Critic at Larch – Film Noir Festival at The Egyptian Theatre

The Egyptian Theatre, beginning April 20th, will hold its 14th Annual Festival of Film Noir in cooperation with the Film Noir Foundation. This classic theatre will show thirty films over a period of 16 days. Eddie Muller and Alan K. Rode of the Film Noir Foundation will introduce each evening’s showings. Given their unparalleled knowledge of this film genre, the viewer will come away with a greater understanding and appreciation of these special films.

The advent of film noir started in in the mid 1940’s and lasted until the late 1950’s. Most people associate the genre with hard boiled crime stories shot in black and white, although there are exceptions, such as Chinatown shot in color in 1974. The use of dim light and deep shadows are used to convey a cynical attitude of man’s nature. The plots are basically simple often laced with wise cracking cops and gangsters. The dialogue is often amusing and laced with invectives that would make today’s politically correct wince.

You will see some of the classics of noir such as The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Maltese Falcon, Johnny O’Clock, Nobody Lives Forever, and many more. Film heavyweights John Garfield, Alan Ladd, and Lana Turner add to the richness of these classics. Enjoy the 14th Annual Film Noir Festival – one of the unique film opportunities just minutes from our neighborhood.

AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE – Noir City: Hollywood, 14th Annual Festival of Film Noir

Egyptian Theater Festival of Film Noir