It Came from Outer Space (1953)

John Putnam: [Describing the spaceship] I tell you from its size and its appearance this thing come from outer space. I even have reason to believe that there's some form of life in it.

The 50’s brought some interesting sci’fi films to the cinema, some of them very highly regarded even today such as The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), The Thing from Another World (1951), Forbidden Planet (1956), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) and of course today’s effort being It Came from Outer Space from 1953.  Whilst 3D technology was being played around with for a few decades, the so called “golden era” was about 1952 to 1954 after which it started to fade out again only to gain a small revival in the 60’s and fluctuated up and down through the following decades until the most successful 3D movie of all-time hit the screens…Avatar, in 2009.  Anyway, It Came from Outer Space was the first 3D feature by Universal and up until October 2016 it was unavailable to see in 3D however the 2D DVD was available.  Being pleasantly surprised by the DVD presentation of the film I jumped on the Pre-Order wagon as soon as I saw that the film had been given a 3D restoration by the company 3D Film Archive (http://www.3dfilmarchive.com/).  

The film was directed by Jack Arnold who also brought other great classics to the big screen such as The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Tarantula and The Incredible Shrinking Man.  It begins with John Putnam (Richard Carlson) and girlfriend Ellen Fields (Barbara Rush) having a casual night at John’s house when they spot what appeared to be a meteor passing through the sky then plunging into the ground.  Curiously they go to the crash site the following morning and John discovers that the object that crashed was a ship of some sort and as he gets a closer look before the walls of the crater begin to fall in covering the spacecraft.  Naturally everyone things he is bonkers until strange things start happening in the town.  Why are they here?  What is happening to some of the people in the town?  Is it war?  

Interestingly, this film had a heavy influence on Stephen Spielberg when he made Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), and those who remember the TV show Gilligan’s Island will recognise a much younger version of “The Professor” Russell Johnson as one of the characters in the movie.   It’s also interesting to note that two aliens were made for the movie, the one that got rejected was later used in the 1955 film This Island Earth which I will review after Noirvember.   

The movie is actually well-made and whilst there is a bit of the campy feeling at times it is generally a well thought out and acted film that is kept to a taunt 81 minutes.  For its time the effects are quite good but more importantly the story is well written and directed.  There seems to be a focus on the powerlines throughout the movie almost giving the idea that the aliens are using them to be able to “see” what is going on around them which is quite original.  I really enjoyed the film when I watched it on DVD and it only got better when seeing it on Bluray in 3D, but the 2D presentation on the Bluray also trumps the DVD.  There are some great 3D effects shown to us which are not overly gimmicky and in many ways it transforms the film through the intelligent use of depth.  This is no fake 2D to 3D conversion but was actually filmed in 3D which enhances the effects dramatically and adds greater feel to the movie as opposed to just adding the “wow” effect, though that is certainly present at times with some items feeling as though they are in front of the TV screen.  

 

The disc reviewed was both the Australian DVD (above left) and the imported UK Bluray (above right) that contains both a 2D and 3D version of the film.  Apart from the opening scene overlooking the town which is quite soft, both the DVD and Bluray have a sharp image, though the Bluray is a good leap above the DVD in terms of contrast and sharpness and can contain a lot of detail even in 3D.  Both versions are shown in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio however the DVD has 2 channel Dolby Digital audio and the Bluray has the original 3 channel audio in a DTS Master Audio format which naturally sounds much better than the DVD.  The Bluray has a somewhat brighter image than the DVD and they have also restored the Intermission in the film that has been missing since its release, some 63 years ago.  The DVD can be purchased on ebay for even less than $10 and the Bluray imported from the UK for about $20.  Personally I would go for the Bluray if you’re a fan of the film or 50’s Sci-fi, or the DVD if your more curious about it, unless of course the price drops on the Bluray.

The DVD and Bluray share the same extras being:

• “The Universe According to Universal” An Original Documentary on It Came from Outer Space (about 30min)
• Feature Commentary with Film Historian Tom Weaver
• Theatrical Trailer

I was happy with the DVD but ecstatic with the Bluray release of this great classic as we are seeing the film in the way it was filmed and in such good quality!  Overall it is a “must see” film for fans of 50’s sci-fi and well worth its place in that movie collection.  Highly Recommended for 50’s sci-fi fans!  

Note: Screen caps are not from the Bluray but the DVD version. The Bluray is somewhat better than the DVD image shown.

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Woman on the Run (1950)

Inspector Martin Ferris: [questioning Mrs Johnson about her husband] Where does he generally go when he’s not at home? Eleanor Johnson: I haven’t the faintest idea. Inspector Martin Ferris: Who are his friends? Eleanor Johnson: I don’t know his friends. The dog is our only mutual friend.

There is something about Film Noir that keeps you coming back for more.  Is it the quick witty dialogue, the shadowy cinematography, the often simple suspense or just the charm of those B movies that were made during the prime noir period of the 40’s and 50’s?  Woman on the Run was thought to have been lost forever after a fire broke out at the Hollywood’s Universal lot in 2008 (a year after I visited) but a copy was located in the UK which had no sound and a sound source was located elsewhere and the result is the now restored DVD/Bluray of the film.

Woman on the Run is an unusual noir in that it doesn’t just contain elements that make a “noir” but also the rediscovery of romance which makes it kind of unique.  As the quote above indicates, the marriage between Eleanor Johnson (Ann Sheridan) and Frank Johnson (Dan O’Keefe) was not the best.  Communication had dwindled to almost nothing (as you will hear in the film) and the only real friend they had in common was their dog.  A sad state of affairs.  Anyway, whilst out walking the dog at night Frank witnesses a murder.  The police kindly point out that he needs their protection in case the murderer comes back again to seek his life, but Frank decides to run and hide out himself.  He sends his wife a cryptic note as to his whereabouts that only she would know the answer to.  Eleanor then slowly begins to rediscover her fond memories with her husband and comes to the realisation that he still loves her.  Assisting her in finding clues is a news reporter who wants the exclusive story from Frank when he is found but the Police are also on the case, following Eleanor’s every move.  Can she find her husband before the killer does?  

The Film Noir Foundation assisted in the funding to restore both this and the other “lost” classic Too Late for Tears and there was quite a bit of excitement in the film noir camp about these, especially Woman on the Run whose only copy available was on Youtube in very poor quality.  So now we have the restored movie and I must say that the movie is really good and worthy of such restoration.  As mentioned above, its unique in some of its qualities whilst still keeping within that film noir classification.  The acting is really good in particular that of Ann Sheridan (also co-Produced the film) who just breathes the character from the start right up till the rollercoaster ending.  I wouldn’t say it was among the top noir that I have seen, but certainly nowhere near the worst.  It’s just a good, solid and brisk (at 78min) all-rounder that leans a little closer to the drama/thriller side of things as opposed to full-blooded noir.  There are some neat camera angles and some shadowy scenes of San Francisco but I wouldn’t say it is as “noir” as the likes of “Kiss Me Deadly” or “Out of the Past”.

The DVD/Bluray double pack reviewed here is basically a copy of the “Flicker Alley” production that was brought out in conjunction with the Film Noir Foundation in USA.  It has been released by Arrow Academy in the UK and can be purchased from the usual places like Amazon.co.uk and Zavii.com.  The image quality is really good though it does have speckles scattered throughout but it’s not too distracting.  The audio is good in its uncompressed format for Bluray.  The DVD, included in the pack, was not used for the review.  The package also comes with the following extras:

• Audio commentary by author, historian and “noirchaeologist” Eddie Muller
• Love is a Rollercoaster: Woman on the Run Revisited featurette
• A Wild Ride: Restoring Woman on the Run featurette
• Noir City – a short featurette on the annual Noir City Film Festival
• Image Gallery
• Reversible Bluray cover featuring both the original and new artwork (the new is shown above)

Overall the movie is a really good watch for those who like films from this period and is therefore highly recommend it but if you are coming in cold to noir, there are certainly better noirs to choose from such as Night of the Hunter, Murder, My Sweet, Dark Passage and In a Lonely Place.  Personally, I really enjoyed the film and it was as good as the hype surrounding the new restoration.  If you’re a noir fan, go for it.  If you just want to check it out, try putting up with the youtube version to see if it’s something you would like to fork out the $$ for.

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The Long Goodbye (1973)

Philip Marlowe: Nobody cares but me.
Terry Lennox: Well that's you, Marlowe. You'll never learn, you're a born loser.
Philip Marlowe: Yeah, I even lost my cat.

Philip Marlowe.  To those who do not know film noir, Philip Marlowe first appeared in the 1939 novel “The Big Sleep”, written by Raymond Chandler, and was subsequently played by Humphrey Bogart in the 1946 movie of the same name (remade in 1976 starring Robert Mitchum).  Some other novels written by Chandler with Marlowe as the main character was Farewell, My Lovely, Lady in the Lake and The Long Goodbye all of which have also been made into movies.  However, looking at the above poster would make you think that this was not a serious crime caper and in a way you would be right.  It can be classified as neo-noir, part comedy and crime flick all in one with a good dose of drama.  Quite unlike The Big Sleep, Lady in the Lake or Farewell, My Lovely.

One song you will hear throughout the film is “The Long Goodbye” written by John Williams and Johnny Mercer but in a variety of styles.  The very start of the film is playing a song (Hooray for Hollywood) in an old 40’s or 50’s style and then suddenly changes to a more modern version of The Long Goodbye as we see Marlowe for the first time almost giving the idea that the main character has suddenly shifted from the 40’s to the present day, being the 70’s.  Then as the film moves to another character the style of the theme song changes again to something more upbeat or modern for that 70’s era giving the idea that others around Marlowe are in the right time era but Marlowe, an old school detective, is somehow trapped in an era that is not his own which is further reinforced by his house and the car he drives.  Yes, it sounds like a bizarre idea but it works especially for those who have watched and know film noir in particular, the Marlowe films.  He is an odd character who talks to himself a lot, makes wise cracks that few seem to find funny yet has some solid principals that those around him do not seem to share.  The funny thing about this version of Marlowe is that things don’t seem to work out for him like they did in the older movies.  For instance, his cat has run away yet he, a detective, is unable to find it, then later in the film he chases after the girl but is unable to get her attention and she drives off without him.  Different from the norm ☺

Philip Marlowe (Elliot Gould) gets a visit late one night by his friend Terry Lennox (Jim Bouton) who appears to be on the run and asks Marlowe to drive him to the Mexican border.  After he is dropped off, Marlowe gets a visit from crime boss Marty Augustine (Mark Rydell) and his thugs demanding to know where Terry is because he was carrying $350,000 that belonged to Augustine.  The crime gang soon leaves after a nasty little incident which gave Marlowe a warning as to what might happen to him if the money does not turn up.  Soon after, Marlowe receives a message to call Eileen Wade (Nina van Pallandt) who is very concerned about her husband Roger Wade (Sterling Hayden – one of my favourite noir actors who also adds credibility to this Marlowe being in a different era cause Haydn has grown older in looks but Marlowe is still young comparably).  Marlowe locates Roger in a temporary mental home run by Dr. Verringer (Henry Gibson) and returns him to his wife.  But as always, the plot thickens as many of these characters have links and things are not always as they appear.  It can be hard to follow but those who have seen The Big Sleep can probably rest easy knowing that it’s not as deep as that ☺

This is a movie that grows on you the more you watch it as you tend to pick up little details and also how much work went into it.  The idea that Director Robert Altman (also directed MASH, McCabe & Mrs. Miller and Nashville) had was brought to life realistically and intelligently in this film.  It was a bold move that, as stated above, makes you unsure whether to take it as noir, comedy or a crime/heist drama but as you get to the end of the film you realise its all of the above and is filmed and pieced together very well which is no doubt why it has now been received as a cult classic.  First time actor Jim Bouton does not appear very convincing however the rest come across well in the portrayal of their characters.  Speaking of characters, keep an eye out for the security guard who does a few impersonations of some old noir actors which is another wonderful touch.  We also see Arnold Schwarzenegger in his younger years as one of the thugs but he has no speaking lines.
There is a bit of nudity in the film from Marlowe’s neighbours so keep that in mind if there are kids watching.

The Bluray reviewed here is the “Arrow Academy” imported from the UK.  Arrow are well known and respected for bringing out well thought out titles usually with some nice extras and a solid visual presentation, much like the UK’s Eureka Masters of Cinema and USA’s Criterion.  As it is from the UK it is a Region B disc so it will work in Australian players unlike Criterion which are region A locked.  The image may come over as a bit washed out to many but that is the way it was filmed, or rather the process in which it was filmed.  So putting that aside, the image quality is pretty much the best you will see it unless a full 4K restoration is done.  Contrast is usually good, though blacks will not always be super black because of the way it was filmed, sharpness is quite good though not as good as many other films from the era, but acceptable.  Sound is passed to our ears via an uncompressed PCM mono soundtrack and sounds quite nice and voices are quite clear along with the music.  The Bluray also includes the following extras:

• Isolated Music and Effects soundtrack
• Rip Van Marlowe: an interview with director Robert Altman and star Elliot Gould
• Giggle and Give In (documentary about Robert Altman)
• Interviews with Vilmos Zsigmond (cinematographer), Elliot Gould (about The Long Goodbye), David Thompson (on Robert Altman), Tom Williams (on Raymond Chandler) and Maxim Jakubowski (on Hard Boiled Fiction)
• Theatrical Trailer
• Radio Spots

There is a DVD available which can be purchased for about $10 from eBay and two other Blurays, one being Region A (from Kino) which is not recommended due to the region coding making it unplayable in Australian Bluray players.

Overall, it’s a movie that can be hard to watch due to the complex plot or if you are expecting a full on crime movie, but it grows on you and is enjoyable especially if you appreciate noir films.  It is not the best movie out there but it is very well made and has gained its following because of that.  Recommended especially for noir fans!

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The Big Heat (1953)

Vince Stone: Hey, that's nice perfume!
Debby Marsh: Something new. It attracts mosquitoes and repels men.
Vince Stone: It doesn't work that way with me.
Debby Marsh: It's not supposed to.
[She gives him a teasing kiss]

Fritz Lang, who is well known for such classics as the silent films Metropolis and Spione (Spies) through to the talkie era of M (his first talkie film) to Scarlet Street and Man Hunt directed 42 movies and needless to say, you don’t get to direct that many films if you’re a dud.  This fella, who fled Germany at the rise of Nazi power, had a fantastic attention to detail and has pumped out a lot of hits that remain very solid to this day.  The film for today is one of those currently rated at 100% at www.rottentomatoes.com and let me say now up front, that its certainly worthy of such a rating!  

Dave Bannion (Glenn Ford), a Detective in the Police force, investigates what would appear to be the suicide of a cop.  It all seems to be an open and shut case but questions start getting asked when a friend of the dead cop gives information that is contrary to what his wife revealed and as further questions are asked, the witness also gets murdered which instead of silencing the matter causes Dave to dig deeper even though he gets told to stop the investigation by his boss.  Ignoring the warnings, he continues to probe even up to crime boss Mike Lagana (Alexander Scourby) and his brutal and heavy handed thug Vince Stone (a young Lee Marvin whose brutality is similar to the 1964 version of The Killers).  Vince’s girlfriend Debby Marsh (Gloria Grahame) see’s the integrity in Dave and begins to like and trust him but that gets her in hot water as they try to tackle the crime syndicate.  

The film is brutal and the characters are tough and brazen with the actors doing a wonderfully convincing job in portraying their characters.  The story is engaging and keeps you in and wanting more when the film has ended.  It reeks of quality from start to finish which, no doubt, is the reason why it is still so well respected 63 years after it was made. This is a film that will fulfill your film noir craving with ease.

The DVD used for the review was imported from the UK for about $13 Aussie bucks and is a complete bargain. There was a limited (only 3000) Bluray release of the film by Twilight Time in the USA but they quickly sold out and they have since done another limited release but again it will end up cost about $50 Aussie bucks to import it from the U.S..  There is a Spanish version of the Bluray available and a wonderful looking French edition which comes with a DVD and Bluray along with a 160-page book on the film but unless you read/understand french the extras and book will be little more than eye-candy.  The DVD reviewed comes with no extras (some of the other editions mentioned above have extras mostly in the form of interviews, notes or a commentary) and is shown in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio with good sharpness and contrast whilst retaining the film grain.  The Bluray would trump the DVD especially on larger screens but it comes at a steep cost for Aussies.

Overall I couldn’t recommend this film more and it gets full marks.  There are few movies that reach this status and is a good example of why older movies deserve much more attention than they currently get.  Do yourself a favour and give this one a whirl.

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