March | 2015 | Beyond the Femme Fatale

Communal Viewing: TCM Classic Film Festival

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Anne M. Hockens

Jules Dassin’s Rififi (1955)

TCM CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL 2015
March 26-29
Hollywood, CA

The TCM Classic Film Festival returns to Hollywood March 26-29, providing a chance for fans to watch cinematic classics the way they were meant to be seen—on the big screen, with an audience. This year’s theme History According to Hollywood explores how the dream factory’s portrayal of history shapes our view of it. Besides a diverse array of films depicting historical events and characters like 1776 (1972) and Patton (1970), four restorations will make their world premieres at the festival, including Jules Dassin’s beautifully wrought and highly influential heist film Rififi (1955), presented by Film Noir Foundation president Eddie Muller, who is hosting at least 10 films.

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Tyrone Power and Joan Blondell share a steamy moment in Nightmare Alley (1947).

Noir lovers have plenty to enjoy, including the Film Noir Foundation-funded 35mm restoration of Too Late for Tears (1949), hosted by Muller. As part of the festival’s “Discoveries” program, TCM will screen Nightmare Alley (1947), featuring Tyrone Power’s uncharacteristically dark performance as a ruthless carny. Legendary character actor Norman Lloyd will join Muller for a discussion following Anthony Mann’s Reign of Terror (1949). Set in the bloody days of the French Revolution, the film is a rare example of a historically-based noir. TCM also tips its hat to the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, with screenings of Rebecca (1940) and Psycho (1960). Muller will also be hosting Nightmare and Rebecca, Shaun of the Dead director Edgar Wright will be in attendance at Psycho. For more on the festival, visit the official website.

International Noir Returns to Roxie

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Anne M. Hockens

Midcentury Productions (Don Malcolm) and I Wake Up Dreaming (Elliot Lavine) have combined forces to expose audiences to the international noir movement that flourished after WWII and continued well past Hollywood’s noir era. A RARE NOIR IS GOOD TO FIND will present 15 noirs March 19-23 at San Francisco’s Roxie Theatre. France, Hong Kong, Finland, Japan, Denmark, Mexico, Greece, Brazil, Poland, and Korea are all represented in the festival. As well as spanning continents, the films in the festival span decades with release dates ranging between 1949 and1974. Jules Dassin’s 1974 Greek produced noir The Rehearsal (I dokimi) reflects the increasing political bent of the films of the era with its examination/recreation of a massacre of Athenian college students by the Greek junta performed on a darkly lit New York sound-stage. Film scholar and FNF Board of Directors member Foster Hirsch will interview one of the film’s ensemble cast members, Stathis Giallelis, following the screening on March 22. For a complete line up of films visit the official website.