Événement

NOIR CITY 17: 1957: NIGHTFALL / THE BURGLAR

Thursday, January 31: 1957

7:30
NIGHTFALL
(1957, Columbia [Sony]. 78 min.)

Scr. Stirling Silliphant, from the novel by David Goodis. Dir. Jacques Tourneur

Artist Jim Vanning (Aldo Ray) has his life go off the rails when fate pitches a pair of on-the-lam crooks into his winter hunting trip. From then on, he lives life on the run, enduring relentless surveillance, dozens of double-crosses, psychotic killers on his tail, lots of de rigeur flashbacks, and--on the bright side--beguiling Anne Bancroft decked out the latest fifties fashions. One of the last true noirs of the original era, this often-overlooked gem features terrific direction from Tourneur (Out of the Past) and great work by cinematographer Burnett Guffey. Presented in a 35mm archival print courtesy of Sony Pictures
Cast: Aldo Ray (James Vanning/Art Rayburn), Anne Bancroft (Marie Gardner), Brian Keith (John), Jocelyn Brando (Laura Fraser), James Gregory (Ben Fraser), Frank Albertson (Dr. Edward Gurston), Rudy Bond (Red)

9:10
THE BURGLAR
(1957, Columbia [Sony]. 90 min.)

Scr. David Goodis, from his novel. Dir. Paul Wendkos

Veteran safecracker Nat Harbin (Dan Duryea) has enough on hands, trying to get away clean with the spoils from a daring B&E--without having to shield his "ward," nubile, voluptuous Gladden (Jayne Mansfield) from his rough and randy crew. The psychosexual dynamics of Goodis' tale grows steadily darker as Nat tries to outrun his destiny. Featuring noir favorite Duryea at his world-weary best, and a surprising turn from Martha (The Big Sleep) Vickers. The guilt-laden caper is given a stylized visual workout by whiz-kid director Wendkos. One of the few films of the late '50s to capture the fatalistic feel of classic noir. Presented in 35mm courtesy of Sony Pictures
Cast: Dan Duryea (Nat Harbin), Jayne Mansfield (Gladden), Martha Vickers (Della), Peter Capell (Baylock), Mickey Shaughnessy (Dohmer), Wendell Phillips (Police Capt.), Stewart Bradley (Charlie), Richard Emery (Young Nat), Andrea McLaughlin (young Gladden)