Houses of Noir : Dark Visions From Thirteen Film Studios

Examined Is The Author's Choice Of Best Noir Film Represented By Each Studio, Studio's History And Formation, Plot Outline, Careers Of The Star Roster For Each Studio, As Well As Each Producer, Director, Screenwriter, Camera Man, Composer, Art And Set Directors, A Critique Of Each Film As Well As A Series Of Stills That Represent Noir Style-- Allied Artists And The Gangster (1947) -- Columbia Pictures And Gilda (1946) -- Eagle-lion Studios And Hollow Triumph Aka The Scar (1948) -- Metro-goldwyn-mayer And The Asphalt Jungle (1950) -- Monogram Pictures And I Wouldn't Be In Your Shoes (1948) -- Paramount Pictures And Double Indemnity (1944) -- Producers Releasing Corporation And Detour (1945) -- Republic Pictures And House By The River (1950) -- Rko Radio Pictures And Out Of The Past (1947) -- 20th Century-fox And Laura (1944) -- United Artists And Too Late For Tears (1949) -- Universal Pictures And The Killers (1946) -- Warner Brothers And Possessed (1947) -- Independent Production Units -- The Runners-up -- Conclusion. Ronald Schwartz. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Film noir is a particularly American stylistic phenomenon (although named by French film critics) that permeated nearly every major, minor and independent Hollywood studio production from 1940 through the early 1960s. The author examines his personal choice of the best noir film represented by each studio and includes each studio's history and formation, a meticulous plot outline, an examination of the careers of the star roster for each studio, as well as each producer, director, screenwriter, camera man, composer, art and set directors, a critique of each film as well as a series of stills that represent the noir style. The book also includes, in shorter form, a chapter on the independent productions and the second choices of "best" film noirs of major and minor studios, film noirs that did not make the first cut. Film noir is a particularly American stylistic phenomenon (although named by French film critics) that permeated nearly every major, minor and independent Hollywood studio production from 1940 through the early 1960s. The author examines the best noir film from each studio and includes each studio's history, a meticulous plot outline and information on the careers of each studio's star roster. He also comments on producers, directors, screenwriters, camera men, composers, art and set directors and presents stills that represent the noir style. The book also has a discussion of independent productions and the second best film noirs of major and minor studios. "Examined is the author's choice of best noir film represented by each studio, studio's history and formation, plot outline, careers of the star roster for each studio, as well as each producer, director, screenwriter, camera man, composer, art and set directors, a critique of each film as well as a series of stills that represent noir style"-- Provided by publisher