Official Film Noir on Blu-ray Thread

[cropduster]

I recently watched for the first time a film noir from 1944 directed by Robert Siodmak called Phantom Lady. It's about a man named Jack Marlow, who is accused of murdering his wife, and Marlowe's secretary Carol, played by the stunning Ella Raines, who goes on a quest to prove Marlow's alibi of being with a "phantom lady" at the time of his wife's murder.

I really enjoyed this film. This was the first film I've watched with Ella Raines and she was amazing to watch in this. She kinda reminds me of Gene Tierney. Her character starts out as a normal secretary but after her boss(who she is in love with) is set to be executed for a crime he didn't commit, she becomes a force willing to do whatever it takes to save the man she loves. Ella Raines pretty much carries the whole film and is captivating throughout the entire film. There's also a great wtf moment with her and Elisha Cook Jr., who plays a jazz drummer in the film.

Is there any chance of Universal or any label who deals with Universal releasing a blu-ray of this? I think this is an above average noir with a stellar performance by the beautiful Ella Raines that deserves a blu-ray release.

[Gerby]

^^I'm a big fan of Ella Raines myself...i collect her movies, she was never prettier than in Preston Sturges' Hail The Conquering Hero (1944). She also shows up in Jules Dassin's Brute Force (1947) & has also starred in some really great under the radar noirs such as The Suspect (1944), The Web (1947) & my personal favourite Impact (1949).

[senseabove]

Originally Posted by cropduster

I recently watched for the first time a film noir from 1944 directed by Robert Siodmak called Phantom Lady. It's about a man named Jack Marlow, who is accused of murdering his wife, and Marlowe's secretary Carol, played by the stunning Ella Raines, who goes on a quest to prove Marlow's alibi of being with a "phantom lady" at the time of his wife's murder.

I really enjoyed this film. This was the first film I've watched with Ella Raines and she was amazing to watch in this. She kinda reminds me of Gene Tierney. Her character starts out as a normal secretary but after her boss(who she is in love with) is set to be executed for a crime he didn't commit, she becomes a force willing to do whatever it takes to save the man she loves. Ella Raines pretty much carries the whole film and is captivating throughout the entire film. There's also a great wtf moment with her and Elisha Cook Jr., who plays a jazz drummer in the film.

Is there any chance of Universal or any label who deals with Universal releasing a blu-ray of this? I think this is an above average noir with a stellar performance by the beautiful Ella Raines that deserves a blu-ray release.

Saw this a few months ago and I absolutely loved this movie. Can't wait for someone to release it!

[skipkassidy]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I got the UK Arrow Four Film Noir Classics Box Set

I'm sure it has been discussed before but...

It seems to be sold out on the Arrow UK Site but Amazon UK still has copies.

The discs are all Region Free

a pic of the reverse cover art

Attachment 191724

Powell, how can you tell it is Region Free? Amazon UK lists it as Region: Region B/2.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by skipkassidy

Powell, how can you tell it is Region Free? Amazon UK lists it as Region: Region B/2.

Amazon UK lists everything as Region B/2 by default, so never trust that. The collection was confirmed by DVD Beaver, and others to be region free, and I'm sure. Powell also confirmed himself before posting that.

Also make sure to check the database entries here, which are more reliable than Amazon, or other retailers. This release was confirmed in the database by noirjunkie to be region free:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Four-...lu-ray/187370/

[jayembee]

There's also the fact that the bottom edge of the slipcase actually shows all three region icons.

[kaseaver]

Originally Posted by Pecker

Are you saying Key Largo isn't noir?

I always think, a film may have a 'happy' ending, with the couple sailing off into the sunset, but what might make it noir is the effect of the events of the narrative on the individuals. They may be together, but changed/scarred.

I would say Key Largo is film noir, probably only because so many people do.
It's not one of my favorites by a long shot probably because of the absence of markers of film noir - no femme fatale, no anti-hero, the happy ending, etc. Not that it's the final authority, but imdb doesnt call it a film noir. It strikes me more as a gangster film with the Bogart/Bacall pairing thrown in.

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by cropduster

I recently watched for the first time a film noir from 1944 directed by Robert Siodmak called Phantom Lady. It's about a man named Jack Marlow, who is accused of murdering his wife, and Marlowe's secretary Carol, played by the stunning Ella Raines, who goes on a quest to prove Marlow's alibi of being with a "phantom lady" at the time of his wife's murder.

I really enjoyed this film. This was the first film I've watched with Ella Raines and she was amazing to watch in this. She kinda reminds me of Gene Tierney. Her character starts out as a normal secretary but after her boss(who she is in love with) is set to be executed for a crime he didn't commit, she becomes a force willing to do whatever it takes to save the man she loves. Ella Raines pretty much carries the whole film and is captivating throughout the entire film. There's also a great wtf moment with her and Elisha Cook Jr., who plays a jazz drummer in the film.

Is there any chance of Universal or any label who deals with Universal releasing a blu-ray of this? I think this is an above average noir with a stellar performance by the beautiful Ella Raines that deserves a blu-ray release.

Universal did a restoration on it not that long ago, so it should only be a matter of time.
I can see Criterion doing this one somewhere down the road.

[Jobla]

Great photo! Ella Raines taught some general film classes at the University of Washington-unfortunately, not when I was a student there.

[MifuneFan]

Kino has just announced a slate of thrillers for April 10th, including the neo-noir Bad Company (1995).

Bad Company (1995) with optional English subtitles
• Audio Commentary by Director Damian Harris
• Animated Stills & Behind-the-Scenes Image Gallery
• Original Theatrical Trailer
Blu-ray $24.95 | DVD $14.95

Bad Company Trailer - YouTube

[SeanJoyce]

Returned T-Men and Walked by Night to Amazon, pre-ordered the Alton set. Great deal.

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

Returned T-Men and Walked by Night to Amazon, pre-ordered the Alton set. Great deal.

The Alton set is going to be a bare-bones release with all titles on one disc. If you want any of the special features, you'll need the individual releases.

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

The Alton set is going to be a bare-bones release with all titles on one disc. If you want any of the special features, you'll need the individual releases.

I'm aware of that; while I'll miss the booklets, the money/shelf savings took priority.

[MalteseCrow]

A question for the forum: what's the one film noir you feel needs an HD upgrade ASAP? This can either be a personal favorite that you just want to see get the high def treatment or a classic of the genre that you can't believe isn't available on Blu-Ray yet.

I'll go first: Nightmare Alley.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by MalteseCrow

A question for the forum: what's the one film noir you feel needs an HD upgrade ASAP? This can either be a personal favorite that you just want to see get the high def treatment or a classic of the genre that you can't believe isn't available on Blu-Ray yet.

I'll go first: Nightmare Alley.

A Blu-ray release of Detour would make my year.

[CBHampson]

Originally Posted by MalteseCrow

A question for the forum: what's the one film noir you feel needs an HD upgrade ASAP? This can either be a personal favorite that you just want to see get the high def treatment or a classic of the genre that you can't believe isn't available on Blu-Ray yet.

I'll go first: Nightmare Alley.

Hmmmm....

Gun Crazy or Side Street probably.

[senseabove]

Gun Crazy is the one I haven't seen that I'd most like to see released.
Phantom Lady is the one I have seen that I'd most like to see released.

[BlueRagtop]

Originally Posted by MalteseCrow

A question for the forum: what's the one film noir you feel needs an HD upgrade ASAP? This can either be a personal favorite that you just want to see get the high def treatment or a classic of the genre that you can't believe isn't available on Blu-Ray yet.

The Sniper (1952)

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by MalteseCrow

A question for the forum: what's the one film noir you feel needs an HD upgrade ASAP? This can either be a personal favorite that you just want to see get the high def treatment or a classic of the genre that you can't believe isn't available on Blu-Ray yet.

I'll vote for The Narrow Margin (1952). It seems like it has a decent chance of eventually getting released through WAC.

[EVERYONE LIES]

Originally Posted by MalteseCrow

A question for the forum: what's the one film noir you feel needs an HD upgrade ASAP? This can either be a personal favorite that you just want to see get the high def treatment or a classic of the genre that you can't believe isn't available on Blu-Ray yet.

I'll go first: Nightmare Alley.

D.O.A. is the best noir without a release by far