Notes From The Best
Noir Film Festival
In The World

What could be better than going to a noir film festival at the magnificent and historic Castro Theater on a dark and rainy night in San Francisco? Answer: When it's packed to the brim (balcony included) with 1400 film noir fans.

Opening night Friday of Noir City 6 featured two films with Joan Leslie, who appeared on stage between the films in shimmering emerald green with sparkling earrings. A man in the audience shouted loud and clear, "You...look...beautiful!!"

In the sweetest voice, she told us of her history as a young actress working with great male stars such as Gary Cooper, Humphrey Bogart and John Wayne. She told us how she fought to break away from Warner Bros. so she could get better roles. The entire noir film festival Castro audience stood up to sing Happy Birthday to her.

The two films were Repeat Performance and The Hard Way, both compelling in totally different ways. Film Noir Foundation's Eddie Muller introduced Repeat Performance and told us how the print sent to the festival was unwatchable. When he sent out a plea to film noir collectors, not one but 2 people, both Bay Area locals, came forth with a print of this rare film.

And I thought how fantastic it was that a nearly full house could still enjoy an old film print of dodgy quality, not high def, not Stereo Surround Sound, not even Technicolor. And here in this beautifully restored movie palace to boot. My friend and I walked 12 blocks in the rain (with umbrellas) to get to the theater, (preferable to driving and parking) and I wouldn't have had it any other way, even if I'd had a pristine HD print on DVD to watch in the comfort of home.

On both Friday and Saturday nights, the line to the women's restroom went halfway down the aisle of the theater, while the line to the snack bar went half way up the stairs to the mezzanine. Luckily, the mighty Wurlitzer organ was being played throughout the evening intermissions.

Additionally, there were books on film noir and crime fiction being sold up in the mezzanine. A reception was held Friday night and a book signing on Saturday night.

On Saturday, The Prowler played, followed by Gun Crazy, both written by blacklisted Dalton Trumbo. Before The Prowler, famed author James Ellroy got on stage and pummelled the audience with what I think was noir poetry and it was brilliant, dark and uproarious all at the same time. At age 59, that man is bristling with energy and vigor!

Between the two films, the audience was treated to a 20 minute short directed by Eddie Muller. It's called The Grand Inquisitor and featured 90 year old Marsha Hunt, who still gives an amazingly powerful performance as the wife of the Zodiac Killer. Between films, Marsha spoke to the audience for a bit about her work on the film.

Sunday, we saw two films featuring the tragically beautiful Gail Russell. The first was Frank Borzage's Moonrise, and the second was a new print of The Night Has 1000 Eyes, with Edgar G. Robinson as gripping as ever.

Eddie Muller again came on the stage between films to fill us in with fascinating details about the films. The noir film festival continued all week and through the next weekend, but unfortunately I couldn't stay.

Can't wait till next year though.

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