Category Archives: Film Noir

Malle, Moreau and Miles – Elevator to Modernity

This masterful scene from Louis Malle’s Elevator to the Gallows (1958) is a quintessential example of 20th century post-war modernism. It’s all here– the near perfect intersection of film (a noir at the leading edge of the French New Wave), music (the atmospheric jazz score was improvised by Miles Davis in a single, all-night recording session), the electrified urban landscape (lit by neon, headlights, arcades and storefront displays), fashion (notice the various representations as Moreau walks in front of the arcade) and finally, dripping sensuality (Jeanne Moreau and Miles Davis fused in sexy melancholia ultimately climaxing in a downpour of rain and thunder). What cool is made of….

Have a martini….

Film Noir: The Saint Louis Bank Robbery (1959)

English: Federal Bureau of Investigation copy ...

English: Federal Bureau of Investigation copy of mugshot taken following arrest of actor Steve McQueen in Anchorage, Alaska, 1972. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Recommended viewing: surprisingly violent early Steve McQueen flick (1959) from the crime don’t pay genre.
The Internet Archive warns: “this film is devoid of humor, wit, cheerfulness, glamor, and mercy. It’s grim to the brim.” So it is well worth watching. Enjoy!

Watch the  Movie:

http://archive.org/details/Saint_Louis_Bank_Robbery