Événement

NOIR CITY 17: 1956: THE SCARLET HOUR / A KISS BEFORE DYING

Wednesday, January 30: 1956

7:15
THE SCARLET HOUR
(1956, Paramount. 95 min.)

Scr. Alford Van Ronkel, Frank Tashlin, John Meredyth Lucas. Dir. Michael Curtiz

Nearing the end of his legendary directing career, Michael Curtiz (The Adventures of Robin Hood, Casablanca, Mildred Pierce) produced and directed this intricately plotted thriller in which tony seductress Paulie Nevins (Carol Ohmart) and her lover (Tom Tryon), overhearing plans for a jewel robbery, hatch a scheme to deliver themselves from Paulie's possessive husband (James Gregory). Featuring "discoveries" Ohmart, Tryon, and Broadway star Elaine Stritch (her first film role). Plus, Nat King Cole singing "Never Let Me Go" in the Crystal Room of the Beverly Hills Hotel. You'll only see this at NOIR CITY! Presented in a 35mm archival print courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Cast: Carol Ohmart (Paulie Nevins), Tom Tryon (E.V. "Marsh" Marshall), Jody Lawrance (Kathy Stevens), James Gregory (Ralph Nevins), Elaine Stritch (Phyllis Rycker), E.G. Marshall (Lt. Jennings), Edward Binns (Sgt. Allen), Scott Marlowe (Vince), Billy Gray (Tom Rycker)

9:10
A KISS BEFORE DYING
(1956, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer [Park Circus]. 94 min.)

Scr. Lawrence Roman, from the novel by Ira Levin. Dir. Gerd Oswald

Bud Corliss is suave, charming, handsome--the ideal catch for any young woman in 1950s America. But when Bud's girlfriend unexpectedly becomes pregnant, throwing a wrench in his avaricious social-climbing, Bud becomes a literal ladykiller. This rare example of widescreen Technicolor noir is a Douglas Sirk melodrama turned homicidal. Matinee idol Robert Wagner threw a wicked curve into his career by playing one of the most amoral heels in Hollywood history; the film also garnered much controversy for its frank handling of pregnancy. Gerd Oswald's directing debut is a rarely screened look at the underbelly of American affluence in the 1950s. Presented in 35mm courtesy of Park Circus
Cast: Robert Wagner (Bud Corliss), Jeffrey Hunter (Gordon Grant), Virginia Leith (Ellen Kingship), Joanne Woodward (Dorothy Kingship), Mary Astor (Mrs. Corliss)