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Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,229
Registered: ‎11-08-2014

MY FAVORITE FILM NOIR OF ALL TIME, MONDAY, 8:00 P.M. EASTERN, TCM

8:00 p.m. Eastern--  "The Big Heat"  Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame, Alexander Scourby, Jocelyn Brando, Lee Marvin

 

OK, it's the familiar, landmark Fritz Lang-directed "The Big Heat".  I'm always yammering about it.   Doesn't matter how often it's aired, it's an event and packs a wallop (she declared confidently!)

 

 

The passionate but tightly leashed police detective (Ford), on a quest to bring down his city's smooth but murderous crime boss (Scourby)-- I find that policeman endlessly complex and interesting.  Ford's best role-- it played to something deep in his persona, I believe.

 

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Gloria Grahame's coarse, wistful, child-like moll, Lee Marvin's almost casual brutality, Jocelyn Brando's poignant sprite-like wife to Ford, Jeannette Nolan as her opposite number, the amoral, grasping wife of another policeman-- it's a deft graffitti-scrawl of quirky humanity.  The clean, pared-down, almost Spartan sets and cinematography, the terse dialogue with multiple meanings--  all perfectly further director Lang's singular vision of this corrupted urban universe.

 

Watch for slinky, almost unrecognizably blonde Carolyn Jones in a small part as a bar patron Lee Marvin menaces...

Lee Marvin must have had such an impact when he first hit films, with that maverick quality and that vocal growl:

 

Jeannette Nolan is one cool cookie in this:

 

There are always so many levels, nuances and characters to notice with each viewing of this master work.   Love director Fritz Lang!

big-heat-the-1953-004-glenn-ford-behind-fence-00m-qd9.jpg

 

 

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,071
Registered: ‎04-14-2018

Re: MY FAVORITE FILM NOIR OF ALL TIME, MONDAY, 8:00 P.M. EASTERN, TCM

Thank you @Oznell .

You are my North Star of TCM goodies!

DVR set.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,889
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Re: MY FAVORITE FILM NOIR OF ALL TIME, MONDAY, 8:00 P.M. EASTERN, TCM

Great film. I’ll be watching it tonight. Thanks for the info. I’ve introduced my husband to film noir and he is really enjoying these movies.

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Posts: 1,402
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: MY FAVORITE FILM NOIR OF ALL TIME, MONDAY, 8:00 P.M. EASTERN, TCM

Wow, what a review!  

 

A long, long time ago, I took a fun course on old movies at a local community college.  He would have us salivating for each particular movie.  You sound just like our teacher!  Woman LOL

 

Always love reading your thoughts on those great, old movies.

 

 

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Posts: 2,720
Registered: ‎07-12-2012

Re: MY FAVORITE FILM NOIR OF ALL TIME, MONDAY, 8:00 P.M. EASTERN, TCM

 

 

"Gloria Grahame's coarse, wistful, child-like moll, Lee Marvin's almost casual brutality, Jocelyn Brando's poignant sprite-like wife to Ford, Jeannette Nolan as her opposite number, the amoral, grasping wife of another policeman-- it's a deft graffitti-scrawl of quirky humanity.  The clean, pared-down, almost Spartan sets and cinematography, the terse dialogue with multiple meanings--  all perfectly further director Lang's singular vision of this corrupted urban universe."

 

         @Oznell Wow! 

 

As @Chicagosuburbangirl  said:  "You are my North Star of TCM goodies!"

 

 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,892
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: MY FAVORITE FILM NOIR OF ALL TIME, MONDAY, 8:00 P.M. EASTERN, TCM

I don't believe I've ever seen this movie, so I'll be sure to set my recorder!  I adore the ever handsome Glenn Ford.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,035
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: MY FAVORITE FILM NOIR OF ALL TIME, MONDAY, 8:00 P.M. EASTERN, TCM

Glenn Ford is TCM's Star of the Month. So they are starting off with a goodie.

 

Thanks for your review, Oznell.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,229
Registered: ‎11-08-2014

Re: MY FAVORITE FILM NOIR OF ALL TIME, MONDAY, 8:00 P.M. EASTERN, TCM

Thanks, @Chicagosurburbangirl, @roeroe1005, and @alliswell-- kind words. 

 

And film noir gang, this will be a party!  I think your husband will enjoy, @Vivian-- this one always strikes me as equally appealing to men and women... 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,672
Registered: ‎05-13-2010

Re: MY FAVORITE FILM NOIR OF ALL TIME, MONDAY, 8:00 P.M. EASTERN, TCM

[ Edited ]

I have two - 'Ship of Fools' with the young very handsome Oscar Werner.

 

The other is my very fav love story 'Jane Eyre'. Brings tears every time.

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Posts: 3,915
Registered: ‎06-15-2014

Re: MY FAVORITE FILM NOIR OF ALL TIME, MONDAY, 8:00 P.M. EASTERN, TCM

Great analysis as always. One of my favs also. An 

iconic movie. Thanks so much for your posts. They are 

greatly appreciated.