The Maltese Falcon was made a few years earlier, and it had shadows, a femme fatale, world weariness, and cynicism aplenty. I absolutely love Double Indemnity though, it's one of the few truly touching film noirs.
Absolutely, 'The Maltese Falcon' is by all means a film noir. I actually prefer it to 'Double Indemnity,' if I had to rank them. That cast of characters is iconic (an over-used term, but I think it applies).
Double Indemnity is one of the greatest films of all time. Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, and Edward G. Robinson played at their best with a great story and screenplay with outstanding direction. My favorite film noir.
So far you are the first one who talking about film noirs and mentioned Out of the past, my favorite too. I always say, if you want to know what film noir is watch Out of the past, it has all the genre specific in it.
I have seen the house on a RUclips video-it’s still there and remarkably similar! One thing that irked me about this otherwise fabulous film is in a clip you showed . Stanwyck hides behind MacMurray’s apartment door that opens OUT!! Apartment doors open IN, but of course this was done for obvious reasons. Billy Wilder’s last TV appearance was on Johnny Carson and Johnny asked him how he was. Billy said he went to see his doctor and told him he was having trouble peeing. The doctor looked at him and asked how old he was. Billy replied, “93.”; upon which the doctor shrugged and said, “Oh, you’ve peed enough!” Johnny fell off his chair laughing and it brought the house down!
While watching the movie I was so caught up in the suspense that the door opening out didn't even dawn on me. But upon editing the review it suddenly stood out to me that something was off. In the TV remake they avoid that by having Phyllis hide on a stairway nearby, but the scene doesn't feel nearly as tense.
@@HildebrandProductions Right, and that tension boils when she touches his hand. They couldn’t have accomplished that from the stairwell! I’m not crazy about remakes. Once you’ve watched the big boys do it, a remake seldom “makes” it. Imagine “Casablanca” w/o Bogey and Bergman! Btw, I used to be friends with Bogey’s son Steve who stayed at our summer place several times and met his mother Lauren at his wedding. I love your enthusiasm for these movies and, though I’ve seen them many times, I get to enjoy them again through you! Thanks for all your efforts. Jane P.S.: It was said about Dashiell Hammet that he took the body out of the library and gave it back to the boys who knew what to do with it!
You knew Humphrey Bogart's son, attended his wedding and met Lauren Bacall? I have to admit I'm a little jealous. I've had the opportunity to meet a few actors from the old days of Hollywood at conventions, etc. but there are getting to be so few of them left these days. Thanks so much for your comments!
A while back I watched this film for the 2nd time then recently I’ve been watching early 70s Columbos. “Keyes” constantly smoked a cigar, was totally obsessive about solving cases, so much so that he was considered unkempt by 40s standards. His boss got on him about not wearing a suit coat once. Something Keyes was too preoccupied to care about. I wonder if the creators of Columbo had this guy in the back of their minds.
Great review. The remake was a made-for-tv movie. As such I can excuse it. I view it similarly to the way they used to bang-out abbreviated versions of movies in the form of radio plays in the 40's.
Fred MacMurray also plays a "heel" character in Caine Mutiny. But generally he is a "good guy" persona. To me that makes Double Indemnity BETTER. It's a "regular Joe" whose character flaws overwhelm him.
Great Job on another one. I liked it so much I watched it twice. I think I’ll watch the crappy 73 TV remake for Lee J Cobbs performance alone. I’ve always liked him.
Great review!. I've already seen this movie, but you pointed out some things that I hadn't noticed and some facts that were new to me. I'm excited to have discovered your channel, and have found your videos enjoyable and enlightening. I like how you cover many aspects of the movie, including not just acting and directing, but dialogue, music, costumes, scenery, morality issues, film history, and even fun minor details. The background showing what must be your personal DVD collection (impressive!) with the reviewed movie DVD case facing us is perfect..It's clever how you dress like a movie character in the thumbnail photo.( However, it's certainly not necessary; if it gets tiresome, I think you'll be successful without doing it.) One suggestion: Maybe at some point update the intro music (the piano sounds a bit out of tune perhaps?). Looking forward to many more reviews from you.
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying the reviews. So far I enjoy the costumes, but I appreciate you saying that! And the piano is actually my grandparent's old upright grand piano that was passed down to me. It is in need of tuning, maybe once I get that done I'll have to re-record the theme.
@@HildebrandProductions I find your slightly off key piano quite noirish! And I look forward to seeing what outfit you have for each new video! A job well done….
And you failed to notice the crazy number of times the numbers 9 and 11 were mentioned?! How could you miss it? I counted 13 or more times! Fearing it would become too repetitive (which it was) on occasion the numbers were inserted surreptitiously as in 7 + 2 or 9 + 2, but the combination added up to 9 and 11 every time. Watch it again and be astonished. Why were the number 9/11 endlessly repeated in a "noir" opening with a one-legged man on 2 crutches (3) titled, "Double Indemnity" ? it's no wonder it's become a fiercely debated topic amongst the cognoscenti. Also, insurance business, like prostitution, has been around a long time. It was started by racketeers and it continues to be one of the biggest money making scams. E.G. Robinson is perfect in the part with his gnome-like body, oversized head and deformed face (that grotesque mouth!). He is possessed by demon he calls his, "little man" who won't let him rest until he's collected or saved every last penny for the monstrous corporation to which he "belongs." He's an odious and relentless driblet of a creature insanely devoted to bleeding dry the average Joe for the sake of padding the "big boss'" pocket.; the epitome of the slavering house boy. There is much more I could add, but let me sum up this way: A capacity for cynicism is an absolute requisite to serious study of "film noir." It's "noir" because it's deep, dark and dirty and every aspect is meant to be looked upon with a jaundiced eye. Thank you.
Oh boy now the little woman in me won't shut up until I'll watch the TV remake. I don't know why I do this to myself but here I am. Impressive collection btw wish I had the budget though the five shekel basement at the third ear does hold some treasures. Yesterday Today and Tomorrow with good image and sound quality AND subtitles?? That'll do.
Dame, Doll, Knockout and of course Baby!
I LOVE it!
The Maltese Falcon was made a few years earlier, and it had shadows, a femme fatale, world weariness, and cynicism aplenty. I absolutely love Double Indemnity though, it's one of the few truly touching film noirs.
Absolutely, 'The Maltese Falcon' is by all means a film noir. I actually prefer it to 'Double Indemnity,' if I had to rank them. That cast of characters is iconic (an over-used term, but I think it applies).
Double Indemnity is one of the greatest films of all time. Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, and Edward G. Robinson played at their best with a great story and screenplay with outstanding direction. My favorite film noir.
Fantastic film
Great review
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
My favorite film noir movie. Thanks!
So far you are the first one who talking about film noirs and mentioned Out of the past, my favorite too. I always say, if you want to know what film noir is watch Out of the past, it has all the genre specific in it.
Been wondering where your intro music is from, it reminds me of the UK show The Avengers.
It is the opening notes from The Avengers theme, just played on my piano.
@@HildebrandProductions Ah so I guess correctly. Good choice btw.
I have seen the house on a RUclips video-it’s still there and remarkably similar! One thing that irked me about this otherwise fabulous film is in a clip you showed . Stanwyck hides behind MacMurray’s apartment door that opens OUT!! Apartment doors open IN, but of course this was done for obvious reasons. Billy Wilder’s last TV appearance was on Johnny Carson and Johnny asked him how he was. Billy said he went to see his doctor and told him he was having trouble peeing. The doctor looked at him and asked how old he was. Billy replied, “93.”; upon which the doctor shrugged and said, “Oh, you’ve peed enough!” Johnny fell off his chair laughing and it brought the house down!
While watching the movie I was so caught up in the suspense that the door opening out didn't even dawn on me. But upon editing the review it suddenly stood out to me that something was off. In the TV remake they avoid that by having Phyllis hide on a stairway nearby, but the scene doesn't feel nearly as tense.
@@HildebrandProductions Right, and that tension boils when she touches his hand. They couldn’t have accomplished that from the stairwell! I’m not crazy about remakes. Once you’ve watched the big boys do it, a remake seldom “makes” it. Imagine “Casablanca” w/o Bogey and Bergman! Btw, I used to be friends with Bogey’s son Steve who stayed at our summer place several times and met his mother Lauren at his wedding.
I love your enthusiasm for these movies and, though I’ve seen them many times, I get to enjoy them again through you! Thanks for all your efforts. Jane
P.S.: It was said about Dashiell Hammet that he took the body out of the library and gave it back to the boys who knew what to do with it!
You knew Humphrey Bogart's son, attended his wedding and met Lauren Bacall? I have to admit I'm a little jealous. I've had the opportunity to meet a few actors from the old days of Hollywood at conventions, etc. but there are getting to be so few of them left these days. Thanks so much for your comments!
I have never seen this film and I always thought myself pretty well versed on 40's cinema. Will be exciting to watch it. Keep up the good work.
I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for your comment!
A while back I watched this film for the 2nd time then recently I’ve been watching early 70s Columbos. “Keyes” constantly smoked a cigar, was totally obsessive about solving cases, so much so that he was considered unkempt by 40s standards. His boss got on him about not wearing a suit coat once. Something Keyes was too preoccupied to care about. I wonder if the creators of Columbo had this guy in the back of their minds.
Great review. The remake was a made-for-tv movie. As such I can excuse it. I view it similarly to the way they used to bang-out abbreviated versions of movies in the form of radio plays in the 40's.
Fred MacMurray also plays a "heel" character in Caine Mutiny. But generally he is a "good guy" persona. To me that makes Double Indemnity BETTER. It's a "regular Joe" whose character flaws overwhelm him.
Great Job on another one. I liked it so much I watched it twice.
I think I’ll watch the crappy 73 TV remake for Lee J Cobbs performance alone. I’ve always liked him.
Great review!. I've already seen this movie, but you pointed out some things that I hadn't noticed and some facts that were new to me. I'm excited to have discovered your channel, and have found your videos enjoyable and enlightening. I like how you cover many aspects of the movie, including not just acting and directing, but dialogue, music, costumes, scenery, morality issues, film history, and even fun minor details. The background showing what must be your personal DVD collection (impressive!) with the reviewed movie DVD case facing us is perfect..It's clever how you dress like a movie character in the thumbnail photo.( However, it's certainly not necessary; if it gets tiresome, I think you'll be successful without doing it.) One suggestion: Maybe at some point update the intro music (the piano sounds a bit out of tune perhaps?). Looking forward to many more reviews from you.
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying the reviews. So far I enjoy the costumes, but I appreciate you saying that! And the piano is actually my grandparent's old upright grand piano that was passed down to me. It is in need of tuning, maybe once I get that done I'll have to re-record the theme.
@@HildebrandProductions I find your slightly off key piano quite noirish! And I look forward to seeing what outfit you have for each new video! A job well done….
@@QueenBee-gx4rp me too on both counts
And you failed to notice the crazy number of times the numbers 9 and 11 were mentioned?! How could you miss it? I counted 13 or more times! Fearing it would become too repetitive (which it was) on occasion the numbers were inserted surreptitiously as in 7 + 2 or 9 + 2, but the combination added up to 9 and 11 every time. Watch it again and be astonished. Why were the number 9/11 endlessly repeated in a "noir" opening with a one-legged man on 2 crutches (3) titled, "Double Indemnity" ? it's no wonder it's become a fiercely debated topic amongst the cognoscenti. Also, insurance business, like prostitution, has been around a long time. It was started by racketeers and it continues to be one of the biggest money making scams. E.G. Robinson is perfect in the part with his gnome-like body, oversized head and deformed face (that grotesque mouth!). He is possessed by demon he calls his, "little man" who won't let him rest until he's collected or saved every last penny for the monstrous corporation to which he "belongs." He's an odious and relentless driblet of a creature insanely devoted to bleeding dry the average Joe for the sake of padding the "big boss'" pocket.; the epitome of the slavering house boy. There is much more I could add, but let me sum up this way: A capacity for cynicism is an absolute requisite to serious study of "film noir." It's "noir" because it's deep, dark and dirty and every aspect is meant to be looked upon with a jaundiced eye. Thank you.
Oh boy now the little woman in me won't shut up until I'll watch the TV remake. I don't know why I do this to myself but here I am. Impressive collection btw wish I had the budget though the five shekel basement at the third ear does hold some treasures. Yesterday Today and Tomorrow with good image and sound quality AND subtitles?? That'll do.