I got the Criterion Collection version of this one, and as of this posting I've only been through disc one, but that already means watching the movie twice, the second time with a very knowledgeable overvoice giving all kinds of backstory. That's what I love about the Movie Madness collection: how much behind the scenes stuff is stored. This latest borrowing extends my noirs kick.
The director of the film was a little like the anti-hero, a guy on the run, in the director's case from the fascists using "anti-communism" as a rallying cry for the mob. The mob controlled Hollywood and people like the director, into more American values, had to leave the country to find work. Unlike the movie’s loser dreamer schemer, Jules Dassin managed to have a pretty successful career in the rear view mirror, despite those ax-grinding Nixonians.
People in 1950 didn't really like the movie when it first came out because it painted too raw of a picture. Instead of capitalism meaning "a few bad apples" (the justice force will protect us) it seemed to mean "bad apples all the way down" (everyone purely selfish and desperate).
Of course no one talks about "capitalism" in the movie, just they make London the backdrop, and we're supposed to make the connection to "a rotten system" on our own. By whatever name, right?
There’s a lot more to the backstories and I haven’t even watched disc two yet. If you’re into film studies, see if you can find a source as good as Movie Madness. What podcasters talk noirs? Anything on NPR?
Movie Madness is moving to Sandy Boulevard by the way. The new storefront advertises that’s what’s happening. It’ll be across the street from its parent, the Hollywood Theater. For me, it’ll be a little further to drive, or I’ll do what I did today and take the 75. I was headed to the nearby sushi train.
