ASK EDDIE - April 3, 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 our opinion on 35mm prints vs DCP, David Mamet’s memoir “Everywhere an Oink, Oink”, “Witness to Murder”, which non-noir movies had the most noir cast, and more. Eddie also answers the inquiry, “I would love to know how your interactions with the extraordinary women you wrote about in “Dark City Dames” changed you as a person.“ On the cat front, prizefighter Elly makes an appearance. Timestamps and questions below.

0:00 Glasses, cat chaos, and memories of Marin County
3:19 Q1: do you ever get nervous before interviewing a celeb or facing a large live audience?
9:02 Q2: how do hard-boiled novels like "Build My Gallows High" fall out of print, and who’s working to restore them?
14:10 Q3: what’s your opinion on 35mm prints vs DCP for film exhibition?
23:15 Q4: did you enjoy Mamet’s memoir "Everywhere an Oink Oink," and are more Modern Noir Masters planned?
34:38 Q5: thoughts on the films "Witness to Murder" (1954) and "The Flesh Merchant" (1956)?
36:28 Q6: what are the most unusual professions of lead characters in noir?
44:52 Q7: what are your favorite noir titles that have little or no connection to the plot?
50:01 Q8: are there any noir scenes that just make you laugh?
56:00 Q9: which non-noir movies have the most noir cast, or could’ve been noir based on casting alone?
59:14 Q10: how did your interactions with the women in "Dark City Dames" change you personally?
1:08:35 Q11: any plans for a "Kitty Feral" follow-up—and is "Raymond Purr" the perfect noir cat name?
1:11:31 Plans for future episodes, festival travel, and the fight against monetizing everything

This week’s questions:
1. Eddie, do you ever get nervous before interviewing a celeb before a large live audience?
—Alan, San Anselmo, CA
2. How do “Build My Gallows High” and other hard-boiled fiction fall out of print? How would you compare the mission of The Film Noir Foundation with that of The Library of America? Are there other organizations or individuals working to get hard-boiled and other noir related fiction back into print?
—Joe from Suffolk County, NY
3. What is your opinion on 35mm prints versus DCP in terms of exhibition? 
—David, Carmel Valley, CA
4. First, did you enjoy David Mamet’s recent memoir “Everywhere an Oink Oink”? Of course, the Film Noir Foundation gave Mamet the Modern Noir Master Award in 2020. And, second, do you have any plans to recognize additional Modern Noir Masters?
—Kingpin Johnny, Doylestown, PA
5. “Witness to Murder” (1954) is a wild murder yarn with Barbara Stanwyck, George Sanders, and Gary Merrill, giving it their all. “The Flesh Merchant” (1956) is a racy low-budget cautionary exploitation flick with female nudity. Does Eddie have thoughts on these? 
—Darryl
6. What do you think are the most unusual professions of lead characters in classic (or not so classic) films noir?
Bill, Winnipeg "Home of Guy Maddin" Manitoba
7. What are a few favorite titles lacking any correlation to the movie's plot? 
—Joe on Long Island 
8. Can you recall any Noir movies/scenes can just make you laugh?
—Kevin
9. Are there any films in the 40s and 50s that are far from what one would consider NOIR, but have a cast that would have made a great NOIR film?
—Doug of Doug and Laura fame & What non-Noir movie has the most Noir cast?
Carlton, Atlanta GA
10. I would love to know how your interactions with the extraordinary women you wrote about in “Dark City Dames” changed you as a person. 
—Britt - Lynchburg, VA

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