Comments on: Nightfall (1957): Final curtain call for classic noir

By: Mike Lipkin

Mike Lipkin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:29:46 +0000

Tony,
Excellent review of Nightfall. I can see that the movie veers from the story in the book.
As to the issue f the transition from noir to neo-noir, I’m going to have to study that a little. Coincidentally, I’m reading an article right now about that by Lee Horsley.
More on all this later.
Mike L.
Noir Journal

By: Sam Juliano

Sam Juliano — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:23:47 +0000

What a thread here! I haven’t seen it until now! Well, I have seen NIGHTFALL, and it’s rather sub-standard methinks, although I have the utmost respect for Tourneur, who around that time directed CURSE OF THE DEMON, one of the most intellectual of horror films. Yes the craftsmanship is here, and yes, it’s well written and performed, but the fact that it’s length shows (and its a short film) speaks volumes. Still, I know it has it’s fans, and I appreciated the Eddie Muller quotes from Dee Dee there.

By: Tony D'Ambra

Tony D'Ambra — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:24:22 +0000

Deedee, I am jumping off the merry-go-round. I am getting dizzy. In my post I said: “Jacques Tourneur’s Nightfall signals the coming end of the classic noir cycle.”

By: Dcd

Dcd — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:42:41 +0000

Tony said, Deedee, we were talking about the end of noir not the beginning of neo-noir…”

Tony, you have to remember that I don’t think of film noir as ending, but making the “transition”
from one level to another level…Therefore, I would have to do more research in order to determine which film that I consider the first…neo-noir.
Btw, if you read my previous comments, I never use the words…“end of noir…”

Tks,
Deedee (Over to you,… )

By: Dcd

Dcd — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:03:39 +0000

Huh?!?

By: Tony D'Ambra

Tony D'Ambra — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:22:15 +0000

Deedee, we were talking about the end of noir not the beginning of neo-noir…

By: Dcd

Dcd — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:06:48 +0000

Tony, as you know the “debate” about what film is the film that ended that (The film noir) cycle is infinite among some film noir novice(s) and aficionados… Therefore, I guess the debate continues… symbolism or no symbolism…
Because, I agree with author Eddie Muller, assessment that the 1960 film Psycho is the film that “ushered” in the neo noir cycle.

I’ am “truly adamant” about “sticking to my guns” and author Eddie Muller’s explanation.
I ‘am “unwavering” when it comes to me believing that Hitchcock’s 1960 film Psycho (Hitch’s 1960 film “Psycho” which was actually filmed in 1959, but released in August of 1960) is the film that “ushered” in the neo-noir period.

That what makes his (Eddie Muller,) explanation so acceptable to me….because Psycho was being “shot” during the period as film noir was in the “throes” of making the transition from film noir to neo noir.

Therefore, as far as I’am concerned film noir made the transition on August 25, of 1960 to neo noir… with the mere bringing down of a knife, shower curtain, a woman’s torso across a tub, and her dilated pupil staring at the viewers, as chocolate imitating blood swirled down the drain…

Tks,
Deedee

By: Tony D'Ambra

Tony D'Ambra — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:22:22 +0000

Deedee, what I mean is that you can infer virtually any symbolism you want on anything if you try hard enough…

By: Dcd

Dcd — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:45:42 +0000

Tony said, Deedee, a symbol does not an event make. Classic noir ended before the 60s began.

Tony, what do the mean?…
Can you please explain that to me?
Thanks,
Deedee

By: Tony D'Ambra

Tony D'Ambra — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:25:39 +0000

Deedee, a symbol does not an event make. Classic noir ended before the 60s began.