Harlem Nights

I. INTRODUCTION:

     In Harlem Nights, a policeman Phil Cantone is on a mission to make a profit from a popular illegal casino in Harlem that is doing pretty good, and taking away bussiness for other nearby clubs.

II. CHARACTERISTICS AND CONVETIONS OF THE FILM THAT LINK TI CLASSIC FILM NOIR

A. Violence and Crime
     1. Several people are killed
     2. Casino is burned down
     3. Clubs are rubbed for cash
B. Nervousness and anxiety in the atmosphere
C. Setting is like classic noir
     1. Darkness
     2. Shadows
     3. Lightning
D. Corrupt policem
E. Femme Fatale character

III. Elements of Film that link back to neo noir

A. Policeman is corrupt and serves as a detective
     1. More anti hero than hero
B. Criminals get away with their crimes
     1. Criminals get away with murder
     2. No one pays for their crimes
C. Black people are in this film
D. Film is in color

SOURCE #1:
According to Andy Willis in the article Neo-Noir , Willis believes "like the post war American society which produced the original cycle of noirs, neo-noir emerged from a moment of social anxiety and reflects a wider loss of faith in those charged with organizing and running society for the benefit of its members(pg.65 from the website film international).

SOURCE #2:
According to Mark T Conard in the article "The Philosophy of Neo Noir" conard states "In the neo noir universe, the lines between right and wrong and good and evil are blurred, and the detectives and the criminals frequently mirror each others most debilitating personality traits. The neo noir detective-- more anti hero than hero-- is frequently a morally compromised and spiritually shaken individual whose pursuit of a criminal masks the search for lost or unattainable aspects of the self ( from the website Mark T Conard).

blog entry #2

The Novel Double Indemnity written by James M. Cain, fits the various defintions of film noir. The specific aspects of Double Indemnity that causes me to classify it as a work associated with film noir is death, weird, cruel, evil, dark, developed around a male character(Mr.Huff), femme fatales(Mrs.Nirdlinger) In the article, "Towards a Definition of Film Noir," the authors Raymond Borde and Etienne Chaumeton state "film noir is [crime] from within; from the point of view of the criminal." The comment relates to the novel Double Indemnity. Double Indemnity's narrator Mr.Huff is the criminal. The story is told from his point of view. In the novel Double Indemnity Mr.Huff a insurance sales man is talking about how he drove out to Glendale to put three new truck drivers on a brewery company bond, when he remebered a renewal in Hollywoofland. "I decided to run ov there. That was how I came to thi House of Death, that you've been reading about in the papers(pg.3). After reading this I knew that this novel was going to be a film noir, I wasn't even passed the first page and death was already being brought up. In the novel Mr.Huff is talking to Mrs. Nirdlinger about her huband Mr.Nirdlinger's automobile insurance. "She talked along, and there was nothing I could do but go along with it. But you sell as msny peoplr as I do, you dont go by what they say. You feel it, how the deal is going. Anf after a while I knew this woman didn't care anything about the Automobile Club(pg6)". Mrs.Nirdlinger was only worried about automobile insurance its clear she has other reasons for making conversion. In the novel when Mr.Huff was talking to Mrs. Nirdlinger he felt a chill. "All of a sudden she looked at me, and I felt a chill creep straight up my back and into the roots of my hair...... Do you handle accident insurance(pg6)?" Mrs.Nirdlinger is only worried about accident insurance. Mrs.Nirdlinger is a femme fatales mysterious, manipulative and desperate. In the novel Mrs.Nirdlinger(Phyllis) and Mr.Huff are plotting to kill Mr.Nirdlinger. "Phyllis, you seem to think that because I can call it on you, you're not going to do it. You are going to do it, and I'm going to help you(pg17)". Mrs. Nirdlinger and Mr. Huff are both evil and corrupt characters, moral corrupt. In the novel Mrs.Nirdlinger talks about how her husband. " I haven't any reason. He treats me as well as a man can treat a women. I dont love him, but he's never done anything to me...... But theres simething in me that loves death(pg18)". Mrs. Nirdlinger has a lot of characteristics of a female fatal she double-crossing her husband and unloving. In the novel Mrs.Nirdlinger set up her husband, as they were on thrir way to the train station. "After a while she gave two sharp raps on the horn. Thatwas our signal that we had come to a dark street we had picked out, about a half mile from the station......We were right up with it, the moment of audacity that has to be part of any successful murder (pg44)". Mr.Huff murdered Mr.Nirdlinger for Mrs.Nirdlinger, the crime took place on a dark street, Mrs.Nirdlunger showed no emtion for her husband. Mr. Huff is now a murder because of Mrs.Nirdlinger. Mr.Huff let Mrs.Nirdlingers shape drive him nutts leading up to the murder of Mr.Nirdlinger at the end of chapter 8 Mr.Huff is started to get scared and his gult is taking over him, hes sicker tgen he ever been in his whole life, Double Indemnity is a film noir.

Responses to "Neo-Noir 90's"

In the article, Chris Paula of Warner Bros provides the following statement "the bulk of the audience who enjoys filmnoir are directors, film students, critics, and the most ardent, generally upscale film enthusiast." In additionmost noir films that Ansen discusses are independent films rather than big-budget studio blockbusters. I think noir seem to appeal to a limited audience today instead of enjoying a wider following because only certain people are attracted to and appreciate noir. In the article it mention that teenagers aren't interested in the 40's and 50's, I completely agree. Directors, film students and critics know how to appreciate noir. Noir are Classic black and white usually shadowy black and white. When I think of a noir film I think of an older film most people can't relate. A lot of people like drama, fiction, action, and scary movies a little bit of suspense but not mysteries. A lot of people can not follow along in a good mstery. Noir films will always attract a certain audiencei actors and actresses have a certain demeaner they are classy witty and far from your everyday actor/actress. The music and classic cars along with the rainy scenes make a noir film one of a kind.