The Postman Always Rings Twice

The Postman Always Rings Twice
Originally uploaded by Greenman 2008

I didn't think I liked Lana Turner until I saw this film. She was incredible in the film, and the direction, acting, lighting, storyline--everything worked beautifully. It is one film noir that I can watch over and over again. John Garfield is a sexy lout--very well matched with Lana's particular brand of incendiary blonde. And of course the inimitable Audrey Totter gives a memorable cameo performance in the film. Highly recommend the book Dark City Dames for a portrait of the real Audrey. I loved Cecil Kellaway's creepy portrayal of the husband, especially when he was singing and playing guitar--or was it a ukelele? Hume Cronyn was a young, snarky lawyer in this film. Great scenes with the car on curvy California roads--and I loved the opening scene at the gas station. Kinda the same feeling as the opening scene of Out of the Past.

Human Desire

Name that Film.
Originally uploaded by rattlingdjs

Yes, the ubiquitous cigarettes. You might want to drink whiskey just watching these characters from the days when cigarettes were considered desirable. Part of the innuendo that lies under the surface of all film noir. Femme fatales smoked--it's that simple. Or is it simple? The subtext had to do with sexuality at its most potent. These were not the women who were vacuuming in high heels and pearls. What is the cachet of the women of film noir? They were dangerous because they brought out the hidden aspect of American society: desire, decadence, and the underground thrill of bad habits!