The Dark Corner (1946)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Corner
This is … unusual for this collection. Simple, stark images. One of which we could discard altogether. That face, the angle of that shadow, the golden light setting off her red hair, terrific stuff. If only one could forget it was Lucille Ball and take her seriously.
https://foritismansnumber.blogspot.com/2025/07/shudder-saturday-home-sweet-home-where.html
Another poor Shudder choice for me this week.
https://foritismansnumber.blogspot.com/2025/06/netflix-and-chill-strays-2023.html
A weak comedy is the Netflix choice this week.
Brute Force (1947)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brute_Force_(1947_film)
poster language: Italian
Good lord, the raw sexuality of Lancaster has me fanning myself like a southern belle. The slightly ambiguous shadows across the right side mean I don't know whether or not he has a moustache though.
https://foritismansnumber.blogspot.com/2025/06/psychonaut-2025.html
Didn't love this one. Others may, I guess, but it's disappointing.
Lady from Shanghai (1947)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lady_from_Shanghai
Great stuff, it's disjointed and disorienting but that's on purpose. Her hair really sticks out tonally and sort of matches the yellow of the title.
Across the Bridge (1957)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Across_the_Bridge_(film)
Cute dog! It's not often you see a spaniel in a Film Noir. I haven't watched it or read the Graham Greene story so someone should probably let me know how crucial Dolores is to the plot. Yes I researched the dog and you should too.
Odds Against Tomorrow (1959)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odds_Against_Tomorrow
poster language: Japanese
Another Japanese one, another terrific composition. This is a truly interesting movie for the time, not a huge spoiler but "don't hire racists" is kind of the moral. In these days when DEI is on everyone's lips it might be a good time for a re-watch.