‘Noirhouse’ short comedy series launches online

October 9, 2013 by

NoirhouseA hard-boiled detective, sultry femme fatale, and a sentimental Russian thug share a house in present-day suburbia. They would have killed one another already, but the dead don’t pay the rent. That’s the premise of “Noirhouse,” a new film-noir comedy series from Tim Logan, Nathan Spencer and Shaun Wilson. It was produced in Tasmania, Australia, and funded by Screen Tasmania, a government agency.

“Noirhouse” launched online with three short episodes you can watch here: http://noirhouse.com/watch/episode1/. Enjoy!

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Film noir events crowd the calendar this month

October 7, 2013 by

There is much to entice noiristas this month in Los Angeles and elsewhere. So much, in fact, that I’ve compiled this handy list.

Glenn Ford and Gloria Grahame star in "The Big Heat."

Glenn Ford and Gloria Grahame star in “The Big Heat.”

Tues., Oct. 8 @ 1 p.m.: “The Big Heat” (1953, Fritz Lang) plays on the big screen at the Bing Theater, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Additionally, “The Golden Age of Mexican Cinema,” featuring the work of cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa, runs at LACMA through Oct. 11. “Luis Buñuel and Gabriel Figueroa: A Surreal Alliance” runs Oct. 12-19.

Wed., Oct. 9 @ 7:30 p.m.: Writers Bloc hosts a conversation with Valerie Plame, memoir author and former CIA Operations Officer. At the Ann and Jerry Moss Theater at New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404.

Also starting Oct. 9: The Aero and Egyptian theaters host the inaugural Beyond Fest, “an international buffet of badass cinema” that showcases recent horror gems along with classics. In-person guests, live music. Beyond Fest runs through Oct. 31.

Thurs., Oct. 10: The 49th Chicago International Film Festival opens with a gala screening of “The Immigrant.” This year’s fest is dedicated to the late great Roger Ebert. The CIFF runs through Oct. 24. The fest’s After Dark slate of titles never fails to intrigue.

"Sunset Blvd." will screen Oct. 19.

“Sunset Blvd.” will screen Oct. 19 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

Sat., Oct. 12 @ 6 p.m.: Redcat in downtown LA hosts a panel discussion on the controversial French filmmaker Henri-Georges Clouzot and his contribution to 1960s aesthetics. Screening of “La Vérité” (1960 Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner for Best Foreign Language Film).

Sat., Oct. 12 & Sun. Oct. 13: The Vintage Fashion Expo premieres at its new home in Los Angeles at The LA Convention Center.

Thurs., Oct. 17 @ 7:30 p.m.: Writers Bloc hosts a conversation with Norwegian author Jo Nesbø (“Headhunters”) whose new novel is Police: A Harry Hole Novel. At the Goethe-Institut, 5750 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036.

“Moonrise” plays Oct. 21 at the Billy Wilder Theater at UCLA in Westwood.

“Moonrise” plays Oct. 21 at the Billy Wilder Theater at UCLA in Westwood.

Sat., Oct. 19 @ 2 p.m.: Illustrated presentation on “The Corner” and screening of “Sunset Blvd.” (1950, Billy Wilder) at the Egyptian Theatre (part of the Egyptian’s 91st anniversary weekend). Los Angeles historian Marc Chevalier will discuss the social nexus of Hollywood in the golden age: Sunset Boulevard and Crescent Heights (now West Hollywood). Followed by “Sunset Blvd.,” which features Schwab’s Pharmacy as a location.

Mon., Oct. 21 @ 7:30 p.m.: “Moonrise” (1948, Frank Borzage) at the Billy Wilder Theater at UCLA in Westwood. A luminous and rarely screened crime drama starring Dane Clark, Gail Russell and Ethel Barrymore.

Tues., Oct. 22 @ 1 p.m.: “Shockproof” (1949, Douglas Sirk) plays at LACMA’s Bing Theater. Written by Helen Deutsch and Samuel Fuller; starring Cornel Wilde and Patricia Knight.

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Alfred Hitchcock by the numbers

October 6, 2013 by

This terrific chart appeared in The Guardian in August; copyright Adam Frost and Zhenia Vasilev.

hitch_10 copy4

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Coco Chanel’s back story reveals drama, determination

September 30, 2013 by
Coco Chanel’s design aesthetic was partly influenced by the time she spent in the Aubazine convent in central France.

Coco Chanel’s design aesthetic was partly influenced by the time she spent in the Aubazine convent in central France.

Sure, this chic mini-film is a commercial for the mighty brand, but it’s fascinating to consider Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel (Aug. 19, 1883 – Jan. 10, 1971) and her rise from poverty to power.

Meanwhile, showing tonight on TCM: “Double Indemnity” (at 7 p.m. EST), “Gun Crazy” and “The Big Sleep.”

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Film noir poster bliss with actress Jeanne Carmen

September 17, 2013 by

A few weeks ago, I posted about Jeanne Carmen, a pin-up model, ace golfer, B-movie actress and friend of Marilyn Monroe. Jeanne’s son Brandon James has kindly shared these images from her work in film noir and in the Western genre. She appears on posters for all three movies.

Portland poster“Portland Exposé” (1957, Harold D. Schuster) based on a true story of a mob syndicate in Portland, Ore. You can watch scenes from the movie here.

Guns poster US

Guns poster Brazil“Guns Don’t Argue” (1957, Richard C. Kahn, Bill Karn) was a compilation of a 1952 TV series released as a feature film. It’s true crime anthology of Pretty Boy Floyd, John Dillinger, Ma Barker and Bonnie & Clyde. In it, we see Jeanne Carmen as Floyd’s moll. You can watch scenes from the movie here.

Outlaws poster US

Outlaws poster Italy“The Three Outlaws” (1956, Sam Newfield) tells the story of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Jeanne Carmen plays a temptress named Polimita. You can watch scenes from the movie here and here.
Monster posterAnd how could I resist running what is perhaps Jeanne Carmen’s most famous movie, “The Monster of Piedras Blancas” (1959, Irvin Berwick).

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World 3-D Film Expo III honors Golden Age

September 11, 2013 by

It’s been 60 years since 3-D leapt off American movie screens with films like “Creature from the Black Lagoon” “It Came from Outer Space” and “Dial M for Murder,” among many others. Paying tribute to these and other Golden Age classics, the World 3-D Film Expo III continues at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood (6712 Hollywood Blvd.) through Sunday, Sept. 15.

On Thursday, Sept. 12, the expo is hosting a Film Noir Night! First on the lineup is “Inferno” (1953, Roy Ward Baker). In this brutal crime drama set in the scorching desert, Robert Ryan plays a rare good-guy role as a husband left to die with a broken leg by his cheating wife (Rhonda Fleming) and her lover (William Lundigan).

Next up is “I, the Jury” (1953, Harry Essex). Crime legend Mickey Spillane’s first Mike Hammer novel gets the 3-D treatment with terrific b&w cinematography by master D.P. John Alton and noir siren Peggy Castle opposite Biff Elliot as Mike Hammer.

Classics, restorations, premieres and rarities are being screened in a combination of 35mm 3-D projection and digital RealD 3-D. All of the features and shorts will be shown in their correct aspect ratio (many in widescreen).

The festival is produced by Sabucat Productions. You can see the complete schedule and get ticket info here or call the Expo box office at 661-724-0934.

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‘Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s’ is a fascinating hot mess

September 7, 2013 by

Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s/2013/eOne Films/93 min.

There’s usually something fascinating, even fun, about a hot mess and that’s the case with writer/director Matthew Miele’s documentary “Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s,” now available on DVD.

Miele’s film is a gushy tribute to luxury retailer Bergdorf Goodman, the famed New York emporium and Art Deco palace that occupies an entire city block (Fifth Avenue at 58th Street) near Central Park.

There is much frothy conversation. We meet Bergdorf Goodman insiders, celebrities (Candice Bergen, Nicole Richie and Joan Rivers, to name a few) and a slew of designers (such as Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagerfeld) as well as fashion observers, writers, the New Yorker cartoonist from whom the film’s title is borrowed and real-estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, among others. William Fichtner narrates; no idea why.

Unfortunately, the interviews (many of which make the same points again and again) are never pulled together. The throughline – creating the gorgeous, glittering store windows for Christmas 2011 – becomes less interesting as it progresses and fails to unify the film.

Miele clumsily tries to mask the underlying condescension – even if you’re not one of the lucky few who can afford to shop here, you can peer in from the street through dazzling windows full of very expensive stuff – with a couple of offhand references to the economic downturn and by opening the film with a morning-has-broken sequence of a working-class guy who turns out to be a Bergdorf’s doorman. Cringe.

All that said, though, some of the talking heads are extremely entertaining. “What would you be doing if you didn’t work here?” Miele asks Betty Halbreich, a longtime personal shopper, known for her candid opinions and discerning eye. “Drinking,” Betty replies.

“Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s” also has a chic, polished look and offers a nice dollop of New York City history. For fashionistas and shopaholics as well as forbearing general-interest viewers, this is pretty good fun.

“Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s” is available on DVD, $25 list price with discounts via Amazon. Click here for more info.

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On the radar: ‘Lee Miller in Fashion,’ front-row seats at MBFW, Toronto film fest in full swing, 3-D film noir in Hollywood

September 5, 2013 by

Model, muse and photographer Lee Miller

I’m looking forward to reading Becky E. Conekin’s new book, “Lee Miller in Fashion.” The NYT’s Cathy Horyn says the book is very engaging and nicely researched.

Want front-row seats at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York? You can watch the shows here. MBFW started Thursday, Sept. 5, and runs through Sept. 12.

Jim Jarmusch’s new movie, a vampire romance called “Only Lovers Left Alive,” screened Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Toronto International Film Fest. The fest runs Sept. 5-15.

The World 3-D Film Fest starts Friday, Sept. 6, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. “Dial M for Murder” shows Sunday and there is a special film-noir night on Sept. 12! The fest runs through Sept. 15.

Meanwhile, the Hitch fest continues on TCM. “Vertigo” ran Thursday, as noted on the FNB facebook/twitter feeds, and the Sunday schedule is packed with great titles.

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Jeanne Carmen’s life-of-the-party legacy lives on

September 1, 2013 by

Jeanne Carmen was a sultry pin-up model and seasoned B-movie actress.

So, at the memorial service for Marilyn Monroe last month, I met Brandon James. Brandon is the son of Jeanne Carmen, a pin-up model, ace golfer, B-movie actress and friend of Marilyn’s.

Jeanne was born Aug. 4, 1930 in Paragould, Ark., to a family of cotton pickers. After winning a beauty contest at 13, she left home to pursue her dream of Hollywood stardom. Though she never became a top-tier actress, she most definitely left her mark and had a good time – clinking glasses and climbing under the covers with the likes of Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Roselli.

After Marilyn died on Aug. 5, 1962, mobsters told Jeanne to keep quiet about Marilyn’s connection to the Kennedy clan, according to her son. Jeanne heeded the warning and, leaving her party-girl life behind, became a wife and mother in Scottsdale, Ariz. She died Dec. 20, 2007.

Her name appears in Christopher Andersen’s new book, “These Few Precious Days,” which details JFK’s last year with Jackie, including his presumed affair with Marilyn and use of amphetamines provided by “Dr. Feelgood.” Andersen writes that Marilyn frequently confided in Jeanne during this time, reportedly asking her, “Can’t you just see me as first lady?”

Additionally, a clip of Jeanne in “The Monster of Piedras Blancas” (1959) is used in American Standard’s new at-home movie marathon commercial, which, btw, also features an adorable cat. 😉 The ad will run for four months.

For more info about Jeanne, you can visit Brandon’s site and watch this edition of E! True Hollywood Story. Perhaps more off-screen than on, she was a femme fatale and blonde bombshell who was the scribe and star of her own fascinating drama.

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RIP Elmore Leonard

August 20, 2013 by

Noir great Elmore Leonard, author of “Get Shorty,” “Freaky Deaky” and “Glitz” (among many others) died Tuesday at his home in Bloomfield Township, Mich. He was 87. You can read his NYT obituary here.

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