FNF prez Eddie Muller responds to film noir fan questions fielded by the Foundation's Director of Communications Anne Hockens. In this episode, we discuss our NOIR CITY 21 festival, ”Monsieur Spade”, Edith Head and other sartorial subjects, John Garfield, “Fat City”, and more. We wind up with a discussion of which film noir doctor we would go to if ill. Sorry, folks, not cats in this episode.
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This week’s questions:
1. What do you think of the new series “Monsieur Spade”?
—Kevin, Salt Lake City, UT & Michael, Post Falls, Idaho
2. Have you ever considered airing the 1966 film, "Seconds" starring Rock Hudson? Jan
3. Eddie, I recently stumbled on a video of you interviewing Coleen Gray, primarily about “Kansas City Confidential” and was stunned to see Eddie Muller with a goatee. Could you give us a brief history of the facial hair choices you’ve made in your life? I feel like you never see beards or goatees in noir. Maybe just the occasional mustache. Can you think of any examples of goatees or beards in films noir?
—Greg in Richmond, VA
4. Can you recommend books on men’s style in film noir movies? I have perception that Kimberly Truhler’s book “Film Noir Style” is mostly focused on women’s style but correct me if I’m wrong.
—Iisakki
5. Watching “Rope Of Sand” recently, I noticed costume designer Edith Head's name in the credits. Her name is familiar, but I will confess I don't know much about her. Please share whatever comes to mind when you hear her name.
Who are some of your sartorial favorites from the world of noir?
I read somewhere years ago that some actors in B films wore their own clothes. Any truth to this?
—Joe from Suffolk County
6. Who was the first female director of a film noir? The common answer to this question has been Ida Lupino with “The Hitchhiker” (1953). However, If film noir had existed internationally since about 1940, I have a suggestion: Bodil Ipsen, the Danish director. Or do you have another opinion?
—Janne, Stockholm, Sweden
7. John Garfield is arguably the foremost pioneer of method acting in Hollywood. What other method actors come to mind for you in the noir era, and what are your thoughts on their style versus Garfield's?
—Neil
8. I'm wondering if Anne could walk us through the process of compiling a monthly list of noir films for FNF's TV listings and what decisions go into which ones to include and which ones to leave out. Any specific criteria you're going with? Also, is there any possibility you might expand this service for other TV channels?
—Brett, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
9. I’m interested in your opinions on a boxing movie that I’ve always loved. What do both of you think of John Huston’s 1972 “Fat City”?
—Craig from Timbuktu (Carlsbad)
10. Suppose, just suppose, you found yourself in Noir Alley and feeling under the weather. Which of these doctors from noir or noir-adjacent movies would you choose?
Dr. Walter Coley (Houseley Stevenson) from “Dark Passage”
Sanada (Takashi Shimura) from “Drunken Angel”
Dr. Hunter (Sam Jaffe) from “Rope of Sand”
Poe (Strother Martin) from “Hard Times”?
For purposes of this exercise, assume they all accept your insurance.
—Joe from Suffolk County NY
