Film Noir!

What is Film Noir?

Film noir is, overall, known as a Hollywood crime drama - due to the emergence of criminal fiction during the depression in the United states. Generally noted and popular from the early 1940s and late 50s, although still being produced in small quantities to this era. As said, it usually features low-key black-and-white visual styles, known from German roots through cinematography, the term film noir is rooted from the French term of 'black film'. It relates to the classic era of film, as well as cinema historians stating that one main convention is of it being told in retrospect. Although widely acknowledged as the film noir genre now, previously (before the 1970's) these classic pictures were refereed as melodramas. Although is may be obvious, critics have an ongoing debate of the actual definition of film noir, due to its various qualifications.

The main plot usually has many conventions - such as a central figure - such as a private eye, a policeman or a criminal - such as in films like 'The Big Sleep', 'The Big Heat' and 'The Set-up.' Originally - likewise to these films - film noir was produced from American Productions, but throughout history from the 1960's has eventually led to being recognized throughout the world. Although recent pieces may not be recognized as such 'classic' pieces, these latter-day pictures are usually referred to as neo-noirs.

Conventions of a Film Noir:

• Black and white (low key lighting)


• The dark world, the protagonists are in - hides feelings/motivations


• Femme fatale (usually married but may want to get rid of husband - has loose morals


• Often told in retrospect - use of voice overs and flashbacks


• Often has a twist - unexpected ending


• Usually set in an urban environment
  
• Mostly B movies literally or in spirit (e.g. featuring a little known cast)

History of Film Noir:

• 'Stranger on the Third Floor' (1940) - noted as the first established film noir picture


• 'Double Indemnity' (1944) - after studying the opening in class, I researched the film independently. This is an American film, directed by Billy Wilder, starring Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwykc and Edward G. Robinson. The film has been adapted from James M. Cain's 1935 novel of the same title, based on a 1927 crime. The 'femme fatale' within this picture persuades her boyfriend to kill her husband, due to greedily wanting a big insurance policy - 'wanting a double-indemnity clause.'


• 'Kiss Me Deadly' (1955) - this is a classic example of a private eye playing the lead role. This film is based on a novel by Mickey Spillane, known as one of the best-selling authors of the era. However, from here on, this leading role declined, due to a change in noir's focuses.


• 'Touch Of Evil' (1958) - By some critics, this film is noted as the last noir of the classic period. Orson Welle's - a well-known noir directer and actor, directing films such as 'The Lady From Shanghai," (1947) which received top-level support - highlights the morally corruptive underworld of crime.


• 'Le Doulos' (1962) - this is an example of the film noir genre contrasting from the mainstream American norm and being acknowledged globally. It is an example of the many minimlist, classic film noirs, such as 'Le Deuxième souffle' (1966), 'Le Samouraï' (1967), and 'Le Cercle rouge' (1970), all directed by French Jeanne-Pierre Melville.


• Examples of more foreign noir films include Il Conformista (1969; Italy), Der Amerikanische Freund (1977; Germany), The Element of Crime (1984; Denmark)


• 'Cape Fear' (1962) treats the theme of mental problems within stylistic and tonal frameworks derived from classic film noir.


• 'The Long Goodbye' (1973) - director Robert Altman flipped noir into a diverse direction. Based on the novel by Raymond Chandler, it features one of Bogart's most famous characters, but in an iconic fashion: Philip Marlowe - typical intense detective - is replayed as a hapless misfit. This is almost laughably out of touch with contemporary mores and morality.


• 'Taxi Driver' (1976) - previously analysed, this film is a personal favourite of mine. Directed by Martin Scorsese and screenwriter Paul Schrader.


• 'Raging Bull' (198) - also directed by Scorsese and co-written by Schrader, which is known as an acknowledged masterpiece. It is one of the first known neo-noir productions, as well as being noted as the 'greatest film of the 1980s' as well as 'the fourth greatest of all time.'


• 'Basic Instinct' - (1992), directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhas. This is one of the few neo-noirs who have made more money or updated noirs traditions. It also demonstrates how how recent films can produce the expression through effects of classic black and white


• Some examples from the noughties include 'Memento' (2000), 'Insomnia' (2002) and 'The Dark Knight' (2008)

How the opening of a Film Noir differs from todays mainstream pictures:
- I analyzed the opening titles of a noir film called 'The Postman Always Rings Twice', to which we viewed approximately 20-30 minutes of in class. Whilst watching this, it became obvious that this 1946 film directed by Tay Garnett contrasts from the norm of today, simply from the sound, picture and roles. However, once inspecting the opening closely, we can realise that this film differs:

• Instantly, a shaky camera opens up the clip, showing that compared to today's sometimes animated pieces, technology was lacked within this era. Also, a steady cam was not used, added to it being thought as unessential within those days


• Shown in black-and-white. This is typical of film noir


• The logo for 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents' - firstly with their typical lion logo, emphasizing it's famous and well known (this may be a successful film.) The music features loud, booming drums and excessive trumpets, showing it's a large and serious film. The next shot then fades to the same distributor, but with writing - with bold writing for the distributors, appearing for a longtime on the screen. Although this may be to make it foreboding, it is almost as though the editing skills are lacked in those days


• A dissolve is used to show more of the distributors logo, likewise to today. The background appears like carpet, showing that their skills lacked in that era, therefore hinting at them reducing their mise-en-scene - keeping it simple


• The music at this point consists of trumpets and cymbals, which are lingering, adding a foreboding sense - hinting to the narrative of the film


• A sound-bridge is then used, with larger letters emphasizing the main roles. These letters are bold and white, contrasting the background so they are highlighted. The woman is first, relating to femme fatale.


• A dissolve is used again, to a book stating "In 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' A NOVEL BY JAMES M. CAIN." This highlights the background of the film, as well as synergising both the book and the picture. The "In" is written in italic writing, showing the old fashioned text of a film within this era. The book includes a wave-like effect, hinting at parts of the film. Distributors and the films background producers have been inserted into this shot, although niche to the eye, therefore highlighting that these were viewed as less important to the audience during this time.


• The shot have been shown through low-key lighting, with dark edges and almost spot-light effect upon the title, to highlight them


• The score is rather dreamlike and romantic at this point, as violins take over. This shows romance is significant within the film


• Dissolve of titles over previous shot to shot actors, followed by producers and more titles, whilst the music is higher in pitch


• A dissolve of credits almost covers the screen, over the previous shot. This has a lot of information, as well as distributors logos placed minutely at the bottom. Contrasts norm of now - usually placed separately so audience can acknowledge what goes on behind the camera. Maybe viewed as less important during that era. However, this lingers longer, showing time to be read.


• Dissolves to cast - even though previously said, had been slotted in again. Possibly a reminder, or maybe - as already said - the editors were not as advanced during those times. They don't appear to acknowledge it comes across more tedious during this era/ At the bottom of this shot, a message has been broad casted to the audiences, considering their opinions and feelings upon characters supplied within the film. This could show that audiences were more serious during this time, or that they were easily offended by films.


• The typical convention of the Director appearing as the last title is featured, too. This shows that this stereotype has continued throughout the years, showing a similarity. This shot then eventually fades to black, fading into the film.


• The overall title last for one minute, 14 seconds. The shorter titles last approximately 3-4 seconds, whilst the longer lasting titles last approx. 12-13 secs
  
  

Here is a print screen from the opening title of this film: