The encyclopedia of film noir is designed to provide an accessible yet scholarly, userfriendly but researchinformed, comprehensive account of the phenomenon of. Encyclopedia of film noir free pdf, epub, fb2, fb3. Film noir literally black film or black cinema was coined by french film critics first by nino frank in 1946 who noticed the trend of how dark, downbeat and black the looks and themes were of many american crime and detective films released in france to theatres during and following world. May 27, 2010 film noir distills postwar anxiety into an existential cocktail that can still induce the spins, and this encyclopedic text, updated from previous editions, is a great place to start drinking. Therefore, the composition of this list may be controversial.
The encyclopedia book online at best prices in india on. Film authorities mayer and mcdonnell deliver a wellresearched, comprehensive guide to film noir history. This fourth edition of film noir extends what has been the greatest strength of this work. Film noir is a term used to describe crime drama movies from hollywood that are often focused on sex, crime, and corruption. The encyclopedia fills you in on what came before and after, be it back in noir s heyday or in its more recent neo noir incarnations. Classic period by alain silver, elizabeth ward, james ursini and robert porfirio. Even jaded enthusiasts who complain of its flaws, omissions, and inconsistencies will love this magnificent volume. The best books on film noir five books expert recommendations. Alain silver, elizabeth ward, james ursini and robert.
The essential reference guide applause books grant, john on. Alain silver and james ursini are the authors of film noir. Often bathed in gloomy shadows, the ominous mood of the films mirrored the corruption and paralysis of the underworld characters they presented. Meet the cynical and obsessive heroes of film noir portrayed by actors like. You may encounter a guntoting gangster, a femme fatale wrapped in fur, a detective with the brim of his hat turned down, or a desperate murderer lurking in the shadows of a doorway. Film noir encyclopedia collectibles on movies unlimited. Complete film noir 1940 thru 1965 page 1 of 15 consensus. The film noir encyclopedia is a joy for noir enthusiastsa musthave for scholars, students, filmmakers, and fans. Robert benton, writer of bonnie and clyde this is certainly an important book to have on your shelf.
A companion to film noir encyclopedia 4th edition neo noir list. This film noir encyclopedia pulls noir from the shadows popmatters. Thank heaven for the ecumenical definition of film noir used by the editors the fourth and fattest edition of the film noir encyclopedia. The parameters of film noir, as well as our knowledge of this most sinister movie genre, are greatly expanded with the recent release of film noir. Edited by scholars alain silver, elizabeth ward, james ursini, and robert porfirio, this encyclopedia is the first completely new and updated. Neo noir by alain silver, elizabeth ward, james ursini and robert porfirio a companion to the film noir encyclopedia 4th edition. Brian mcdonnell new zealandbased film studies scholars mayer and mcdonnell list and describe approximately films, actors, and directors of the film noir genre in alphabetically arranged entries. Film noir is a term used to describe crime drama movies from hollywood that are often focused on sex, crime, and corruption film noir movies were mostly made from the early 1940s to the late 1950s in the united states, and they were usually filmed in blackandwhite. The encyclopedia a revised and redesigned fourth edition of the classic pioneering text that movie lovers consider the final word on the cinematic world of fog and shadows. Film noir, style of filmmaking characterized by such elements as cynical heroes, stark lighting effects, and frequent use of flashbacks. This film noir encyclopedia pulls noir from the shadows. Enter the world of film noir, a world of darkness, ambiguity, and moral corruption. At that time, the term signified an unexpected strain of maturity in contemporary american film, marking the end of a creatively ossified era and the beginning of a bold new one. An encyclopedic reference to the american style has stood out in noir culture since its original publication in 1979.
The encyclopedia the overlook press, 2010 lee horsley, lancaster university. Characters in many films describe themselves as walking dead men. The essential reference guide by john grant 20, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Film writer barry forshaw plunges us into a world of dangerous women in ankle bracelets, flawed heroes silhouetted against a dark rainswept street, smoky jazz scores and very unhappy endings. General overview of film noir and covering its most important themes chap. We have new and used copies available, in 1 editions. The film noir encyclopedia directors guild of america. Every film listed in the film noir encyclopedia 4th edition.
The encyclopedia and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. May, 2010 alain silver and james ursini are the authors of film noir. His articles have appeared in numerous film journals, newspapers, and online magazines. The film noir encyclopedia by alain silver, hardcover. The postman always rings twice is a 1946 drama film noir based on the 1934 novel of the same name by james m. Review film authorities mayer and mcdonnell deliver a wellresearched, comprehensive guide to film noir history. Pages in category film noir the following 37 pages are in this category, out of 37 total. Just about all texts ive encountered on the subject cite this benchmark work, though i suspect that more noir fans seen the title than have actually looked inside. Raymond chandler once wrote that the streets are dark with something more than night, this book is the most expansive and comprehensive exploration of what looms in that darkness. Although the hardboiled detective is the stereotypical noir hero, the central male characters in film. Presents an overview of the characters, themes, and motifs featured in film noir, including contemporary contributions to the genre. Many films noirs develop virtually no expectation of happy endings.
Film noir simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. To minimize dispute the films included here should preferably feature a footnote linking to a reliable, published source which states that the mentioned film is considered to be a film noir by an expert in this field, e. Film noir movies were mostly made from the early 1940s to the late 1950s in the united states, and they were usually filmed in blackandwhite. A list of 154 films compiled on letterboxd, including after dark, my sweet 1990, against all odds 1984, at close range 1986, bad influence 1990 and bad lieutenant 1992. Alain silver, elizabeth ward, james ursini, robert porfirio eds, film noir. The following is a list of films belonging to the neo noir genre. Buy the film noir encyclopedia by alain silver editor, elizabethm ward editor, james ursini editor online at alibris. The film noir encyclopedia silver, alain, ward, elizabethm, ursini, james on. Sun post weekly the publication of an updated film noir. I love lists and encyclopedias that help me pick out good stuff to watch. And to learn about any film noir that is not american, the reader will have to go elsewhere. You may encounter a guntoting gangster, a femme fatale wrapped in fur, a detective with the brim of his hat turned down, or a. The encyclopedia is an essential reference work for students of film and for movie fans who love plying cinemas mean streets. Complete film noir 1940 thru 1965 page 1 of 15 consensus film noir 1940 thru 1959 19601965 iinternet movie database 23march2011 efilm noir encyclopedia.
Meet the cynical and obsessive heroes of film noir portrayed by actors like humphrey bogart, peter lorre, james cageny, joan crawford, and bette davis. Film noir distills postwar anxiety into an existential cocktail that can still induce the spins, and this encyclopedic text, updated from. The encyclopedia is a must have for any fan of the genre since it works as an indepth version of the internet movie database. May 12, 2010 the film noir encyclopedia is an instructive, analytical, intellectual approach to film noir.
With over 200 entries on films, directors, and actors, the encyclopedia of film noir is the most complete resource for film fans, students, and scholars. Meet the cynical and obsessive heroes of film noir portrayed by actors like humphrey bogart, peter lorre, james. Film noir is not a clearly defined genre see here for details on the characteristics. In 1946, french film critics coined the term film noir, meaning black or dark film, to describe a newly emergent quality in wartime hollywood films. An analysis of the low budget and series film noirs provides information on those cult classics. Leonard maltins movie crazy blog thank heaven for the ecumenical definition of film noir used by the editors the fourth and fattest edition of the film noir encyclopedia. Following a common convention of associating the 1940s and 1950s with film noir, the list takes 1960 to. The best books on film noir recommended by barry forshaw. The encyclopedia is a rewarding reminder of the nittygritty reality of that film. Encyclopedia of film noir geoff mayer, brian mcdonnell. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the classic period of american film noir. Immediately after a man is hanged for killing kendalls aunt, grodman, who was responsible for the mans conviction, learns the man was innocent. The heroes of noir generally share certain qualities, such as moral ambiguity, a fatalistic outlook, and alienation from society.
There are certainly books on film noir that might display more engaging prose, be more accessible to the casual fan, or just outandout be more noirish and sexy. The term film noir comes from the french term for black film or dark film. I first bought this classic reference book in the early 1980s a battered secondhand copy of the 1979 random house edition, edited by alain silver and elizabeth ward. They also exhibit an existential acceptance of random, arbitrary occurrences as being the determining factors in life. The encyclopedia by alain silver editor, elizabeth ward editor, james ursini editor online at alibris.
The film noir encyclopedia alain silver, elizabethm ward, james ursini on. The film noir encyclopedia by alain silver, hardcover barnes. It is indeed a beacon of light in an artful landscape of darkness. The first part of the encyclopedia provides five excellent essays on the genre, complete with references, and the second part has entries on films, actors, and directors. Grodman is forced to resign from scotland yard and is replaced by buckley. This adaptation of the novel features lana turner, john garfield, cecil.
A list of 412 films compiled on letterboxd, including abandoned 1949, the accused 1949, ace in the hole 1951, act of violence 1949 and affair in havana 1957. Early examples of the noir style include dark, stylized detective films such as john hustons the maltese falcon 1941, frank tuttles this gun for hire 1942, otto premingers laura 1944, and edward dmytryks murder, my sweet 1944. The compendium is venerable30 years and countingbut the overall. The encyclopedia priscilla finley university of nevada, las vegas, priscilla. The encyclopedia the following pages are my plot summaries and commentaries that were published in film noir. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
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