Michael Shepler, cultural coordinator for PoliticalAffairs.net, has written an interesting article on noir westerns, Sagebrush Noir: The Western as ‘Social Problem’ Film. Schleper traces the origins of film noir from German expression through to the 50′s, and cites some Hollywood films of the 30s that are not usually referred to in discussions of film noir:
There were some pioneer American noirs such as Rowland Brown’s Beast of the City and Mamoulian’s City Streets and even a few embryonic westerns such as Wyler’s exceedingly grim version of the much filmed ‘Three Godfathers’ story, ‘Hell’s Heroes’ , shot in 1930.
He then goes on to review four western movies which he labels ‘Sagebrush Noirs’: Raoul Walsh’s Pursued (1947), Robert Wise’s Blood on the Moon (1948), and two early westerns by Anthony Mann, The Furies (1950) and Devil’s Doorway (1950). Other films noted by Shepler include Ramrod, Springfield Rifle, and Day of the Outlaw by Andre de Toth; Jubal, 3:10 to Yuma, Cowboy and The Hanging Tree by Delmer Daves; Budd Boetticher’s Randolph Scott westerns 7 Men From Now (1957) and Comanche Station (1960); Little Big Horn (1950) by Charles Marquis Warren; Sam Fuller’s I Shot Jesse James and Forty Guns; and two low budget Anthony Quinn films, The Man From Del Rio and The Ride Back which, were associated with Robert Aldrich’s ‘Associates and Robert Aldrich’ studio and produced during the same period as Kiss Me Deadly.
The full article is highly recommended.
Hi! Tony D’Ambra, I am unable to view The full article which is highly recommended. Maybe it’s just my computer?!?
dcd ;)
I must admit 2 of my favorite western films that are considered western noir(s) starring a couple of film noir icons are: “The Violent Men” (1955) starring actors Glenn Ford,(Gilda) Edward G. Robinson and actress Barbara Stanwyck.(Double Indemnity) and “Ramrod” (1947) starring actress Veronica Lake (The Glass Key, This Gun for Hire and The Blue Dahlia.) and actors Joel McCrea and Preston Foster. (Kansas City Confidential)
dcd ;)
Hi dcd. Tks for the extra title! I think the ‘gremlin’ has moved to your PC :)
Fascinating stuff here! I want to look at BLOOD ON THE MOON (and have been promised a copy by ‘you know who?’) again, as I failed to secure a permanent copy. Schleper’s treatment here is truly magisterial and comprehensive.
I consider the “Halliday Brand” a western noir. Curious casting to be sure, but elements of noir and a very haunting score make it at least a partial winner. What do you think, Kimosabe?
Thanks for this pointer Colin. I haven’t seen Hallidays Brand, but the IMDB entry certainly supports your view. I will have to check it out.