tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post2951997516572602007..comments2024-03-08T18:49:51.289-05:00Comments on Classic Film and TV Café: Robert Mitchum faces his shadowy former life in "Out of the Past"Rick29http://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-3822889045586007772012-05-07T23:24:26.796-04:002012-05-07T23:24:26.796-04:00My nominee for best film noir (arguably) and Greer...My nominee for best film noir (arguably) and Greer is my pick for the second-wickedest femme fatale (coming in just behind Ava Gardner's Kitty in "The Killers"). An outstanding film in every category.Ace89https://www.blogger.com/profile/10910988855113730739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-10286600301092557032010-06-03T22:53:32.566-04:002010-06-03T22:53:32.566-04:00Something that's special to me is that the &qu...Something that's special to me is that the "small town" is a town in the Sierras where I've spent a week every summer since I was a small child (we camp near the lake seen in the film) -- Bridgeport, CA. There's a great video on YouTube comparing the film clips with the actual locations:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGyNinWZJVA<br /><br />Best wishes,<br />LauraLaurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09626109831176745957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-59756278015876252882010-06-03T16:29:39.273-04:002010-06-03T16:29:39.273-04:00Sark, you have opened the door into the world of f...Sark, you have opened the door into the world of film noir with evocative precision. Shadows and past mistakes are indeed haunting. The shot of Mitchum walking down the corridor reminded me of Musuraka's earlier work in "The 7th Victim". "Out of the Past" boasts two trifectas. One is in performance and has Mitchum, Greer, and Douglas. And the other is for technique and has Tourneur, Musuraka, and Roy Webb (music). Excellent article, Sark, and expertly written.toto2https://www.blogger.com/profile/09652682900471649463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-26077169203157989522010-06-02T16:16:38.167-04:002010-06-02T16:16:38.167-04:00Nice work, Sark, on a noir classic. Tourneur achie...Nice work, Sark, on a noir classic. Tourneur achieved a look and mood that is irresistible, and was blessed with three equally matched stars - Mitchum, Douglas and Greer - who more than fleshed out their characters.<br />Against All Odds didn't measure up (the odds were against it) despite the presence of another noir icon, Richard Widmark, and a villain nicely evoked by James Woods. Jane Greer's cameo was a clever touch.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-14424432868977076392010-06-02T15:34:48.987-04:002010-06-02T15:34:48.987-04:00Sark, this is a very informative review. I don...Sark, this is a very informative review. I don't recall having seen this film. The plot sounds intriguing, however, so I need to find this on Netflix. Always enjoy reading your posts.Akihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03037507780056714337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-18902578193888211782010-06-02T10:31:31.031-04:002010-06-02T10:31:31.031-04:00Sark, I loved your Awesome review!! I also really ...Sark, I loved your Awesome review!! I also really enjoyed, for lack of a better word, humorous at times dialog and the twists and turns of this wonderful film noir. I thought Robert Mitchum's mixed up character very intriguing. And Jane Greer is very good as the bad girl. As you know by now.. I love "Film Noirs", so this months Café’s Film Noir Festival for June, is right up my dark alley (wink/wink).Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476174860119487509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-40843623865312199462010-06-02T10:00:11.382-04:002010-06-02T10:00:11.382-04:00Sark, Good post on one of my favorite Film Noir .Sark, Good post on one of my favorite Film Noir .Paul 2https://www.blogger.com/profile/11500682719536011343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-54565932563429276642010-06-02T09:36:16.764-04:002010-06-02T09:36:16.764-04:00Rick hit it -- your writing about light and shadow...Rick hit it -- your writing about light and shadow was insightful and knowledgeable. And I was interested to know about Mitchum's raincoat and the change from dark to light. That's one of those wonderful film techniques that definitely affects you, but isn't necessarily consciously noticed. It was a kick to learn that so many of the Val Lewton crowd were involved in this movie. I am a great fan of Lewton's movies, and cannot stop myself from watching them whenever they are on. The shadows and suspense, the feeding of the audience's own fears without need of expensive effects -- perhaps Lewton was the film noir pioneer of horror movies! Great write-up, Sark. Now I have to get my copy of Out Of The Past out and watch it today. Hmmm....Mitchum in a raincoat and slanted hat, heavy-lidded eyes ... I sure wish men still dressed like that!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-78660806211444914242010-06-02T07:09:55.984-04:002010-06-02T07:09:55.984-04:00Sark, what an outstanding way to kick off the Café...Sark, what an outstanding way to kick off the Café’s Film Noir Festival for June! I love your in-depth analysis on how Tourneur uses lighting to contrast Jeff’s two lives (the one with Ann and the one with Kathie). And I couldn’t agree more that Jane Greer is the quintessential femme fatale! If I had to pick one favorite film noir, it’d be a toss-up between OUT OF THE PAST and LAURA. While there is much to enjoy in OUT OF THE PAST (e.g., Jane Greer…well, all the performances), my favorite scenes are the ones at the beginning of the film. I really like how we’re introduced to Jeff’s seemingly mundane existence as a gas station operator in a small town. It’s a quiet life, but Jeff seems to have found peace—and love—after putting a dark past behind him. But then, by pure chance, evil passes through town and Jeff’s idyllic existence is put at risk. He has no choice but to take the actions he does; he cannot escape his past. He’s almost like the reformed gunslinger in a Western who has found redemption with the honest farm family, but has to strap on his guns again to protect his newfound existence. Again, this was an excellent film noir pick and an awesome review.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-24148532473696134872010-06-02T07:05:53.367-04:002010-06-02T07:05:53.367-04:00Great review, Sark. I really enjoy Douglas in this...Great review, Sark. I really enjoy Douglas in this picture. His character just oozes smarm. As usual, Mitchum is especially effective as a man with a past.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.com