ASK EDDIE - May 12, 2022

FNF prez Eddie Muller responds to film noir fan questions fielded by the Foundation's Director of Communications Anne Hockens. In this episode, we discuss THE LATE SHOW, whether it is the leading men or the lesser players who provide the desperation in noir, indelible small noir characters, what makes San Francisco noir, and more. Eddie also reveals who he would pick to direct and star in an adaption of a Chester Himes’ Grave Digger and Coffin Ed novel. We end with a round of “Noir or Not?”. Emily wants her close-up but is too lazy to turn around for it. Charlotte helps her out. Want your question answered in a future episode? We solicit questions from our email subscribers in our monthly newsletters. Sign up for free at https://www.filmnoirfoundation.org/si... Note: Eddie will not be able to answer questions posted during the livestream nor ones left on our social media accounts. This week’s questions: 1. Early country music always seemed to me to be the more apt comparison, mostly due to its down & out lyrics. Thoughts? 2. What are both your takes on THE LATE SHOW? 3. I think the fear, doubt, weakness, dread, and desperation in film noirs are portrayed in roles other than that of the lead male protagonist. What are your thoughts on this distinction? Mart, Los Angeles 4. Which small performances in noir/crime pictures from the '40s and '50s do you find most indelible? 5. Any chance of Andre de Toth ‘s SLATTERY’S HURRICANE getting out of limbo and on a disc? 6. Are you familiar with last film that Marsha Hunt appeared in 2008 called Empire State Building Murders? 7. I’d like to nominate ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES for preservation with the National Film Registry but want to have a full understanding of any legal restrictions that may still be in effect.  8. What makes San Francisco so special to noir? Could you each name a few qualities about the city that appeal so dramatically to noir. (What is the contrast with LA?) 9. How big were the noir films at the box office with their original showings? How did they fare against the comedies? 10. The new version of NIGHTMARE ALLEY had a color version and black and white version put out with director's approval. Have you guys ever heard of this being done before? 11. Why are actors instructed to leave doors open when they enter and leave? They walk away and leave car doors open on the street, they leave doors open when they enter from the outside, and on the way out. Is this a type of method for acting and directing? 12. If Eddie could have produced a film of a Chester Himes’ novel, who would he have play Grave Digger and Coffin Ed and who would he want to direct? 13. Noir or not? (a) “L’ambitieuse (b) “Night of the Demon” (c) Joel Coen’s TRAGEDY OF MacBeth- Denzel Washington & Frances McDormand. (d) The Devil 1921 with George Arlis (e) Now, Voyager (f) Little Foxes (g) All About Eve