Comments on: Public domain collection of film noir at Archive.org http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:37:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Snaile http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607232 Snaile Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607232 I recommend: D.O.A, The Hitch-Hiker, and Scarlet Street (Fritz Lang and Edward G. Robinson!) Enjoy! I recommend: D.O.A, The Hitch-Hiker, and Scarlet Street (Fritz Lang and Edward G. Robinson!) Enjoy!

]]> By: mzed http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607246 mzed Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607246 I just watched "Beat the Devil." Great script (John Huston and Truman Capote), Great Cast. Not really noir, but worth watching. I just watched “Beat the Devil.” Great script (John Huston and Truman Capote), Great Cast. Not really noir, but worth watching.

]]> By: TenWoodbines http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607256 TenWoodbines Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607256 Dick Powell in Murder My Sweet (Farewell My Lovely). I could, and have, watched countless times. Dick Powell in Murder My Sweet (Farewell My Lovely). I could, and have, watched countless times.

]]> By: ldorts http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607264 ldorts Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607264 Definitely DOA and Scarlett Street. The others on the list I've seen (Kansas City Confidential, He Walked By Night) were forgettable. Definitely DOA and Scarlett Street. The others on the list I’ve seen (Kansas City Confidential, He Walked By Night) were forgettable.

]]> By: mojo http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607520 mojo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607520 "The Killing" is Kubrick, so of course it's good. "The Killers" (1946 - Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Edmund O'Brien) is by Hemingway, but I won't hold that against it. Sometimes simple writing is good. And Ava is just gorgeous. See also: "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and my personal fave "Kiss of Death" with Richard Widmark as giggling psycopath Tommy Udo. “The Killing” is Kubrick, so of course it’s good. “The Killers” (1946 – Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Edmund O’Brien) is by Hemingway, but I won’t hold that against it. Sometimes simple writing is good. And Ava is just gorgeous.

See also: “Where the Sidewalk Ends” and my personal fave “Kiss of Death” with Richard Widmark as giggling psycopath Tommy Udo.

]]> By: Church http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607268 Church Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607268 Another item in the "copyright needs must be shorter" department. Another item in the “copyright needs must be shorter” department.

]]> By: ppad http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607540 ppad Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607540 Archive.org also has "Lady in the death house," which is a terrible B-noir; it's also one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Archive.org also has “Lady in the death house,” which is a terrible B-noir; it’s also one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.

]]> By: Robbo http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607797 Robbo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607797 Ida Lupino's "The Hitchhiker" is the real gem of the collection. http://www.archive.org/details/IdaLupinostheHitch-hiker1953 Ida Lupino’s “The Hitchhiker” is the real gem of the collection.

http://www.archive.org/details/IdaLupinostheHitch-hiker1953

]]> By: Elvis Gump http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607798 Elvis Gump Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607798 Detour is good, but I think that "Out of the Past" is the king of all noir films http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039689/ And one that I don't see here that's a close second is "Kiss Me Deadly" based on the Spillane novel. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048261/ Kubrick's "The Killing" is good, but more like a try at a genre film to break into the business which he and his then production partner James Harris were trying to do. And it worked, but it's not really that great a noir film. Detour is good, but I think that “Out of the Past” is the king of all noir films
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039689/

And one that I don’t see here that’s a close second is “Kiss Me Deadly” based on the Spillane novel.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048261/

Kubrick’s “The Killing” is good, but more like a try at a genre film to break into the business which he and his then production partner James Harris were trying to do. And it worked, but it’s not really that great a noir film.

]]> By: The Unusual Suspect http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607290 The Unusual Suspect Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607290 Another vote for "D.O.A." And, though it's less of what people think as film noir, "Suddenly" is a real treat, wherein we get to watch Frank Sinatra as a psychopathic killer out to assassinate the President. Another vote for “D.O.A.”

And, though it’s less of what people think as film noir, “Suddenly” is a real treat, wherein we get to watch Frank Sinatra as a psychopathic killer out to assassinate the President.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607551 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607551 Watched Detour in my Film Noir class... wow, could I sound more college? Anyways, I love that film so much. Thanks for linking this. Watched Detour in my Film Noir class… wow, could I sound more college?

Anyways, I love that film so much. Thanks for linking this.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607301 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607301 DOA is brilliant. Scarlett Street is pretty good. I personally like He Walked By Night but many don't. Too Late for Tears is also pretty good. The rest that I've seen, including Beat the Devil, are junk, in my opinion, although I haven't seen all of them so there could be some hidden gems in there. DOA is brilliant. Scarlett Street is pretty good. I personally like He Walked By Night but many don’t. Too Late for Tears is also pretty good. The rest that I’ve seen, including Beat the Devil, are junk, in my opinion, although I haven’t seen all of them so there could be some hidden gems in there.

]]> By: theghostoflordbeaverbrook http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607302 theghostoflordbeaverbrook Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607302 While Detour is great, especially with the budget they had to work with, I found The Killing to be more enjoyable as the plot feels much more developed. Though both are great and if you haven't seen them, you really should. While Detour is great, especially with the budget they had to work with, I found The Killing to be more enjoyable as the plot feels much more developed. Though both are great and if you haven’t seen them, you really should.

]]> By: theghostoflordbeaverbrook http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607330 theghostoflordbeaverbrook Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607330 Also, as a recommendation, if you enjoyed Detour you'll probably like Cat People. Also, as a recommendation, if you enjoyed Detour you’ll probably like Cat People.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-701282 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-701282 Is there any way to post up either documentary: 1) The Rules of Film Noir by Matthew Sweet 2) The Best of Film Noir Is there any way to post up either documentary:

1) The Rules of Film Noir by Matthew Sweet
2) The Best of Film Noir

]]> By: orwellian http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-610408 orwellian Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-610408 'Martha Ivers' is a wonderful movie. It's full of great actors and writing and was Kirk Douglas' first movie, something you'll never believe when you see him in it. I've read 'Detour' and thought it wonderful. 'Suddenly' is very good and you can see why Sinatra was considered a good actor. 'Murder, My Sweet' was considered by Raymond Chandler to have the best portrayal of Philip Marlowe. Yes, better than Bogart. Looks like I should brew some coffee. I won't be sleeping for a few nights. :-) ‘Martha Ivers’ is a wonderful movie. It’s full of great actors and writing and was Kirk Douglas’ first movie, something you’ll never believe when you see him in it.

I’ve read ‘Detour’ and thought it wonderful.

‘Suddenly’ is very good and you can see why Sinatra was considered a good actor.

‘Murder, My Sweet’ was considered by Raymond Chandler to have the best portrayal of Philip Marlowe. Yes, better than Bogart.

Looks like I should brew some coffee. I won’t be sleeping for a few nights. :-)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607373 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607373 here's a really great place to find some public domain films: http://www.classiccinemaonline.com here’s a really great place to find some public domain films: http://www.classiccinemaonline.com

]]> By: wanion http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607638 wanion Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607638 I went to download Detour at archive.org and saw that one of the preview thumbnails that flips through on the download page was the The End title card, so it's good to know that this movie does, in fact, end. In case you were worried. Also, archive.org has The Stranger with Orson Welles and Edward G Robinson, which is pretty decent. I went to download Detour at archive.org and saw that one of the preview thumbnails that flips through on the download page was the The End title card, so it’s good to know that this movie does, in fact, end. In case you were worried.

Also, archive.org has The Stranger with Orson Welles and Edward G Robinson, which is pretty decent.

]]> By: robcat2075 http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607386 robcat2075 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607386 DOA is quite good. "Beat the Devil" is fantastic, although it only qualifies as "noir" because someone thought Bogart's presence made it so. Entertaining none-the-less. Great characters and great situations to put them thru the wringer. DOA is quite good.

“Beat the Devil” is fantastic, although it only qualifies as “noir” because someone thought Bogart’s presence made it so.

Entertaining none-the-less. Great characters and great situations to put them thru the wringer.

]]> By: Brian http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607420 Brian Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607420 Detour is amazing. My favorite film noir is OUT OF THE PAST. Just incredible. Detour is amazing.

My favorite film noir is OUT OF THE PAST. Just incredible.

]]> By: theatrechik77 http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-608449 theatrechik77 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-608449 Detour is actually available at Netflix. Its title is listed as "Film Noir Collection: Detour." Its been in my (long) queue for a bit - maybe I'll move it to the top. Detour is actually available at Netflix. Its title is listed as “Film Noir Collection: Detour.” Its been in my (long) queue for a bit – maybe I’ll move it to the top.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-725206 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-725206 I liked a lot of the movies featured on this site http://www.bnwmovies.com The thing which makes it better is the extremely simple and easy navigation. I liked a lot of the movies featured on this site http://www.bnwmovies.com
The thing which makes it better is the extremely simple and easy navigation.

]]> By: dhc http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-636886 dhc Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-636886 Just an fyi, I've created a longer list of the classic films that you'll find on the Internet Archive and elsewhere. It can be sometimes hard to see what they have, so I gathered it all together here. http://www.openculture.com/2009/11/free_movies_online.html Wikipedia also has a helpful list of films in the public domain: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_in_the_public_domain_in_the_United_States Cheers, Dan Just an fyi, I’ve created a longer list of the classic films that you’ll find on the Internet Archive and elsewhere. It can be sometimes hard to see what they have, so I gathered it all together here.

http://www.openculture.com/2009/11/free_movies_online.html

Wikipedia also has a helpful list of films in the public domain:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_in_the_public_domain_in_the_United_States

Cheers,
Dan

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-675566 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-675566 Yes Cause for alarm is here http://www.classiccinemaonline.com/1/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=174:cause-for-alarm-1951&catid=107:suspense-thriller&Itemid=412 Yes Cause for alarm is here

http://www.classiccinemaonline.com/1/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=174:cause-for-alarm-1951&catid=107:suspense-thriller&Itemid=412

]]> By: Ian Duckles http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607226 Ian Duckles Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607226 DOA is quite fun in which a man discovers that he has been poisoned and must solve his own murder before he dies. Scarlet Street is excellent as well, directed by the great Fritz Lang and starring one of my favorite actors from the period, Edward G. Robinson. I also remember liking the Strange Life of Martha Ivers, but I don't remember much about it. Unfortunately, Detour is the best of the bunch (one of my favorite noirs) and you have already seen that one. DOA is quite fun in which a man discovers that he has been poisoned and must solve his own murder before he dies.

Scarlet Street is excellent as well, directed by the great Fritz Lang and starring one of my favorite actors from the period, Edward G. Robinson.

I also remember liking the Strange Life of Martha Ivers, but I don’t remember much about it.

Unfortunately, Detour is the best of the bunch (one of my favorite noirs) and you have already seen that one.

]]> By: thoughtmecca http://boingboing.net/2009/10/07/public-domain-collec.html#comment-607738 thoughtmecca Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-607738 Kansas City Confidential is one of my favorite movies ever made. It's truly a masterful thriller and worth the watch. Kansas City Confidential is one of my favorite movies ever made. It’s truly a masterful thriller and worth the watch.

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