A Woman’s Face (1941)
A Woman’s Face is a unique entry into the noir canon as I’m sure someone could say it’s not actually noir; it’s a woman’s picture. It’s both and that’s a … Continue Reading A Woman’s Face (1941)
TCMFF 2021: The Getaway (1972)
In the grand tradition of TCM Film Festivals past I didn’t stick around for the opening night film. No offense to West Side Story (1961), but I’ve seen it plenty … Continue Reading TCMFF 2021: The Getaway (1972)
Crossfire (1947)
If there’s one thing we here at Ticklish Business can’t resist, it’s diving into a work of film noir. We can’t resist! So, how excited were we to learn that … Continue Reading Crossfire (1947)
Jewel Robbery (1932)
Kay Francis and William Powell mix love and crime in Jewel Robbery.
25 Days of Christmas: Lady on a Train (1945)
Originally published December 15th, 2015 Maybe it’s the forced togetherness and spirit of brotherhood that makes the holidays so perfect for the noir genre. Whether it’s the glittery Hollywood pulp … Continue Reading 25 Days of Christmas: Lady on a Train (1945)
Key Largo (1948)
Describing the Florida Keys always sounds as if a Dashiell Hammett-esque noir voice should be speaking the words aloud: “An isolated strip of land as beautiful as it is hot.” … Continue Reading Key Largo (1948)
The Big Heat (1953)
The different breeds of noir can end up creating a dark morass of shadows and fog, with little variety in-between that it’s remarkable that some noirs were able to stand … Continue Reading The Big Heat (1953)
Fallen Angel (1945)
Fallen Angel is certainly the perfect title for a film noir; the term, attributed to the ultimate fallen angel, Lucifer, immediately conjures up images of Hell, sin, and dark dames … Continue Reading Fallen Angel (1945)
Pitfall (1948)
There’s a formula to film noirs, and while not strictly enforced there are particular elements one looks for – the morally ambiguous hero, interplay between light and shadow, an evil … Continue Reading Pitfall (1948)
Kansas City Confidential (1952)
Despite the ingrained conventions of film noir some films can leave you surprised. So it is with director Phil Karlson’s Kansas City Confidential. What starts as a typical heist film … Continue Reading Kansas City Confidential (1952)
Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
I recently saw Kiss Me Deadly on Criterion and contemplated purchasing it, sight unseen because I love anything Criterion. Unfortunately I didn’t have the money for it and decided to … Continue Reading Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
Oft-considered one of the greatest film noirs ever made, John Huston’s The Asphalt Jungle is a story about the perils of city life…with the added bonus of a jewel heist. John … Continue Reading The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
Woman on the Run (1950)
Flicker Alley debuts two brand-new restorations this week with the DVD/Blu-ray combo release of Too Late for Tears (1949) and Woman on the Run (1950). Public domain victims whose copies … Continue Reading Woman on the Run (1950)
Out of the Fog (1941)
With my new full-time writer status, part of my transition with the site is to write about movie I get truly excited over, whether it makes me so mad I … Continue Reading Out of the Fog (1941)
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956)
Fritz Lang is a director whose work, even at its silliest, can entertain, and that’s how one must approach Beyond a Reasonable Doubt – now available in a beautiful Blu-ray … Continue Reading Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956)
Gun Crazy (1950)
There’s a disconnect to the 1950s best exemplified through media. One the one hand you have the Donna Reed world of mom, dad, and apple pie. And on the other … Continue Reading Gun Crazy (1950)
