The point of the audience filling in what has just happened in a scene (the power of suggestion, I think you put it) is exactly how Lovecraft is so effective at horror: it’s what he doesn’t show, what he doesn’t say, that’s so terrifying. “The horror of the unknown” as he would describe it, and it’s awesome to see that this aspect is used in noir as well. Great video. I’ll be adding this film to my queue as well.
Wasnt expecting Lovecraft to show up in the Noirchives discussions, but good point, the conveyance of information is ultimately to the viewer filling in the blanks in both cases.
Just discovered your channel via Crowder, and DUDE, loving every bit of it - social commentary, game reviews, even the DS9 episodes (BEST star trek series!). Couldn't hit the sub button fast enough!
Oh man, that part about the gay references that were understood but left unspoken. I wish more movies could do that with a ton of things. Makes it interesting.
I miss the power of suggestion. They dont let us do that anymore these days, too busy banking on shock value and they think that the audience is dumb (well some are dumb)
The simple philosophy of show, describe, dont tell. Sad how too many films and shows of today tell obviously rather than show, describe and keep the audience engaged and thinking.
Top notch presentation. I enjoy everything you do, but this is a video I feel comfortable recommending to my own parents to watch. A+ tone and inflection and breakdown of the movie. Your series brings these movies to my attention which I would never have watched without.
This is one of my favorite series of yours, you really clear up a lot of misconceptions about film noir, can't thank you much enough! I hope you make one on the night of the hunter
God I love these movies, they're so refreshing. Every character is either a scumbag, murderer, corrupt, sleazy, whore, thief or some misfit who doesn't belong.
Good timing as Arrow Academy is about to release The Big Combo on standalone blu-ray in the UK later this month (it was previously only available in a limited box set). Great work as per usual, Razör.
I bought this box set of Noir years ago (about 13 years, now that I think about it, fucking hell). One was about a guy who wants to impress this glamourous woman he's having an affair with and gets deeper and deeper in over his head, incredible stuff. I can't remember the name, which is wazzing me off. He had a Mexican neighbour who kept asking him inconvenient questions in all innocence, just to ramp up his paranoia.
Mr. Brown is one of the best antagonists, not just in Film Noir, but in Cinema. Richard Conte outdid himself in that role. And Cornel Wilde was the perfect match for him. Thanks for calling out the shitty revisionism regarding the two "homosexual" characters. I've watched this movie three times and never once did it imply they were intimate with one another, so when I read the very first inference by scumbag journalists of such it left me baffled. By the way Razor, what do you think of Call Northside 777? I think it's a very underrated Film Noir. Very moody and suspenseful, especially towards the end. And while the protagonist isn't quite the Knight in dirty armor, he starts out with rather selfish intentions and evolves from that into someone who genuinely wants to undo an injustice. It's one of the best Film Noir I've seen. P.S. This was hands down your best noirchive video. Worth all the wait.
My favorite part of that toture scene is when they cut back to Mr. Brown and Mingo and all you can see of Mingo is his grin and the glint in his eyes. Like a demon.
There is one line from this movie that stays with me forever, "I'd rather be insane and alive, than sane and dead". This quote I feel is very true for the time we're living in now. "You're sick all right, Alicia. Sick with fright. Now you're in our custody, you have nothing more to fear. You know that, because you're perfectly sane." The irony. Wouldn't be a stretch to say the society we're living in now is an asylum.
Superb Razor - this is just about one of the most knowledgeable and well versed cinema summations I have ever seen. Bravo Sir - you are a young man of many insights. And as a London-ish lad in the 80s I saw many of the bands we all love too. Keep it up - I enjoy all your stuff - am a gamer too :)
loved the film, your recommendation is much appreciated! Hoping to see one on the blue dahlia at some point...anyway, I hope you keep churning these out, they are by far my favorite part of your channel. Keep it up!
The commentary on the reality of homosexual presentation and reality is 100% right on the nose! So nice, for a change, to hear some intelligent commentary on the matter. Almost non-existent these days. Americans might check out Gung Ho(1943) for a refresher course on what true patriotism means.
It was early. Too early. The sun dazzled my eyes as I looked at the phone. Something had woken me from the drunken stupor brought on with the help of Captain Morgan last night. That's when I came fully awake. The phone! I sprang up bolt upright as I stared incredulously at the notification: Razorfist had just uploaded. *dramatic music*
You may want to spring for the Blu-Ray. Or find a link to the widescreen version (I think there's one here on UA-cam) As I say in the video: It's one of the few Classic Film Noir that was originally shot in widescreen, so you actually get to see more of that gorgeous John Alton cinematography.
I'm trying to write my own noir-style story, and I'm using these videos as my guide on how to construct it. Hope we see more Film Noirchives someday, Razor. Don't get captured.
Hey Razor thanks for making me look up a musical insturment i always wondered how some of the sounds in this movie were done theremin is pretty interesting.. though i can definitely see how it would be a strange partner to a speed guitar though a key guitar hmm that could do nicely.
Film Noir, to me, was always about people, some more or less deserving than others, trying their damndest to crawl out of the *dark,* claustrophobic mire before the swine try to haul them back in. Deeply appreciate introducing this genre to a new generation, amigo!
Please, please, do an episode on Sunset Boulevard. A great noir movie and a savage attack on celebrity and fame, all the more remarkable for when it was made. Also, William Holden gives a perfect noir performance.
I wonder if we'll get a Film Noirchive on Daredevil at some point. I remember the Noir influences being mentioned briefly in Razor's review of season one, but a more in-depth exploration would be interesting.
I weep for modern cinema. Woe to the zoomers they will never know that 90 years ago giants of art walked the earth. These masterpieces will fade from public thought for no better reason than "I don't watch black and white movies".
It may not be much, but I was born in 2000, and Razor is making me appreciate these kinds of films. I will watch them when I have the time, I assure you.
@@legendarymarston9174 Good on you son. It’s nice to know that some are willing to cross the gap and enjoy art for the sake of art. I’m not saying everything was better in the past, but it was unique. Why would a person want to limit themselves from experiencing something that was wholly its own.
@@urchinblues7928 I may not have an eye for art but I want learn more from our past, ever since I've found Razor, I have been learning a lot of stuff I never even knew about. So don't worry, it might take me a lot of time but I will learn as much as I can.
Awesome review. This movie had the same atmospheric feel as The Sweet Smell of Success only with more cops and Gangsters. Richard Conte was amazing in this....as he was in almost everything. Request time - How about a John Garfield review. Either Force of Evil or Nobody Lives Forever. Thanks Raz0rfist . An every album Ronnie James Dio metal mythos would be great too. 🤟🏻🤟🏻
I thought the main villain looked familiar. Apparently he actually played Barzini in The Godfather. When I first saw it I thought he didn’t look like much of a mobster, but no, he’s one of the og mob actors. He’s done great from what I’ve seen of the big combo.
Excellent review on a perfect example of noir, this film is one of my favorites; John Alton’s cinematography is amazing, it is a shame he only worked on independent films, but that was his choice. Another great example of “Jazzy” score in noir is the great Robert Siodmak’s Phantom Lady. “ The Killers” has always been the one I find to be my favorite, speaking of Siodmak, one of the best opening shots in noir Again thank you for posted this, watched it several times; I am confused why the Blu ray of this film has no bonus features? I was expecting at the very least a audio commentary track; very disappointing
John Alton's influence can be seen even in shows like The Rifleman. His disciple Joseph H. Lewis worked on this series and you can see his work in the cinematography. It's like looking at a western noir.
@@elizabethjordan5755 yes very familiar with his later work, just wondering how much greater some of the classic noir’s would have looked if he worked on them
3:18 oh damn, is Mingo a replicant?! Joking aside and no pun intended. Seeing the light reflecting from his shadowed eyes like that was very eye-catching.
Fun film fact: The torture scene was 100% real but rather than the volume being too high for his ears he was just forced to listen to jazz which fucking sucks.
I was just going to say you talk exactly like them, in that "dizzying dialogue." Lol. Not sure if its the rhythmn or the words or both. Its cool tho. Yeah, he went offstage to get a glass of water. He was thirsty. =)
Was going through your list here and have seen just about all of them except this one. Found a stream for it, settled in, and when I saw John Alton's name come up, I knew I was in for something special. Thanks for turning me on to this classic noir that I somehow overlooked; excellent visual essay as well. Any chance of your covering "Blast of Silence", this is one of my personal favorites that is often overlooked.
I love how calm Razorfist talks in these. Stark contrast from the rant videos.
Christian Holbrook except when he starts yammering on about sjws, he get so angry
slipperysloop Further proof that SJW's ruin everything
As if we needed more.
Agreed. Soothing.
Richard Conte was a great and underated actor. He played Barzini in the Godfather. The Big Combo was top notch Noir.
Conte had a fantastic range. He can play real scumbags, loathsome. He could also be surprisingly sympathetic.
The point of the audience filling in what has just happened in a scene (the power of suggestion, I think you put it) is exactly how Lovecraft is so effective at horror: it’s what he doesn’t show, what he doesn’t say, that’s so terrifying. “The horror of the unknown” as he would describe it, and it’s awesome to see that this aspect is used in noir as well. Great video. I’ll be adding this film to my queue as well.
Wasnt expecting Lovecraft to show up in the Noirchives discussions, but good point, the conveyance of information is ultimately to the viewer filling in the blanks in both cases.
@@tuskinradar8688 it falls into pulp which is one of the origins of noir
Just discovered your channel via Crowder, and DUDE, loving every bit of it - social commentary, game reviews, even the DS9 episodes (BEST star trek series!). Couldn't hit the sub button fast enough!
enjoy your stay
Used to a raging Razor. This laid-back sounding Razor was a surprise, but a welcome one.
We shall follow your career with great interest.
Noir films really highlight how far Hollywood film quality has fallen.
Micah doesn't help that the average movie goer is about as sharp as a turd. Too much entertainment has dulled our senses
DEAR GODS razorfist, your voice here is ....so...god....damn SMOOTH, it's like I'm listening to someone from a film Noir talking about them.
Let's go, hoodlum.
Lt. Diamond must've been dying to say to Mr. Brown...even had a subtle grin on him.
Whooodlum
I never was a big fan of a film noir, but that has changed ever since I’ve started watching this little series. I look forward to more.
Oh man, that part about the gay references that were understood but left unspoken. I wish more movies could do that with a ton of things. Makes it interesting.
Awesome, a new film noirarchives video. When it comes to noir, Razorfist knows his stuff.
Richard Conte, the hidden main antagonist of The Godfather: “after all, we are not communists.”
Definitely my favourite noir you've reviewed so far. This is one of those movies I can watch again and again without getting bored.
I miss the power of suggestion. They dont let us do that anymore these days, too busy banking on shock value and they think that the audience is dumb (well some are dumb)
The simple philosophy of show, describe, dont tell. Sad how too many films and shows of today tell obviously rather than show, describe and keep the audience engaged and thinking.
Top notch presentation. I enjoy everything you do, but this is a video I feel comfortable recommending to my own parents to watch. A+ tone and inflection and breakdown of the movie. Your series brings these movies to my attention which I would never have watched without.
Man! I love this series! keep it up! Some suggestions: The Narrow Margin, Crime Wave, The Killing, Night and the City
Brutal movie. Great work by Joe Lewis.
One of my favourite films. Great dialogue, one of the best looking films ever.
"I think darkness is more beautiful than that light."
This is one of my favorite series of yours, you really clear up a lot of misconceptions about film noir, can't thank you much enough! I hope you make one on the night of the hunter
"It's a classic" and "It's down my alley" are up there with "So I can watch Razor vids spoiler safe" as far as motivations to see a movie go.
Man, even a decade before his most famous days as an actor, Lee Van Cleef still cuts a very imposing figure on screen.
God I love these movies, they're so refreshing. Every character is either a scumbag, murderer, corrupt, sleazy, whore, thief or some misfit who doesn't belong.
Excellent flick. I can't watch movies newer than the '70s. Another good one to review is The Lineup (1958) w/ Eli Wallach.
Lee and Eli? I wonder if Clint made a noir lol. I guess the closest is Dirty Harry.
Excellent job. Looking forward to more on your channel.
I was starting to miss these
they are really interesting to watch, even though i don't watch these movies.
Who knows where Richard Conte went in that closeup?
THE SHADOW KNOWS!
Well done. I'm a Film Noir fan, and came across this little jewel years ago. Beats most movies today all hollow.
I could listen to Frank Miller talk about Noir for hours. Dude gets Noir.
Good timing as Arrow Academy is about to release The Big Combo on standalone blu-ray in the UK later this month (it was previously only available in a limited box set). Great work as per usual, Razör.
Been waiting for this one. My all time favorite Film Noir, hands down!
Love this movie and love your take on it. Wish you would do more noir video essays.
This is my favorite Razorfist series and again you do an amazing job. Keep up the good work razor
Job well done. Keep up the outstanding work.
Also, may I suggest Rudolph Mate's Union Station as well as Sam Fuller's Pickup On South Street as seminal noirs? You won't be disappointed.
Watching these films made me realize just how shit todays movies are.
Good suggestions, I hope he also considers doing Out of the Past.
I bought this box set of Noir years ago (about 13 years, now that I think about it, fucking hell). One was about a guy who wants to impress this glamourous woman he's having an affair with and gets deeper and deeper in over his head, incredible stuff. I can't remember the name, which is wazzing me off. He had a Mexican neighbour who kept asking him inconvenient questions in all innocence, just to ramp up his paranoia.
Fantastic! Was looking forward to a new Film Noirchives. And such a amazing film.
Mr. Brown is one of the best antagonists, not just in Film Noir, but in Cinema. Richard Conte outdid himself in that role. And Cornel Wilde was the perfect match for him.
Thanks for calling out the shitty revisionism regarding the two "homosexual" characters. I've watched this movie three times and never once did it imply they were intimate with one another, so when I read the very first inference by scumbag journalists of such it left me baffled.
By the way Razor, what do you think of Call Northside 777? I think it's a very underrated Film Noir. Very moody and suspenseful, especially towards the end. And while the protagonist isn't quite the Knight in dirty armor, he starts out with rather selfish intentions and evolves from that into someone who genuinely wants to undo an injustice. It's one of the best Film Noir I've seen.
P.S. This was hands down your best noirchive video. Worth all the wait.
My favorite part of that toture scene is when they cut back to Mr. Brown and Mingo and all you can see of Mingo is his grin and the glint in his eyes. Like a demon.
My first film noir, thanks to your recommendations. Lemmy bless this channel, and Amazon Prime.
The power of suggestion is real and it's definitely what modern films are missing
There is one line from this movie that stays with me forever, "I'd rather be insane and alive, than sane and dead". This quote I feel is very true for the time we're living in now.
"You're sick all right, Alicia. Sick with fright. Now you're in our custody, you have nothing more to fear. You know that, because you're perfectly sane."
The irony. Wouldn't be a stretch to say the society we're living in now is an asylum.
Absolutely LOVE this series 👍👍
Superb Razor - this is just about one of the most knowledgeable and well versed cinema summations I have ever seen. Bravo Sir - you are a young man of many insights. And as a London-ish lad in the 80s I saw many of the bands we all love too. Keep it up - I enjoy all your stuff - am a gamer too :)
You should do more Noir! These have been a treat. Thank you!
Thanks Razorfist!!! Was patiently awaiting the next episode of Film Noirchives!
And now patiently awaiting the next Razorfist Cinema!
loved the film, your recommendation is much appreciated! Hoping to see one on the blue dahlia at some point...anyway, I hope you keep churning these out, they are by far my favorite part of your channel. Keep it up!
The commentary on the reality of homosexual presentation and reality is 100% right on the nose! So nice, for a change, to hear some intelligent commentary on the matter. Almost non-existent these days. Americans might check out Gung Ho(1943) for a refresher course on what true patriotism means.
It was early. Too early. The sun dazzled my eyes as I looked at the phone. Something had woken me from the drunken stupor brought on with the help of Captain Morgan last night.
That's when I came fully awake. The phone! I sprang up bolt upright as I stared incredulously at the notification:
Razorfist had just uploaded.
*dramatic music*
Wizard hell yeah boi
Hey didn't you used to have some Fallout gameplay on your channel?
Wizard Aw, I watched some of it, I liked it. I thought it needed more commentary, but overall pretty good!
As a fan of film noir, I applaud your in-depth and respectful reviews of the genre. Carry on, please.
Fantastic analysis, made me appreciate so many aspects of this film I (unbelievably) overlooked. Please make one about Kiss Me Deadly
Been waiting ages for another installment! thank you Razor and T-Boogie!
I'd love to see you do, Leave Her to Heaven, the first noir in color. Coincidentally, that also stars Cornel Wilde.
the big combo makes me hungry,I want a large order of fries and a big Mac to go with this film.
Nothing short of stellar in terms of quality and presentation, as usual Razor.
I just found out this is on prime so I'm going to watch it first, but I look forward to viewing this immediately afterward
You may want to spring for the Blu-Ray. Or find a link to the widescreen version (I think there's one here on UA-cam)
As I say in the video: It's one of the few Classic Film Noir that was originally shot in widescreen, so you actually get to see more of that gorgeous John Alton cinematography.
The Rageaholic
Glad I had something to do before I could fire it up then, I'll hunt it down on UA-cam, thanks for the tip and godspeed Razör
I'm trying to write my own noir-style story, and I'm using these videos as my guide on how to construct it. Hope we see more Film Noirchives someday, Razor. Don't get captured.
Hey Razor thanks for making me look up a musical insturment i always wondered how some of the sounds in this movie were done theremin is pretty interesting.. though i can definitely see how it would be a strange partner to a speed guitar though a key guitar hmm that could do nicely.
Film Noir, to me, was always about people, some more or less deserving than others, trying their damndest to crawl out of the *dark,* claustrophobic mire before the swine try to haul them back in.
Deeply appreciate introducing this genre to a new generation, amigo!
I was actually thinking the other day about how we hadn't seen one of these for a while
Please, please, do an episode on Sunset Boulevard. A great noir movie and a savage attack on celebrity and fame, all the more remarkable for when it was made. Also, William Holden gives a perfect noir performance.
Please make more of these reviews/retrospectives!!
Looks like I've got a movie to watch this weekend. Good shit as always Mr. Fist!
what did you think of it?
@@ThatGingerCuntFromTerminator2 It was really good. I can see why it's Razor's favorite noir.
Hell yeah! Film Noirchives is back!
I wonder if we'll get a Film Noirchive on Daredevil at some point. I remember the Noir influences being mentioned briefly in Razor's review of season one, but a more in-depth exploration would be interesting.
Love the Noir reviews. Glad to see OTA movies network shows these movies.
Bought this one on your rec, man. Good stuff, keep up the great work.
I weep for modern cinema. Woe to the zoomers they will never know that 90 years ago giants of art walked the earth. These masterpieces will fade from public thought for no better reason than "I don't watch black and white movies".
It may not be much, but I was born in 2000, and Razor is making me appreciate these kinds of films. I will watch them when I have the time, I assure you.
@@legendarymarston9174 Good on you son. It’s nice to know that some are willing to cross the gap and enjoy art for the sake of art. I’m not saying everything was better in the past, but it was unique. Why would a person want to limit themselves from experiencing something that was wholly its own.
@@urchinblues7928 I may not have an eye for art but I want learn more from our past, ever since I've found Razor, I have been learning a lot of stuff I never even knew about.
So don't worry, it might take me a lot of time but I will learn as much as I can.
It is only under pressure that diamonds are forged.
Just saw it, it is exceptional with the two mugging the show from corner wilde being fanty and mingo.
Thank you for this series, keep em coming
WELL DONE RAZORFIST ...
WELL DONE INDEED
Miss these!
Spot on analysis. Beautifully done. Suggest those interested in Joe Lewis's work seek out "Gun Crazy".
Fanty and Mingo. Any reason Whedon used these same character names in Serenity beyond a nod to this film?
No idea. But he made them siblings. Which goes to show you even HE missed the so-called 'subtext'.
So probably just a nod to a movie he liked.
Awesome review. This movie had the same atmospheric feel as The Sweet Smell of Success only with more cops and Gangsters. Richard Conte was amazing in this....as he was in almost everything. Request time - How about a John Garfield review. Either Force of Evil or Nobody Lives Forever. Thanks Raz0rfist . An every album Ronnie James Dio metal mythos would be great too. 🤟🏻🤟🏻
Have the DVD. Adore this film.
Enjoyed this video. Thanks!
Yes! New noirchives!
I think a noir serial killer movie would be awesome
Sweet! Been waiting for another noir review!!
This is why say noire jazz instead of the noire music. It's more correct in that respect.
10:49 "woman dresses for a man" haha yeah back in 40's now it's the opposite lol
Do Carol Reed's The Third Man. Overstated classic maybe, but still a classic.
I thought the main villain looked familiar. Apparently he actually played Barzini in The Godfather. When I first saw it I thought he didn’t look like much of a mobster, but no, he’s one of the og mob actors. He’s done great from what I’ve seen of the big combo.
This was a masterpiece
Just watched it on UA-cam. loved it
Brilliant. Thanks!
Old school LA. Choice!👌
Yes!! More Noirchives! I love it!
Excellent review on a perfect example of noir, this film is one of my favorites; John Alton’s cinematography is amazing, it is a shame he only worked on independent films, but that was his choice. Another great example of “Jazzy” score in noir is the great Robert Siodmak’s Phantom Lady.
“ The Killers” has always been the one I find to be my favorite, speaking of Siodmak, one of the best opening shots in noir
Again thank you for posted this, watched it several times; I am confused why the Blu ray of this film has no bonus features? I was expecting at the very least a audio commentary track; very disappointing
John Alton's influence can be seen even in shows like The Rifleman. His disciple Joseph H. Lewis worked on this series and you can see his work in the cinematography. It's like looking at a western noir.
@@elizabethjordan5755 yes very familiar with his later work, just wondering how much greater some of the classic noir’s would have looked if he worked on them
Would a Film Noirchives on Rear Window be out of the question?
Film Noirchives : The Big Heat (please)
John Alton greatest noir cinematographer
3:18 oh damn, is Mingo a replicant?!
Joking aside and no pun intended. Seeing the light reflecting from his shadowed eyes like that was very eye-catching.
Going to check this one out. Poirot fan boy diversifying his crime piece viewing.
Fun film fact: The torture scene was 100% real but rather than the volume being too high for his ears he was just forced to listen to jazz which fucking sucks.
I was just going to say you talk exactly like them, in that "dizzying dialogue." Lol. Not sure if its the rhythmn or the words or both. Its cool tho.
Yeah, he went offstage to get a glass of water. He was thirsty. =)
Speaking or noir, what are you thoughts on Altered carbon Mr. Rageaholic?
Was going through your list here and have seen just about all of them except this one. Found a stream for it, settled in, and when I saw John Alton's name come up, I knew I was in for something special. Thanks for turning me on to this classic noir that I somehow overlooked; excellent visual essay as well. Any chance of your covering "Blast of Silence", this is one of my personal favorites that is often overlooked.