Four Film Noir Classics Vols. 1-3

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Ribs
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Four Film Noir Classics Vols. 1-3

#1 Post by Ribs » Mon Aug 21, 2017 10:21 am

Four Film Noir Classics:

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Film noir has had many influences. Long before the term was even coined, we had atmospheric studio-shot detective thrillers, whose characters gradually became more ambiguous, and whose locations started to take in the world outside (notably New York City). This collection showcases some classic examples.

In The Dark Mirror (1946), directed by Robert Siodmak (The Killers), a man is murdered and there’s an obvious suspect, but she has an identical twin sister (both played by Olivia de Havilland, Gone with the Wind), and one of them has a cast-iron alibi. The perfect crime? A psychologist with a specialist interest in twin psychology delves into the heart of the mystery, at considerable risk to himself. In Secret Beyond the Door (1947), Fritz Lang (The Big Heat) adapts the Bluebeard legend with a dash of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. Shortly after their marriage, Celia (Joan Bennett, Suspiria) begins to suspect her architect husband Mark (Michael Redgrave, Dead of Night) of having a secret past, and wonders about the reason behind multiple rooms in his self-designed home, one of which is kept permanently locked. In Abraham Polonsky’s Force of Evil (1948), an unscrupulous lawyer (John Garfield, The Postman Always Rings Twice) scents a personal fortune when he concocts a plan to merge New York City’s numbers rackets into a single powerful and unbreakable operation, but reckons without his brother, who’d rather stay independent. And in Joseph H. Lewis’ ultra-stylish The Big Combo (1955), Lieutenant Diamond (Cornel Wilde, The Naked Prey) is determined to bring down mob boss Mr Brown (Richard Conte, Thieves’ Highway). But Brown feels the same way, and is far less constrained by the law, leading to some wince-inducing set pieces (some involving a pre-stardom Lee Van Cleef).

This collection showcases many of the genre’s major names on both sides of the camera. In addition to the directing and acting talent mentioned above there are cinematographers Stanley Cortez (The Night of the Hunter) and John Alton (An American in Paris), composers Dmitri Tiomkin (High Noon) and Miklós Rósza (The Killers) and writers Nunnally Johnson (The Woman in the Window) and Philip Yordan (Johnny Guitar). It’s little wonder that directors such as Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino were so struck by them.

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:

• Limited Edition Dual Format Collection [2000 copies]
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of four film noir classics: The Dark Mirror (Robert Siodmak, 1946), Secret Beyond the Door (Fritz Lang, 1947), Force of Evil (Abraham Polonsky, 1948), and The Big Combo (Joseph H. Lewis, 1955)
• Commentaries on all films by leading scholars and critics Adrian Martin (on The Dark Mirror), Alan K. Rode (on Secret Beyond the Door), Glenn Kenny and Farran Smith Nehme (on Force of Evil), and Eddie Muller (on The Big Combo) • Noah Isenberg on The Dark Mirror, the author and scholar provides a detailed analysis of the film
• Noah Isenberg on The Dark Mirror, the author and scholar provides a detailed analysis of the film
• Barry Keith Grant on Secret Beyond the Door, the author and scholar introduces the film
• The House of Lang: A visual essay on Fritz Lang’s style by filmmaker David Cairns with a focus on his noir work
• Introduction to Force of Evil by Martin Scorsese
• An Autopsy on Capitalism: A visual essay on the production and reception of Force of Evil by Frank Krutnik, author of In a Lonely Street: Film noir, genre, masculinity
• Commentary on selected Force of Evil themes by Krutnik
• Geoff Andrew on The Big Combo, the critic and programmer offers an introduction to and analysis of the film
• Wagon Wheel Joe: A visual essay on director Joseph H. Lewis by filmmaker David Cairns
• The Big Combo original screenplay (BD/DVD-ROM content)
• Four radio plays, starring Olivia de Havilland and John Garfield among others
• Trailers
• Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Scott Saslow for all films
• Hardback book featuring new writing on all the films by noir experts and critics including Michael Brooke, Andrew Spicer, David Cairns and Tony Rayns, production stories, re-prints featuring Fritz Lang, Abraham Polonsky, Cornel Wilde, The Dark Mirror consultant Dr Mary Romm, contemporary reviews, and credits for all films, illustrated with original stills [Limited Edition Exclusive]

Four Film Noir Classics Vol 2 Limited Edition:

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Tormented protagonists, sadistic villains, sublimated sex and murder most foul. Take a walk through the shadowy streets of Film Noir in these four atmospheric classics.

In The Suspect (1944) a genial shopkeeper, Philip Marshall, is constantly nagged by his shrewish wife, Cora, while secretly yearning for a pretty young stenographer. When Cora falls to her death the police are suspicious, and Marshall’s neighbour sees a chance for blackmail. A classic noir with an unusual Edwardian setting directed by Robert Siodmak (The Killers), and starring Charles Laughton (The Big Clock), Ella Raines (Phantom Lady) and Henry Daniell (The Body Snatcher). Meanwhile, The Sleeping City (1950) sees an undercover policeman investigating murder and narcotics racketeering at New York's Bellevue Hospital. Starring Richard Conte (Thieves’ Highway) and Coleen Gray (Nightmare Alley) this tense, semi-documentary thriller was shot entirely on location by director George Sherman. In Thunder on the Hill (1951) convicted murderer Valerie Carns is being transported for execution when a flood strands her and her guards at a convent hospital, where Sister Mary Bonaventure becomes convinced of Valerie’s innocence and sets out to find the real killer.

Celebrated director Douglas Sirk is best known for his classic melodramas, but he made a number of noir thrillers and this is one of the best; starring Claudette Colbert (It Happened One Night) and Ann Blyth (Mildred Pierce). Finally, in Six Bridges to Cross (1955) streetwise delinquent Jerry Florea is shot and wounded by rookie policeman Eddie Gallagher while fleeing the scene of a robbery. Despite this, the two develop a friendship as Eddie and his wife take Jerry under their wing, trying to keep him on the straight and narrow. As an adult Jerry marries and seems to settle down, until an armoured security company across the street from him is robbed of two and a half million dollars. Directed by Joseph Pevney (Man of a Thousand Faces) the film stars Tony Curtis (Some Like it Hot), George Nalder (Robot Monster), Julie Adams (Creature from the Black Lagoon) and Sal Mineo (Rebel Without a Cause), with cinematography by the great William H. Daniels (The Naked City).

This showcase of lesser known noir classics features sterling performances from a host of screen greats, as well as taut direction, stunning cinematography, and superb screenwriting from the likes of Oscar Saul (A Streetcar Named Desire), Jo Eisinger (Gilda, Night and the City), Andrew Holt (In a Lonely Place) and Sydney Boehm (The Big Heat). Embrace the darkness with these hard-boiled genre gems.

Product Features:
  • High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentations of all four films
  • Original lossless mono audio on all films
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on all films
  • Audio commentaries by leading scholars and critics Farran Smith-Nehme (The Suspect), Imogen Sara Smith (The Sleeping City), Josh Nelson (Thunder on the Hill) and Samm Deighan (Six Bridges to Cross)
  • It Had to be Done, a new interview in which author and scholar Alan K. Rode takes a detailed look at the life and work of Robert Siodmak director of The Suspect and other classic noirs
  • The Real Deal, a new visual essay by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas looking at realism and reality in The Sleeping City
  • José Arroyo on Thunder on the Hill, a new appreciation by the esteemed film scholar and critic
  • Style and Place, a new visual essay by film critic Jon Towlson examining the work of celebrated cinematographer William H. Daniels
  • Vintage radio play versions of The Suspect and Thunder on the Hill starring Charles Laughton, Ella Raines, Claudette Colbert and Barbara Rush
  • Theatrical Trailers
  • Poster and stills galleries
  • Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Scott Saslow
  • Double-sided fold-out posters for each film featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Scott Saslow
  • Hardback collector’s book featuring new writing on the films by film critics Kat Ellinger, Philip Kemp and Jon Towlson [Limited Edition Exclusive]

Four Film Noir Classics Vol 3 Limited Edition:

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Vengeful army vets, ruthless organised criminals, and desperate parent-child psychodramas await you in these four classics from noir streets less travelled.

In Calcutta (1946), Neale (Alan Ladd, Shane), a cynical cargo pilot, investigates the murder of a close friend and finds himself falling into the arms of his late friend’s mysterious fiancée, Virginia (Gail Russell, The Uninvited). When he connects the murder to a ring of illicit jewellery-smugglers, he becomes their next target. Is Virginia as innocent and vulnerable as she seems? In Ride the Pink Horse (1947), Gagin (Robert Montgomery, Lady in the Lake), a surly former GI, goes after the crime boss who murdered his friend. His gambit: to put the screws to the gangster with the same extortion plot that got Gagin’s buddy killed. This time things have to end differently, right? In Outside the Law (1956), Johnny Salvo, (Ray Danton, The Longest Day), a convict paroled into military service, is called back stateside on a mission that could clear his record: get inside the counterfeiting racket that killed his army buddy. Not only is the assignment dangerous, but Salvo’s got to work for the cop who put him behind bars – his own estranged father. Finally, in The Female Animal (1958), a glamorous movie star (Hedy Lamarr, Samson and Delilah) and her alcoholic daughter (Jane Powell, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) vie for the affections of a handsome young movie extra (George Nader, Robot Monster) who has entered their lives. When the older woman generously opens her lifestyle to the young man, his insecurities feed his ambivalence. When he ends up in the arms of her daughter, disaster looms.

This collection of noir’s neglected treasures doesn’t stick to the city streets: from smuggling contraband in the skies over Asia to drowning beneath the torrent of a Hollywood waterfall, the genre’s darkness lurks everywhere.

4-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentations of four films: Calcutta, Ride the Pink Horse, Outside the Law and The Female Animal
• Original lossless mono audio on all films
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on all films
• Audio commentaries by leading scholars and critics Nick Pinkerton (Calcutta), Josh Nelson (Ride the Pink Horse), Richard Harland Smith (Outside the Law) and David Del Valle (The Female Animal)
• Brand new visual essay on Calcutta by critic Jon Towlson
• Brand new visual essays on Ride the Pink Horse and The Female Animal by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
• Brand new visual essay on Outside the Law by author and producer Kat Ellinger
• Vintage radio play version of Ride the Pink Horse, starring Robert Montgomery, Wanda Hendrix and Thomas Gomez
• Theatrical trailers
• Image galleries
• Limited edition packaging with reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Scott Saslow
• Double-sided fold-out posters for each film featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Scott Saslow
• Limited edition hardback collector’s book featuring new writing on the films by film critics Andrew Graves, Jon Towlson, Barry Forshaw and Nora MacIntyre
Last edited by Ribs on Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:36 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Apperson
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#2 Post by Apperson » Mon Aug 21, 2017 10:29 am

Well this sounds absolutely essential in every way.

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Ribs
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#3 Post by Ribs » Mon Aug 21, 2017 10:30 am

I'm very surprised this one too makes the cut for only 2,000 units, as this seems like a markedly more commercially appealing set than most of the other Academy sets, though it may be possible there'll be another 2,000 in the US if it's released here too. ETA: It's not.

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Apperson
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#4 Post by Apperson » Mon Aug 21, 2017 10:36 am

I'm just surprised at how stacked it is with special features as well as it being four very commercial titles being grouped together like this.
Ribs wrote:I'm very surprised this one too makes the cut for only 2,000 units, as this seems like a markedly more commercially appealing set than most of the other Academy sets.
Do you think all Academy sets are limited to this due to their smaller budget range?

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Ribs
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#5 Post by Ribs » Mon Aug 21, 2017 10:41 am

It seems like they dipped down to 2,000 for every set (Taisho started this trend) but this set by far seems like the Academy set most likely to sell well in stores with a general public so I'm surprised they didn't make it 3,000 (hey, there's 6,000 copies of the Yoshida set out there). Considering still only the Boro and Fassbinder sets have sold out (and both of them were only 1,000 units) they might just be hedging their bets a little better. (This set, undoubtedly, will be released as separate releases after selling out though)

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domino harvey
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#6 Post by domino harvey » Mon Aug 21, 2017 10:47 am

Bye Olive

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What A Disgrace
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#7 Post by What A Disgrace » Mon Aug 21, 2017 10:49 am

This boxed set trumps Criterion's entire November slate - to say nothing of the rest of Arrow's November releases.

These are all Republic titles, if I'm not mistaken, so this means we can probably expect some more of those to sneak into the Academy.

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NABOB OF NOWHERE
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#8 Post by NABOB OF NOWHERE » Mon Aug 21, 2017 11:21 am

Despite having most of these, the extras and commentaries make it an essential buy. Also having been in a band called the Big Combo how can I resist?

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Ribs
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#9 Post by Ribs » Mon Aug 21, 2017 11:25 am

Gotta love Arrow's copy arbitrarily declaring something an influence on something/someone popular. I get it, but the way they do it's just always so transparently shallow.

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domino harvey
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#10 Post by domino harvey » Mon Aug 21, 2017 11:26 am

This does look to be one of Arrow's greatest releases, even though I only love one of the four films enough to call it a classic. Given the extremely reasonable price, I will join the chorus of expecting this to sell out ASAP

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Ribs
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#11 Post by Ribs » Mon Aug 21, 2017 11:29 am

I'd not expect it to be ASAP, but it'd not surprise me if this sells out right before release (and if so, I'd imagine Arrow'd bump it up to 3,000 units). But there's really no reason to not order now if you're able considering there's absolutely no guarantee that an Arrow sale will happen anytime soon considering they're off their usual schedule.

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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#12 Post by HugoDeVries » Mon Aug 21, 2017 11:53 am

The only thing that would make this release better would be 'Volume 1' on the packaging...more noir please Arrow.

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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#13 Post by colinr0380 » Mon Aug 21, 2017 2:08 pm

The set is worth it just for Force of Evil alone, but with The Big Combo, a Fritz Lang and a Siodmak its essential!

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Four Film Noir Classics

#14 Post by MichaelB » Mon Aug 21, 2017 2:45 pm

Ribs wrote:Gotta love Arrow's copy arbitrarily declaring something an influence on something/someone popular. I get it, but the way they do it's just always so transparently shallow.
If it sells more copies, who cares? The 50th-anniversary revival of Belle de Jour reminds me of working on a 25th-anniversary 35mm reissue where we cheerfully billed it as "the Rolls-Royce of sex films". Crass? Absolutely. Cynical? Undoubtedly. But we reckoned that it wouldn't put off people wanting to see what was then a long-unavailable title while luring in people who might not otherwise have given it a second glance.

It broke the house record at both its opening venues - and two more Buñuels were revived the following month as a direct result.

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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#15 Post by Finch » Mon Aug 21, 2017 2:51 pm

Pity it's not Gun Crazy instead of The Big Combo for the Lewis but I agree this set alone makes Arrow's November slate a lot more exciting than Criterion's.

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Banasa
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#16 Post by Banasa » Mon Aug 21, 2017 3:17 pm

Ditto on Gun Crazy. That only has a French blu-ray release, correct? Waiting for whoever has their hands on it to do something special with it.

As for the Arrow's back text promotion, it is a bit of a "uhh sure" moment, but this is by and far away from VHS days where you would see a white model toting a bazooka on what turns out to be a hong kong shaw brothers flick!

So yeah, its easy to turn a blind eye away from Arrow pushing films this way. Viva familiarity.

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tenia
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#17 Post by tenia » Mon Aug 21, 2017 7:09 pm

Gun Crazy french BD is OK but nothing spectacular, though.

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HJackson
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#18 Post by HJackson » Tue Aug 22, 2017 10:54 am

I'll buy this and it's sure to be a wonderful package (and fresh for UK consumers), but I can't get too excited about it when Olive have already released nice 1080p versions of all of these years ago while ClassixFlix in the States is actually bringing us Blu debuts of major noirs.

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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#19 Post by cpetrizzi » Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:40 am

These are slated for November 20, 2017.

Does anyone know if these will be region-free?

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Drucker
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#20 Post by Drucker » Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:43 am

cpetrizzi wrote:These are slated for November 20, 2017.

Does anyone know if these will be region-free?
Considering the Olive blu-rays are still in print, doubtful.

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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#21 Post by MichaelB » Wed Aug 23, 2017 12:31 pm

I'd be astonished if they were region free, as they're major studio licenses.

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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#22 Post by swo17 » Wed Aug 23, 2017 12:33 pm

Have any of their UK-only releases been region free?

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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#23 Post by Glowingwabbit » Wed Aug 23, 2017 2:21 pm

swo17 wrote:Have any of their UK-only releases been region free?
I don't think so (at least none of the ones in my collection... believe me I've tried). I thought that was the point of them releasing some as UK/US.

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Finch
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#24 Post by Finch » Wed Aug 23, 2017 2:34 pm

Would be good to know if these four will be available individually. I watched the Lang and Siodmark last night; neither strong enough for me to want to own them, same with The Big Combo. So that leaves Force of Evil which, to be honest, makes the Olive BD more tempting but I'd like to support Arrow and buy a standalone release of Force if that was planned for 2018.

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Ribs
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Re: Four Film Noir Classics

#25 Post by Ribs » Wed Aug 23, 2017 3:46 pm

I cannot imagine whatsoever a world where these are not individually released soon after selling out if not before

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