Événement

NOIR CITY 17: 1959: THE CRIMSON KIMONO / ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW

Saturday, February 2: 1959

1:30
THE CRIMSON KIMONO
(1959, Columbia [Sony Pictures]. 82 min.)

Scr. & Dir. Samuel Fuller

As the classic noir era waned, director Sam Fuller came out blasting with the first of a series of wildly original crime thrillers. This one starts as a pulpy policier, with a pair of L.A. cops (Glenn Corbett, James Shigeta) hunting the killer of a stripper. It twists into a heated romantic triangle with both cops falling for a key witness (Victoria Shaw). The rare film to explore the nisei experience in America, featuring a compassionate take on the Japanese cop's torment at falling for a Caucasian. As usual, Fuller's kinetic inspirations sometimes collide with stilted exposition--watch out for flying shrapnel. Presented in 35mm courtesy of Sony Pictures
Cast: James Shigeta (Joe Kojaku), Glenn Corbett (Charlie Bancroft), Victoria Shaw (Christine Downs), Anne Lee (Mac), Paul Dubov (Casale)

3:15
ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW
(1959, United Artists/MGM [Park Circus]. 96 min.)

Scr. Abraham Polonsky. Dir. Robert Wise

One of the tersest, tensest heist movies ever made is also an angry (and still timely) riff on race relations in America, predating the civil rights movement of the 1960s. A trio of desperate men (Harry Belafonte, Robert Ryan, and Ed Begley) plan a last-ditch bank robbery in upstate New York. But Ryan's bigotry and Belafonte's take-no-prisoners pride keep the tension simmering--leading to an explosive climax. Wise's direction is crisp and cutting edge--a huge inspiration to French noir master Jean-Pierre Melville. Gloria Grahame and Shelley Winters offer kinky and melancholy support, respectively. A late-cycle film noir masterpiece, highlighted by an inventive score from John Lewis and the Modern Jazz Quartet. Presented digitally
Cast: Harry Belafonte (Johnny Ingram), Robert Ryan (Earle Slater), Shelley Winters (Lorry), Ed Begley (Dave Burke), Gloria Grahame (Helen), Will Kuluva (Bacco), Kim Hamilton (Ruth Ingram), Richard Bright (Coco), Mae Barnes (Annie), Wayne Rogers (soldier in bar)