3 Classic Film Noirs Vol. 1

The Maltese Falcon (1941), Laura (1944), and To Have and to Have Not (1944)

Film noir is characterized by a sense of fatalism, menace, depravity, and darkness. The term "film noir" was actually coined and bestowed on these films by the French.

During the war, France was no longer able to get American films; France was controlled by Hitler and the Vichy government. So, when the war finally ended and French audiences were again able to see American films, they were very surprised at the dramatic change. These films were decidedly dark, hence the term "noir." Hollywood and America had left the age of carefree, forget your troubles movies of the Depression and had moved on to pictures that showed the sinful reality of life in a time of war and depravity.

Suffice it to say, “film noir” can be hard for some to adjust to, just as it was for the French. I’ve tried to pick three films that I think will ease your way into both watching and understanding film noir. I think you’ll enjoy them, too!

- Olivia

The Maltese Falcon (1941)- 1 hr 41 mins

Detective Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) in his office with his partner

A private detective (Humphrey Bogart) takes on a case that forces him to interact with three criminals (Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, and Elisha Cook Jr.) and a beautiful woman (Mary Astor) in their search for a priceless statuette of a falcon.

Availability: Youtube , Amazon video, Googleplay, and on DVD.

Purchase DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Maltese-Falcon-Dashiell-Hammett/dp/B003ZEQMH8/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1534024533&sr=1-2&keywords=The+maltese+falcon+dvd&dpID=41czH4xuVIL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart), Ruth Wonderly (Mary Astor),Police Detective Dundy (Barton MacLane), Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre), and Detective Tom Polhaus (Ward Bond)

Laura (1944)- 1 hr 28 mins

Dana Andrews stars as New York detective Mark McPherson, who is investigating the murder of successful marketing executive Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney). While on the trail of her murderer, McPherson grows obsessed with the case; he finds himself falling in love with Laura. Coupled with one of the most beautifully haunting scores (linked below), Laura contains one of the most surprising moments in screen history.

I had avoided watching Laura for some time. The idea of a man falling in love with a dead woman didn't appeal to me, but on one rainy day, I decided to give it a go. That has been one of the best movie decisions that I’ve made. Laura is the film that I immediately show my friends; it's the perfect entry point to not only film noir but to classic films in general.

Score: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIWTqMoTUM8&index=3&list=PLdgPWGm3l7ux7cN_AYZlB4YKyOGg3Hj4k

With Lyrics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yzgqclyvx0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sypcdyi3Oso

Availability: Youtube, Amazon video, Googleplay, DVD, and on Blu-ray.

Purchase DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Laura-Film-Noir-Gene-Tierney/dp/B00008LDNZ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1534024349&sr=8-2&keywords=laura+movie+dvd&dpID=51tX69kiugL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Purchase Blu-ray: https://www.amazon.com/Laura-Blu-ray-Gene-Tierney/dp/B00AF4OTM6/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1534024349&sr=8-2

To Have and To Have Not (1944)- 1 hr 46 mins

Steve (Humphrey Bogart) and Slim (Lauren Bacall)

In their first film together, real life married couple Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, star in this film version of Hemingway's classic.

In Vichy France, fishing boat captain Harry (Humphrey Bogart), along with his friend Eddie (Walter Brennan), avoids getting involved in politics by refusing to smuggle French Resistance fighters into Martinique. However, when circumstances get in the way, such as the beautiful singer Slim (Lauren Bacall), he finds it impossible to avoid getting involved.

The film does an excellent job of story telling amid an array of interesting characters and great chemistry form Bogart and Bacall.

Score: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcUd4Ezg6Ig&index=48&list=PLdgPWGm3l7ux7cN_AYZlB4YKyOGg3Hj4k

Availability: Youtube , Amazon video, Googleplay, DVD, and on Blu-ray.

Purchase DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Have-Not-Ernest-Hemingway/dp/B000FFJYAW/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1534024792&sr=1-1&keywords=to+have+and+to+have+not+dvd&dpID=514fW3GGiAL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Purchase Blu-ray: https://www.amazon.com/Have-Not-Blu-ray/dp/B01HQH1SQY/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1534024792&sr=1-1