The Film Noir Classic Collection Vol. 5 Review And Giveaway

The past several years have seen a resurgence in interest in the Film Noir genre, not just in recreations via a host of films, but in the classics that started it all. That interest has spawned a series of releases on DVD, and The Film Noir Classic Collection Vol. 5 is filled with treats.

You might expect that we would be reaching by the time we got to the fifth installment, a set with eight films, but in some sense the opposite may be true here.

While not the biggest names in the genre, the set gives us some true favorites, as well as some great actors.

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Cornered (1945):

From England to continental Europe to Buenos Aires, ex-RCAF pilot Dick Powell stalks the Nazi collaborator who murdered his bride. But one fact constantly surfaces during his quest: no one can describe the mysterious man. Joining Powell in the film shadows are the director and other key talent behind Murder, My Sweet of the year before.

Includes the trailer as a bonus.

B&W 4x3 1.37 standard aspect ratio

Desperate (1947):

Desperate is the first of seven atmospheric noirs directed by Anthony Mann. Steve Brodie is a postwar every man who accepts what he thinks is an honest trucking job, only to find he’s the driver in a botched heist that puts Brodie and his bride (Audrey Long) on the run from the cops and the cons who planned the job (including chief thug Raymond Burr).

B&W 4x3 1.37 standard aspect ratio

The Phenix City Story (1955):

Corruption, brutality and vice plagued Phenix City, Alabama, for 100 years, so who would dare to change it? Based on real-life events and filmed on location in what was called Sin City USA, director Phil Karlson’s semi-documentary tells the jolting tale of those who risked their lives to bring the burg’s syndicate of thugs and murderers to justice.

B&W 16x9 Widescreen 1.77

Dial 1119 (1950):

An asylum inmate escapes to the city, where he takes hostages at a local dive, guns down a bar employee and warns authorities his captives will be next if the doctor whose testimony first put him away doesn’t arrive within the hour. A bit of casting irony goes with the movie’s then-novel use of TV news coverage: actors Marshall Thompson, William Conrad, Keefe Brasselle and Leon Ames would have significant career ventures in television.

Includes Dial 1119 theatrical trailer.

B&W 4x3 1.37 standard aspect ratio

Armored Car Robbery (1950):

Richard Fleischer directs this brute-force milestone about a deadly heist and the battle of wits and firepower between a fugitive gangster (William Talman) and his stripper moll (Adele Jergens) and a bulldog cop (Charles McGraw), out to avenge his partner’s death, who uses hidden microphones, lab work and his own well-honed instincts to close the net.

B&W 4x3 1.37 standard aspect ratio

Crime in the Streets (1956):

Following a turf rumble with a rival group, a street gang leader (John Cassavetes) tells his gang to do what they’ve never done before: kill a snitch. Reginald Rose wrote and Don Siegel directs a jazz-riffing screen version of a tale first seen on TV and co-starring James Whitmore and Sal Mineo.

B&W 16x9 Widescreen 1.77

Deadline At Dawn (1946):

A gangster’s sister lies dead. All clues point to sailor Bill Williams as the murderer. Slated to depart for duty at dawn, the swabbie, aided by good-hearted dime-a-dancer Susan Hayward and affable cabbie Paul Lukas, has mere hours to prove his innocence. The tangy Clifford Odets script is based on a novel by William Irish (pseudonym of Cornell Woolrich).

B&W 4x3 1.37 standard aspect ratio

Backfire (1950):

Vincent Sherman directs this gripping yarn about recovering war veteran Gordon MacRae’s quest to prove pal Edmond O’Brien innocent of murder. Aiding him is his resourceful nurse Virginia Mayo. And a secretive doctor, a lively undertaker, a desperate gambler, a dying witness and a haunting Viennese melody all lead them to a shocking climax.

B&W 4x3 1.37 standard aspect ratio

Check out a couple of clips from the set.

Own it on DVD today!

Win it!

Leave a comment below, and you are automatically entered to win your very own copy of the DVD release. U.S. only. Winner will be randomly selected on August 20th.

Check out the official site

Get the inside scoop on WB movie & DVD releases! www.wbreelnews.com

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About Marc Eastman

Marc Eastman is the owner and operator of Are You Screening? and has been writing film reviews for over a decade, and several branches of the internet's film review world have seen his name. His reviews have brought him personal praise from the director of a major motion picture, and have been used as required reading in a course at a major University. These priceless rewards, along with just bags of cash, keep him from straying from freelance writing. He is also a member of The Broadcast Film Critics Association and The Broadcast Television Journalists Association.

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  • socialison

    This looks awesome!

  • http://www.spiral16.com/ Eric Melin

    Hell yes! I've been waiting for a decent copy of Deadline at Dawn for a long time–I own all four of the other volumes and am VERY EXCITED for this one!

  • Kris S

    Haven't watched any of these, so winning it is a promise of 8 treats in one .

  • Jonc

    Glad to see another addition to The WB Film Noir series, looks great

  • Daniel M

    just rediscovered how much i like noir

  • Kitten With A Whiplash

    Please enter me, I'd love to have this collection. Thanks for the giveaway.

  • Sally Kim

    I would love to see these films. Thanks for the wonderful post!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Laura-DeLuca/1058178598 Laura DeLuca

    I love old movies

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/SXI2NTZWIABVXE4MMCLAL7TGVM PeterD

    This looks great. Thanks.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=698775351 facebook-698775351

    I own the first four sets and am looking forward to watching this one.

  • giggsy

    Not only is the selection in this set not 'reaching', it may be better than previous sets in this line. Keep it coming, WB.

  • vondrake

    seems cool!

  • Anonymous

    The classic film fan in our family would love this DVD

  • Dchandler1

    Deadline at Dawn ! Yes !

  • Lindsay15photo
  • Anonymous

    I like to watch old movies and classic movies, but have not seen any of these films … yet

  • Neil

    More “black” & white fun! I love this give away.