"Now Listen to Me..."
Just some thoughts on this month’s happenings:
Classic film screenings from around the world this November include:
In Culpeper Virginia, The Library of Congress at the Packard Campus Theater is presenting The Heiress (1949, a 35mm print) Friday, November 1, and Once Upon a Time in the West (1968, a 35mm print) on Saturday, November 2.
Click on the poster image for more information on this film’s screening. To see the rest of November’s schedule, click on the Packard Campus image above.
The Burmese Harp
The Sacrifice
In New York City, New York, Film Forum has extended:
The Burmese Harp (1956, a 4k DCP Restoration) until Thursday, November 7 and The Sacrifice (1986, a New 4k Restoration) until Thursday, November 7.
‘Clara Bow Mondays’ is continuing with 4 of the legendary actress’ films this month: Her Wedding Night (1930, a 35mm print) Monday, November 4, Call Her Savage (1932, a 35mm print), Monday, November 11, Kick In (1931, a 35mm print) Monday, November 18, and Wings (1924, a Restored DCP presentation, with live piano accompaniment by Steve Sterner) on Monday, November 25.
# Note: Some of the showtimes are matinees only.
For more information on any of the aforementioned presentations, click on the appropriate image above. For a complete calendar of all the films playing this month, click on the Film Forum banner.
In London, United Kingdom The Prince Charles Cinema will present The Shining [U.K. Version] (1980, a 35mm print) Saturday, November 2, Wednesday, November 6 and Thursday, November 14, Mulholland Dr. (2001, a 35mm print) Saturday, November 9, The Matrix (1999, a 35mm print) Sunday, November 10 and Thursday, November 14, Hook (1991, a 35mm print) Tuesday, November 19 and Saturday, November 30, Goodfellas (1990, a 35mm print) Wednesday, November 20, Casablanca (1942, a 35mm print) Saturday, November 23, Eraserhead (1977) Sunday, November 24, Taxi Driver (1976, a 35mm print) Sunday, November 24, Citizen Kane (1941, a 35mm print) Monday, November 25 and Saturday, December 1, and Dr. Strangelove (1964, a 35mm print) on Thursday, November 28.
* Note: Some of the above showtimes are matinees only.
Click on the film’s respective image for more information. To see November’s complete programming, click on The Prince Charles Cinema banner above.
In Auckland, New Zealand, Academy Cinemas is presenting Pitfall (1948, as part of their Lizabeth Scott Film Noir series) Sunday, November 3, Tuesday, November 12, Thursday, November 21 and Saturday, November 30, Too Late for Tears (1949, as part of their Lizabeth Scott Film Noir series) Tuesday, November 5, Saturday, November 9, Sunday, November 17 and Thursday, November 28, and Singin’ in the Rain (1952) on Wednesday, November 6, Wednesday, November 20 and Wednesday, November 27.
* Note: Some of the showtimes are matinees only.
To obtain more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding image. To see the entire month of November’s programming, click on the Academy banner above.
JLG Forever
La Chinoise
Passion
In Vancouver, British Columbia, The Cinematheque continues with their ‘Jean-Luc Goddard’ series featuring this month: La Chinoise (1967) Sunday, November 3, Saturday, November 9 and Monday, November 11, and Passion (1982) on Monday, November 4 and Saturday, November 9.
Click on the JLG Forever image for more information on this series.
Click on the respective film image for more information on the individual screenings this month.
For all of the films scheduled this month at The Cinematheque, click on the theatre banner above.
Diabolique
Matewan
Rashomon
Repulsion
In Los Feliz (part of greater Los Angeles) California, The American Cinematheque Los Feliz 3 Theatre will present Diabolique (1955, a 35mm print) Monday, November 4, Matewan (1986, as part of their ‘James Earl Jones Remembered’ series) Wednesday, November 6, Rashomon (1950, a 35mm print, with an Introduction by actor and author David Dastmalchian) Sunday, November 17, and Repulsion (1965, a 35mm print, with an Introduction by musician Scott Carlson from the band Repulsion) on Monday, November 18.
* Note: Some of the above showtimes are matinees only.
For more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding above image. To see the entire month of November’s programming including other films showing at the The Los Feliz 3 Theatre in Los Feliz, The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood (also part of greater Los Angeles), and Aero Theatre in Santa Monica (also part of greater Los Angeles), click on the American Cinematheque banner.
Silverado
The Grapes of Wrath
I Was Born, But…
The Prodigious Life of Father Vincent
In Valencia, Spain, Culturarts Generalitat IVAC – La Filmoteca at the Edificio Rialto will be presenting Silverado (1985, as part of their CONTEMPORARY WESTERN series) Wednesday, November 6 and Saturday, November 9, The Grapes of Wrath (1940, a 35mm print, as part of their COOPERATIVENESS IN CINEMA series) Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 15, I Was Born, But… aka Otona no miru ehon - Umarete wa mita keredo (1932, Silent title, as part of their REFINE THE FORM, CAPTURE LIFE - INTEGRAL YASUJIRO OZ series) Friday, November 8 and Thursday, November 14, and The Prodigious Life of Father Vincent aka La portentosa vida del pare Vicent (1978, a 35mm print, as part of their COOPERATIVENESS IN CINEMA series) on Tuesday, November 12 and Saturday, November 16.
Click on the respective film’s image for more information on each screening. To discover more of November’s programming including other films playing in Valencia, Spain at the Edificio Rialto, Castelló, Spain at the Paranimf of the Universitat Jaume I and the Raval Theatre, and Alicante Spain at the Arniches Theatre, click on the banner image above.
In Los Angeles, California The Beverly Cinema will present a double bill of Strangers on a Train (1951, a 35mm print) and The Clock (1945, a 35mm print) Friday, November 8, Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10, Miller’s Crossing (1990, a 35mm print) Friday, November 15, and Chinatown (1974, a 35mm print) on Friday, November 29.
Click on the respective image for more information. To see the rest of November’s schedule, click on The Beverly Cinema banner above.
In Palo Alto California, The Stanford Theatre continues with their extensive Film Noir Festival until Sunday, November 10. The presentations consist of double bills, all on 35mm film, with live organ performances before the features begin. This month’s highlight is The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946, a 35mm print) paired with Criss Cross (1949, a 35mm print) on Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10.
Click on the above image for the entire programme.
In theatres across the U.S. Flashback Cinema is presenting Pulp Fiction (1994, a 30th Anniversary presentation) on Sunday, November 10 and Wednesday, November 13.
Click on the poster image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Flashback Cinema banner above.
Gilda
In Bergen, Norway The Cinemateket i Bergen will present Gilda (1946) on Thursday, November 14 and Wednesday, November 20.
For more information on this film’s showing, click on the movie image above. For further information on the other films being presented at The Cinemateket, click on the banner image above.
Duck Soup
In Detroit, Michigan The Redford Theatre will present a double bill of Duck Soup (1933) and A Night at the Opera (1935) on Friday, November 15.
Click on the top image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Redford Theatre banner above.
Noir City will take place in Philadelphia, P.A. from November 15 - 17.
This year’s programme reads:
NOIR CITY, with host Eddie Muller, returns to The Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville November 15 – 17 with a program of thematically linked double bills, pairing foreign language films with movies made in the United States and United Kingdom.
“This year’s NOIR CITY program is tailored to satisfy folks who love noir that’s full of the colorful vernacular slang so essential to American and British noir—as well as adventurous viewers intrigued by a familiar story–a crime committed for passion or profit—playing out in cultures with different values, mores, and styles.” —Eddie Muller
NOIR CITY honcho and FNF president Eddie Muller, familiar to a national audience as the host of Noir Alley on Turner Classic Movies (TCM), credits preservation efforts by film archives worldwide, and the advent of digital distribution, as the reason “we’re now able to recognize the global scope of film noir.” At this year’s NOIR CITY: Philadelphia he notes, audiences will experience familiar noir tales … but half will be from Argentina, France, Italy, and Japan presented alongside English-language offerings .The 10-film program of thematically linked double bills includes heists, prison breaks, missing persons, cultural alienation, and lots of plain old-fashioned murder.
Kicking off the collection of rarities is the FNF’s most recent restoration — 1952’s Argentine film Never Open That Door (No abras nunca esa puerta) — based on two short stories by American master of suspense fiction, Cornell Woolrich. The picture was preserved by the Film Noir Foundation in 2013 and was completely restored by the FNF in 2023 through UCLA Film & Television Archive.
Included on the 2024 NOIR CITY: Philadelphia schedule are English-language rarities such as Black Tuesday (1954) and Across the Bridge (1957). Little-seen international titles include Zero Focus (Japan, 1961) and Smog (1962), a forgotten surrealist masterpiece by Italian director Franco Rossi freshly restored by UCLA Film & Television Archive. The festival ends Sunday evening with a heist double bill of John Huston’s The Asphalt Jungle (1950) and the 1963 French film Symphony for a Massacre.
There will be an Eddie Muller book signing on Saturday afternoon, November 16 – with books available for sale – of Muller’s recent publications: Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir, Noir Bar: Cocktails Inspired by the World of Film Noir, and Kid Noir: Kitty Feral and the Case of the Marshmallow Monkey. Consult The Colonial Theatre for book signing time.
Click on the above image for more information.
In Como (part of greater Perth) Western Australia, The Revival House will present Gone with the Wind (1939, a rare 35mm print) on Sunday, November 17 at 2 pm only.
Click on the poster image for more information on this screening. To see the other films showing this month, click on the theatre banner above.
In theatres across the U.S., Fathom Events is presenting The Fifth Element (1997) on Sunday, November 17 and Wednesday, November 20.
Click on each film’s poster image for more information. To see this month’s entire schedule, click on The Fathom Events banner above.
Being John Malkovich
In San Francisco, California, The Roxie Theatre will present Being John Malkovich (1999, a 35mm print) on Tuesday, November 19.
For more information on this film’s showing, click on the movie image above. For more information on the other films being presented at The Roxie, click on the theatre picture above.
In Hollywood (part of greater Los Angeles) California, The Vista Theater will present The Lady in Question (1940, a 35mm print) on Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24.
Click on the movie poster or the marquee image above for more information and for all of the films playing during the month of November.
These are the reviewed films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:
My first TCM recommendation (reviewed here) is 1962’s The Manchurian Candidate scheduled to appear Friday, November 1 at 11:30 pm PDT.
Next up, is a WW II film that can only be defined by its setting. There are just too many dispersed ideas regarding tone and perspective to communicate what kind of film Kelly’s Heroes (1970) is, let alone how any of its numerous genre types are successfully represented. Discover for yourself when Kelly’s Heroes (previously reviewed here) arrive at TCM Saturday, November 2 at 11 am PDT.
Ace in the Hole (1951) is Billy Wilder's scathing examination of American opportunism and moral depravity via cocky newspaper reporter Chuck Tatum, portrayed with unrelenting cynical ferociousness by Kirk Douglas. This motion picture was previously reviewed here. Both director and actor will play their hand Saturday, November 2 at 7:15 pm PDT.
Kirk Douglas
TCM's current schedule can be seen by clicking on any of the above TCM related images. To confirm the correct Pacific Daylight (West Coast) showtime information, subtract 3 hours from the Eastern Daylight (East Coast) showtime listed on TCM’s schedule.
My next TCM recommendation for the month is, for many experts, the final film noir released during the classification's classic time period (1940 - 1959), Orson Welles' stylistically assertive Touch of Evil (1958).
(From left) Orson Welles, Charlton Heston
I have previously written about how there came to be several different versions of this noir extravaganza especially as it concerns the ingenious opening sequence in Main Title Inspirations No. 2 Touch of Evil. Viewers can compare the introduction's bold visual display to the equally superlative use of sound at this film's conclusion when Touch of Evil airs Sunday, November 3 at 3 pm PST.
I previously wrote about MGM contract actor Robert Taylor appearing in a startling number of well crafted films when writing about 1941’s Johnny Eager. He also starred alongside some of Hollywood’s hottest leading ladies including Lana Turner in the aforementioned film and Ava Gardner in The Bribe (1949) another captivating film noir, reviewed here, and making a rare appearance on TCM Tuesday, November 5 at 6:45 am PST.
Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner
"Why should the Falls drag me down here at 5 o'clock in the morning? To show me how big they are and how small I am? To remind me they can get along without any help? All right, so they've proved it. But why not? They've had ten thousand years to get independent. What's so wonderful about that? I suppose I could too, only it might take a little more time."
Joseph Cotten
What exactly is film noir? Many enthusiasts and experts continue to debate the subject, with numerous examples of films that should, and just as many that should not, be included in the category. Some, who most likely feel that noir films rely on a certain look, dismiss any colour film as unworthy of being categorised as such. Others like myself, prone to distinguishing noir by its subject matter, are more inclined to include colour films produced during noir's classic time period that focus on crime and the psychologies of those involved. This brings me to my next TCM selection and a prior Blu-ray recommendation here, 1953's Niagara, one of the strongest arguments for colour noir that exists. See for yourself on Wednesday, November 6 at 7 pm PST.
Another musical worth checking out is Guys and Dolls, previously reviewed here. Both will arrive at TCM Friday, November 8 at 5 pm PST.
Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons
Tomorrow Is Another Day (1951), previously reviewed here, may sound like some forgotten Douglas Sirk melodrama, but certainly has its fair share of film noir qualifications delivered with assuredness by director Felix Feist. A couple of hard cases, played by Steve Cochran and Ruth Roman who slowly soften up to one another, informs this film’s compelling nature. Tomorrow will arrive Tuesday, November 12 at 7 pm PST.
Steve Cochran, Ruth Roman
My next selection is Gold Diggers of 1933 reviewed here. The show must go on Thursday, November 14 at 11:45 am PST.
Ginger Rogers
“How does it feel to be a decent, respectable married man?”
Dick Powell’s Everyman faces a mid-life crisis, including a far more considerable threat to his well being in the form of Raymond Burr’s jealous contractor, in Pitfall (1948), previously recommended here. Pitfall will occur Thursday, November 14 at 1:30 pm PST.
Dick Powell, Lizabeth Scott
This next TCM recommendation is made for its John Williams composed score more than anything else. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) has been reviewed here, and will be shown Saturday, November 16 at 12:30 pm PST.
Cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond
“The mattress is soft and there're hangers in the closet and stationary with ‘Bates' Motel’ printed on it in case you want to make your friends back home envious.”
Still another Hitchcock artistic triumph was, at the time (including throughout its primary creator’s career), the most audacious cinematic assault ever perpetrated on the movie going public or the Motion Picture Production Code for that matter. 1960's Psycho was previously reviewed here. The terror will begin Saturday, November 16 at 3 pm PST.
Although starting out as quite the common man, circumstances will turn this rather nondescript accountant played by Edmond O'Brien, into a kind of noir superhero in D.O.A. (1950) previously recommended here. This "dead man running" will seek justice with a vengeance on TCM Sunday, November 17 at 8:45 am PST.
One of director John Frankenheimer’s more accomplished films is Birdman of Alcatraz (1962), reviewed here as part of our “Dish of the Day” series, and arriving at TCM Sunday, November 17 at 10:15 am PST.
Burt Lancaster, “little runt” (sparrow)
My enthusiasm for the next film may be “icier” than say Howard Hughes’, however, viewers may find enough intrigue, suspense and supportive factors to make the journey to Ice Station Zebra (1968), previously reviewed here and commencing at TCM Monday, November 18 at 10 am PST, worth their while.
(From left) Patrick McGoohan, Rock Hudson
Dark Passage (1947) is a wildly engrossing film noir that combines the best of romance with the best of noir in the best location for both: San Francisco. Previously endorsed as a Blu-Ray release here, Bogart will make his dark (rite of) passage Tuesday, November 19 at 8:15 am PST.
That’s Humphrey Bogart as Vincent Parry standing at the crossroads of Greenwich Street (behind him leading to Coit Tower) and Hyde where he will soon board the Hyde cable car. This will take him to its final stop: the turntable turnaround at Powell Street and Market (seen below).
If I was in charge of choosing a single film noir for someone only willing to see one in the entire canon, I would select Double Indemnity (1944) as its most fulfilling and accomplished representative. It has been previously reviewed in Opening Up a Treasure: Double Indemnity. Thoughts of adultery, greed and murder will manifest themselves on TCM Friday, November 22 at 5 pm PST.
Otto Preminger’s directed classic, 1944’s Laura, is the exacting director’s slick and assured amalgamation of mystery (whodunnit) and film noir (obsessive desire, gruesome murder etc) elements. This film was briefly reviewed here. Included is a comparison between the detective played by Dana Andrews and James Stewart’s retired investigator in Vertigo. Laura will come to life on TCM Friday, November 22 at 7 pm PST.
This next recommendation is one of film noir's finest, 1950’s Gun Crazy, previously reviewed here. Noir's most distinguishing feature, a focus on their criminal participants' psychology, marks a major shift regarding motive. In the earlier "gangster" films, money and power provided enough reason for the pursuit of illegal gains whereas in noir, the internal cause behind the action is paramount, and runs so much deeper... and darker. The dark deeds will ensue Saturday, November 23 at 6:45 pm PST.
Does anyone notice anything peculiar in this shot considering the film was made during the Production Code?
Despite its ridiculously hard to follow plot, this next recommendation's wildly entertaining detective yarn is worth waking up for.
Previously reviewed here, The Big Sleep (1946) will awaken Sunday, November 24 at 7 pm PST.
A most talented friend on Facebook, Leilani Roundtree, has graciously allowed me to post her own very special modernised trailer for The Big Sleep. This amazing work both spoofs contemporary coming attractions while paying homage to the early classic in a most delightful way. Enjoy!
Another film noir worth checking out (although not so well known), is 1955’s Illegal previously reviewed here. Instead of playing an insurance agent as he does in Double Indemnity, Edward G. Robinson is a shifty lawyer who quite literally, and like the film itself, packs a solid punch. Illegal’s activity can be observed on TCM Monday, November 25 at 9 am PST.
(From left) Jayne Mansfield, Ellen Corby, Edward G Robinson, Nina Foch
TCM is also having a rare showing of another film noir, Sorry, Wrong Number (1948) reviewed as a Blu-ray recommendation here, and being presented on Wednesday, November 27 at 5 pm PST.
Barbara Stanwyck
After directing Colorado Territory, Raoul Walsh’s very next film retained all of that film’s energy and even added some for White Heat (1949), previously reviewed here. TCM's screen will heat up Friday, November 29 at 12:45 pm PST.
TCM's current schedule can be seen by clicking on any of the above TCM related images. To confirm the correct Pacific Standard (West Coast) showtime information, subtract 3 hours from the Eastern Standard (East Coast) showtime listed on TCM’s schedule.
This month's Happy Birthday shout-out to the exceptional Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland, who turns 76 on November 28.
Her filmmaking career started as an assistant to directors Krzysztof Zanussi and Andrzej Wajda. She made her debut film with the 1970 short Hrích boha, which led to the TV movies Evening at Abdon’s (1976) and Sunday Children (1977) and the theatrical feature Fever aka Goraczka (1981). In 1981, just before Poland imposed martial law, she emigrated to France. She directed the French TV movie Les cartes postales de Paris (1982), the West German theatrical feature Angry Harvest aka Bittere Ernte (1985, which she co-wrote), To Kill a Priest (1988, co-writer, starring Christopher Lambert, Ed Harris and Joss Ackland), Europa Europa (1990, and co-writer), Olivier, Olivier (1992, and co-writer), the U.S. made The Secret Garden (1993), Total Eclipse (1995, a U.K., France, Belgium co-production starring Leonardo DiCaprio), Washington Square (1997), The Third Miracle (1999), Janosik. Prawdziwa historia (2009, co-director with Kasia Adamik), In Darkness (2011), Mr. Jones (2019), and Green Border (2023). Holland also directed episodes from such popular TV series as The Wire (2004-2008), Cold Case (2004-2009), The Killing (2011-2012), and House of Cards (2014-2017).
The Soundtrack recommendation of the month is Philippe Sarde's heartfelt score to 1979's Tess.
Director Roman Polanski’s languid pace perfectly aligns with an ability to subtly elicit deep and sincere feelings from his characters. This approach results in an enveloping literary quality only a few cinematic masters (e.g. Lean and Bergman) have achieved. Tess, angelically portrayed by Nastassja Kinski, is too beautiful, naive and delicate for the world she was born into. Her tragic fate is sealed from the beginning. And while the various men in her life all exhibit a self-centred proprietary nature, the viewer never has a strong anticipation of what will occur… only an awareness that the outcome will be genuine but sad for our idealistic heroine. Cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth, who passed away halfway through production, was replaced by Ghislain Cloquet. Both cinematographers have captured an eloquence to the beauty they unobtrusively observe in each and every frame. Together, with the strong guidance of their director and stalwart performers, they maintain Tess’ virtue (both the character and film) by poignantly presenting her as an unfortunate casualty of an uncaring male-dominant society.
Also making an equally immeasurable contribution to this film’s lyricism is Philippe Sarde’s luscious Oscar nominated score. The very limited CD (only 1,000 units produced) from Music Box Records is fully remastered and includes previously unreleased music. More information and ordering can be obtained from Screen Archives Entertainment by clicking on the accompanying image.
Tess (1979)...
… reviewed above, is also November’s Blu-ray recommendation. The Criterion (Region A locked) edition is the best looking transfer currently available and can be ordered from Amazon.com by clicking on the image below.
A.G.