ASK EDDIE - January 9, 2025

FNF prez Eddie Muller responds to film noir fan questions fielded by the Foundation's Director of Communications Anne Hockens. In this edition, we discuss “Le Trou”, “The Killers”, “I Walk Alone”, as well as the noir credentials of “The Whistler” film series and “Man in the Net”. We also answer the question, “Who do you think was the best overall film noir actor?” We wrap up the show discussing what we’ve been reading and watching including the Ripley novels, Lars von Trier’s “The Kingdom”, “Joker: Folie à Deux”, and revisit “The Substance” from Eddie’s P.O.V. Timestamps and questions below:

00:00 Intro: holiday recovery, “Bad Santa” screening, Noir City Christmas recap
18:35 Q1: “Le Trou” – accuracy of escape events and realism of guard inattention
23:49 Q2: Noir films set during holidays besides “Repeat Performance”?
28:57 Q3: Writers behind “The Killers” – Anthony Veiller, John Huston, Richard Brooks
32:19 Q4: Was there a true noir movement outside the USA?
36:33 Q5: Any love for “I Walk Alone”?
44:04 Q6: Are “Chicago”, “Carousel”, “King Creole”, etc., noir musicals?
50:46 Q7: Has anyone compiled music scenes or signature noir songs?
56:15 Q8: Are “The Whistler” films considered noir?
1:00:58 Q9: Is “Man in the Net” noir? Can only part of a film be noir?
1:06:11 Q10: Who was the best overall film noir actor?
1:11:26 Closing remarks: Bogart’s legacy, noir archetypes, and Sam Spade’s moral ambiguity

This week’s questions:
1. I have two questions about “Le Trou” (“The Hole”).
(a) Is there good information on whether the film captured exactly what happened in the escape attempt?
(b)  The film suggests the prisoners made a large amount of noise in the process of trying to dig their way out. the prison guards and management that oblivious to what was happening?
-Ed Kean, Washington, D.C.
2. "Repeat Performance" is closely tied to New Year's Eve. Can either of you recommend classic film noirs that coincide with other holidays?
-Ken, from Oklahoma 
3. When I was a much younger man, I watched The Killers . I remember being taken aback by the film's ending and the inventiveness of screenwriter Anthony Veiller. IMDB lists John Huston and Richard Brooks as uncredited writers. Can you share any information about the collaboration?
-Joe from Suffolk County, NY
4. Outside the USA , was there a true noir movement, where a set of studios are making over ten films each?
-Richard, New York
5. Any love for “I Walk Alone”? 
-Dennis
6. I did some research and found a number of films that I think qualify as noir musicals. Throw them by Eddie and see what he thinks. The best noir musical is 'Chicago". You also have "Carousel", “King Creole", "Robin And The Seven Hoods", "The Cotton Club" , and the "children's" noir musical, "Bugsy Malone".
-Loren from Chicago
7. Is there a compilation of songs that are in all or most of noir films? Has anybody put together song scenes ?
-Bud
8. Do you consider The Whistler series noir or not?
-Liz, Hillsdale, NY
9. Do you think “Man In the Net” is a film noir? Do you think that a part of a film can be noir, while the rest of the film is not, or only slightly?
-Janne, Stockholm, Sweden
10. Who do you think was the best overall film noir actor?
-Dan

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