (all without gratuitous nudity or chase scenes or excessive violence)
Anyway I could go on and on but I will stop here. Thanks again and I will keep you posted on my safari.
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Originally Posted by cinderella
Good for you, Venus! Not everyone gets the intricacy and sensitivity of black and white, and how it enhances the overall 'feel' of the story/plot. There are films in the b/w format that would never work in color. It's those gray areas and grainy feel, the wet, dark streets that ARE film noir. In my opinion, there's nothing ever come close to those wonderful noir films of the 40's. If you are serious about educating yourself in the nuances of film noir, there are several noir 'must see' films we can recommend. High on my list would be 'Double Indemnity', 'The Naked City', 'In A Lonely Place', 'Out of the Past', 'Murder My Sweet', 'The Killers', and so many others I'm sure Jet and Graphita could also recommend. I think, with your sensitiviy, you will love these films as well. There's something about film noir that lures you in, and once you're hooked, you'll want to see them all!
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