Hard to find noir on TCM in April, 2009

[king2clio]

I note that the following noir films, which aren't available on DVD, are showing on TCM this month (April, 2009):
Danger Signal, April 13, 7:30 a.m.
So Long at the Fair, April 17, 10 p.m.
Naked Street, April 21, 9 a.m.
The High Wall, April 23, 8 a.m.
Rage in Heaven, April 23, 10 a.m.

The only one that I've managed to already see is "So Long at the Fair," about a young woman whose brother inexplicably disappears without a trace at the Paris Exposition--and I recommend it.

[beeswax]

Thanks for the alert, k2c! I'll be house/cat-sitting for someone who has TCM and a DVR during part of this. Yay!

[The Professor]

Hey k2c, thanks for all of the great work you've been doing lately! Can we assume you finally broke down and got cable? If so, enjoy your films this month! You are starting to cut into the goodies I'll be able to send you whenever you give me that list!

The Naked Street is another film that I wrote about on my blog. When you guys watch that one, I'd love to have a conversation about it! I'm also a big fan of The High Wall, it's one of the better psychological noirs. I'll have to check out "So Long at the Fair" -- it's the one I've yet to see. Danger Signal is quite good for a programmer (if my memory is correct) -- the thing that really stands out to me is the opening sequence, which is seedy as hell.

One last thing: Bees, we need to get this wonderful woman an avatar -- any ideas?

[beeswax]

I'm such a dope that I missed Rage in Heaven and The High Wall, both of which I'd intended to see in my house-sitting stay. DRAT!

(I did get to see the "pre-noir" tale of infidelity and murder The Kiss Before the Mirror (1933) and Sabotage Agent (1943), starring darling Robert Donat. Neither is stellar but both were fun and worth seeing.)

Anyway, I've been thinking about The Prof's cry for a king2clio avatar.... and feeling a bit silly about it, since I know my computer skillz and "design eye" are strictly bush league compared to Da Professah.

[beeswax]

So, I know what it's like to want to maintain a bit of mystery... "somebody else" would have to size these...

[beeswax]

Like the two above, this may not look good in the teeny size... but I like the composition and the claustrophobia. Well, face it. It has layers on layers.

[beeswax]

More seriously, how about one of the most classic noir dames who ever damed? Brigid O'Shaughnessy, natch.

[beeswax]

A lovely opening credit design?

[beeswax]

Alluring Ava? Enhanced by this noir-babe hat.

[The Professor]

I vote for any of those!

By the way, I recorded The High Wall -- I'm happy to send you a copy.

I just bought about 20 new noir films from a woman in the UK, I'm gradually working my way through, and adding reviews slowly to my noir blog as I do. I'm like a kid in a candy shop these days. I think by the end of the summer, I can finally complete what I call "The big 260" -- That will be a party-worthy day.

I also saw The Secret Beyond the Door and Sleep, My Love via Facets (on region 2) I've since converted them to region 1.

[beeswax]

Ooh. I'm interested to hear what you thought of Secret Beyond... I'll take a peek at your blog.

And envious as hell about Sleep, My Love. I'm a tad Sirk-mad. Also, one of my old live Bobby Short records has him giving a shout-out to "Miss Hazel Brooks!" as he launches into one of the most deliciously creepy blues numbers I've ever heard. I don't remember now if she actually wrote it, or introduced him to it. Anyway, I always perk up a bit when I see her name in credits. (I need to get one of those vinyl-to-digital turntable thingies so I can refresh my memory on some of this stuff collecting dust in my closets.)

My house-sitting gig is set to revive in June, so if the dvr owner hasn't erased my recording of The High Wall I'll be sitting pretty. If it's zapped, I may come cryin' to you, sir. Thanks for the offer.

[beeswax]

How about a Lucia Harper avatar?