Dark City: Lost World of Film Noir

Noir Chick

at 11:37 pm

I was given this as a present a few years ago and have read it at least once every three months since. It is packed with information on the actors, directors, writers and the plot of some of the greatest and some of the lesser known noirs. What Eddie Muller doesn’t know about noir isn’t worth knowing.

The pictures are plentiful and gorgeous to look at and he writes with an easy,hip and cool manner but in no way is it pretentious. There are lots of books out there on the subject but most are dry, overly analytical and quite frankly, boring. Every time I read this I find new information on an actor or film that I hadn’t noticed before and he sets out the films in their social and political contexts, briefly, as well. There is also lots of information on the noir authors without whom there wouldn’t have been the films.

There is a very helpful bibliography and a colour section of some of the fabulous film posters, so much better than the head shots of today. Glorious book, in fact I’m going to buy another copy so I can remove the pictures and frame them. But be warned, it’s addictive. Amazon and US Amazon have made a lot of money from me as every time I read this I go straight to them to buy the films! Eddies other books are worth checking out as well especially his enormous hardback of ‘The Art of Noir’, it’s filled with the posters of the time and ‘Dark City Dames – The Wicked Women of Film Noir’. Another good book is Arthur Lyons ‘Death on the Cheap – The Lost ‘B’ Movies of Film Noir’. Buy this and you won’t regret it, if you love noir you’ll love this.

Rating: 5 / 5

Iceni

at 3:57 am

This is a highly entertaining book, with loads of film stills and images of 1940s film noir posters. The author talks about what makes the films so enjoyable- gorgeous stars, exciting plots, smart one-liners. Many books on film noir almost seem embarrassed by this side of the films – taking a very dry and academic approach, ignoring the charisma and joy of the films. Muller by contrast is infectiously enthusiastic.
Rating: 5 / 5