topic Re: Peter Lorre, "Stranger On the Third Floor" TCM Sunday 10:00 a.m. Eastern in TV and Movies

Peter Lorre, "Stranger On the Third Floor" TCM Sunday 10:00 a.m. Eastern

Oznell — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 12:47:06 GMT

Midnight Eastern Saturday, AND Sunday 10:00 a.m. Eastern-- "Stranger On the Third Floor" This has long been identifed as the "first" film noir, coming out in 1940. Purists fight about this a lot, and some say "The Maltese Falcon" was really the first "true" film noir, coming out in '41. And there are other candidates.

But this has so many elements of film noir, in a kind of nascent form--- aggressive shadows, interesting camera angles, appealing, conflicted protagonists, the hard-edged American city setting, a dramatically lit staircase, lurking evil, etc. etc. German expressionism is definitely an influence on this film, as it was on all noirs...

A reporter accidentally witnesses a murder, and fingers the culprit (Elisha Cook) for authorities, but later begins to have torturous doubts about what he saw. These are confirmed when one of his neighbors gets killed the same way, and he, the reporter, becomes a suspect himself...

The reporter and his sleuthing girlfriend are played by lesser knowns, but they are very good-- cheerful and upbeat in the beginning, and then, intensely seeking answers. And Peter Lorre's inimitable presence heightens the sinister, creepy atmosphere.

There are two good noirs on tonight before "Stranger On the Third Floor"-- "Kansas City Confidential" and "The Crooked Way", both with the interesting John Payne. But I think they are much more heavily "gangster-centric", which tends to lessen my interest in a film noir. I'll take everyday, ambivalent heroes or enigmatic femme fatales any day, over the likes of "Bugsy" or "Dutch"....

Re: Peter Lorre, "Stranger On the Third Floor" TCM Saturday Midnight Eastern

Oznell — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 22:58:08 GMT

I found this moody little trailer for "Stranger". Note the heavy duty shadow-and-light play as he walks through the building...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0yZDvUzZAE

Fun thing to notice-- John McGuire leaves the building and is walking through a typical New York pre-World War II street scene, deep in a troubled reverie about the murder, a voiceover giving his thoughts to the audience.

About 34 seconds in, a tall dark man walks rapidly up from behind and passes McGuire. For one minute I thought it was Cary Grant!

Then realized-- why would the top star Cary Grant be doing an extra's walk-on in a little RKO low-budget special, even if later the film would make noir history?!

When I froze the film, could clearly see it wasn't Cary, too bad!

ETA-- At first the link didn't work-- but I found the identical one on youtube and now it does....

Re: Peter Lorre, "Stranger On the Third Floor" TCM Saturday Midnight Eastern

Oznell — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 01:54:21 GMT

Ok, I broke down and am watching, sporadically, and not that attentively, "Kansas City Confidential", which I said had too many gangsters for me. John Payne was so appealing....

Re: Peter Lorre, "Stranger On the Third Floor" TCM Saturday Midnight Eastern

Oznell — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 12:44:01 GMT

Oh, how interesting-- TCM is running "Stranger On the Third Floor" AGAIN, this morning @ 10:00 a.m. Eastern! I can't remember the last time they've shown the same movie just a few hours apart.

Of course I fell asleep and missed it last night, and we "cleverly" decided yesterday we would go to the later church service today because of the Daylight Savings time change, so now I'm going to miss it again...

Can't DVR, not sure why....

Re: Peter Lorre, "Stranger On the Third Floor" TCM Saturday Midnight Eastern

drizzellla — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 16:09:16 GMT

Oznell - Please check out Watch TCM. I just checked, it is listed under Full Schedule.

Re: Peter Lorre, "Stranger On the Third Floor" TCM Saturday Midnight Eastern

NAES1 — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 23:26:52 GMT

@Oznellwrote:
Ok, I broke down and am watching, sporadically, and not that attentively, "Kansas City Confidential", which I said had too many gangsters for me. John Payne was so appealing....

@Oznell with a `

I love these older movies; most were before I was born..I refer as Heavy Hitters! ,,,,yes, many long 'before I was born.

I didn't know much about John Payne, before.

My husband called me down to watch both Kansas City Confidential _and_ Crooked Way. Great actor.

My husband becomes fixated with these older MOVIES and their histories.

I'm not a gangster movie overtime on looker, but have a top list of the Top 10 Film Noirs.

Thank you for the flash back of the some of the greatest.

I really REALLY enjoyed the line up from your 1939- -1958.

"I would watch anything Orson Welles and own a lot of his films. We have the Bogart library.

I know (?) ...doesn't sound like me, but become fascinated with The Third man, White heat, In a Lonely Place, Sunset Boulevard, Double Indemnity, The Third Man, on & on'. Peter Lorre was one of a kind! Stimulating WIDE EYED for me.

I don't believe my husband would ever miss The Maltese Falcon, or Sierra Madre.

GOSH, those were great movies! Also, the men were so handsome and had a great deal of maturity and integrity being that young. The last modern film I saw that came close to that was The Notebook. I study movies with much detail to intricacy.

The movies I watch, even from 15 years ago, there is no BAM to most.

I have always found the women, from those eras, extremely beautiful and each have this particular trait personality that is an ever presence in each movie that was made.

I think of Gloria Grahame, Lauren Bacall, Ida Lupino and I love Barbara Stanwyck ( she has to one of my #1 favorites).

Comments? I just haven't seen any. I stopped going to movies years ago. TCM is gold to me for both, the movies, and the guest when on explaining why they -like a certain movie. I certainly miss Robert Osborne

Ben is doing great ...that's what I love to listen to, his details.

I was watching these movies when I was a young teen, of course I knew zero of most actors, just smitten with movies pretty much of my life, around 12 years old.

They did HAVE TVs. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

I missed Stranger On the Third Floor.

Re: Peter Lorre, "Stranger On the Third Floor" TCM Sunday 10:00 a.m. Eastern

Oznell — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 23:37:48 GMT

Hi NAES, great to get your thoughts. Everyone misses Robert Osborne-- what an asset he was. You may have noticed already that TCM is now utilizing Eddie Muller in conjunction with their presentation of film noirs.

Muller is an expert on the noir period. I have one of his books, which is a terrific resource. I don't always agree with his analysis, but he brings so much knowledge of the period.

You might have seen him in those light-hearted little segments on TCM where he and a few others are recommending various wines to go with different films. ???? Ha, I don't quite get that, but it is amusing. They seem to be using him more and more.

Hope you're having a great Sunday evening, @NAES1!

Re: Peter Lorre, "Stranger On the Third Floor" TCM Sunday 10:00 a.m. Eastern

NAES1 — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 03:44:22 GMT

@Oznellwrote:
Hi NAES, great to get your thoughts. Everyone misses Robert Osborne-- what an asset he was. You may have noticed already that TCM is now utilizing Eddie Muller in conjunction with their presentation of film noirs.

Muller is an expert on the noir period. I have one of his books, which is a terrific resource. I don't always agree with his analysis, but he brings so much knowledge of the period.

You might have seen him in those light-hearted little segments on TCM where he and a few others are recommending various wines to go with different films. ???? Ha, I don't quite get that, but it is amusing. They seem to be using him more and more.

Hope you're having a great Sunday evening, @NAES1!

Hello my dear friend

...yes, indeed, me thinks he has stock in that THAAR wine company!

I agree, never heard of different wines for whatever movie showing..drink enough you won't care if the movie is on.

I asked my husband what he thought...said he had absolutely no idea. I was okay with just the popcorn -AHH-

"...a list of movies to come ( those that are featured before the next..fill in coming attractions).., and hope to see Crossfire. They flash those so fast I never have a pen or paper". I treasure your time when I forget. Will see you this new week.

Always a gentle nod and quick hello for your son..I know better than hugging a young teen.

I listen to every word that Eddie Muller has to say if it's thoroughly close to Osborne's. Could he be (since he's on more) prepping to replace Ben? Wondering.

Stay as sweet as you are. I know you enjoyed your Bette Davis' best /Charlotte. That brings a smile to my face.

March 11th, '18

C/O @Oznell

Great day reading.