ASK EDDIE - October 13, 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 noir credentials of “The Black Book”, “The Turning Point’ and “Kansas City Confidential’, the silent films that influenced film noir, which of today’s actors would best be suited to noir, 1970s noir and more. Plus, Eddie shares his behind-the-scenes stories from recording DVD commentaries with author James Ellroy. On the cat front, Charlotte had a bad day and needs to feel like a star while Emily just wants to sleep in her trailer. 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. Two questions from Bill in Walnut creek: 1) Will there be a Noir City Xmas this year? 2) Will you be returning to the Castro theatre for either the Xmas show or for the full Noir City Festival? 2. What would you recommend as a good, shorter B picture noir that would be good for a group whose only other experience with noir is “The Maltese Falcon”? Speaking of “The Maltese Falcon”, was the 1941 version a B picture? --Tyler 3. Is THE BLACK BOOK film noir? It out-noirs a lot of films in the noir canon. --Eric 4. Recently just saw “The Turning Point” and “Kansas City Confidential”. Care to explain how these two films are film noir?  I don't get it! Thanks again for your enlightenment .... and bringing film noir to us on TCM. --Rachel 5. I understand that German Expressionist films of the silent era were one of the major influences on later noir films. I recently watched the original 1922 “Nosferatu” and I was struck by how many visual noir motifs were present in the film. Do you know if Nosferatu had an especially great influence on later noir films? Or was it simply one of many German expressionist films to have such an influence. And what for that matter were some of the other German expressionist films which were seminal in the development of the noir style? --Sam 6. This might require a more general answer about set design.... “Kiss Me Deadly. There is a short scene with Ralph Meeker and Strother Martin at the dinner table. Two pennants are hanging on the wall. One says, “Los Angeles” but can’t read the finer print. Rams, I presume since Dodgers weren't there yet. The other pennant says “Alabama.” Can’t figure that one. Cannot find a link to Bama with Aldrich, assistant directors, producers, Bezzerides, set designer, art director, etc.  Any wild guesses? Seems out of place in L A. --Kyle 7. I saw a film noir movie the leading man never spoke during the entire film can you help me with that? What a cool movie would love to watch it again. seems like he was trying to avoid are being caught by cops  --Robert 8. Which of today's Actors and Actresses do you think would fit the noir profile the best.   Cate Blanchett and George Clooney. --Kevin (A new member) 9. We see so many streaming channels or apps for different genres of film. First is “Film Noir” a genre in your eyes. (I am of the opinion that it is) - and would you like to see this genre added like comedy, romance, horror, etc. as a sub-filter for existing providers and possibly its own streaming channel? I know I would. Although the streaming channel “Watch TCM” has the category of “crime” it doesn’t list “noir” which I feel is different than crime. What are your thoughts? --Steffen, Palm Springs, CA 10. I've been trying to watch Stephen Frears "The Hit" but no luck in finding a copy or streaming service. Will you ever show this on TCM? --Bernardo 11. Are you aware of any plans to write and film the third, missing episode of the Chinatown trilogy? --Patrick 12. What are your favorite noirs of the 1970s? Mine would either be “They Shoot Horses…” or “The Nickle Ride” followed closely by “Eddie Coyle”. Ironically, although I’m from Boston, and bank at the branch that is robbed in the opening sequence, I saw “Eddie Coyle’ in SF while driving cross country in my VW bus. --Phil, Dedham, MA 13. I am curious if you can share the behind the scenes actions of various departments in the DVD distribution companies who released “Crime Wave” and “The Lineup” of your audio commentaries with James Ellroy? What was the atmosphere at the recording sessions when the shenanigans began? Were there discussions with the producers whether the recordings should be shelved or redone? Were there concerns from the executives for any possible fallout which may harm the release and sales of the DVD box sets? --Conrad