ASK EDDIE - May 1, 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 authors Ken Bruen, Dolores Hitchens, and Sara Paretsky; artist Robert McGinnis; and actor Darren McGavin. Additional topics: The Big Caper (1957) and Night has a Thousand Eyes (1948), and more. Timestamps and questions below.

0:00 Introduction
5:51 Question 1: Ken Bruen & Robert McGinnis—personal memories and impact
13:34 Question 2: Recommended titles from Sara Paretsky & Dolores Hitchens; women in crime fiction
27:30 Question 3: Books that should have been film noir
37:26 Question 4: Darren McGavin—film noir icon and Mike Hammer portrayal
43:29 Question 5: Greatest film noir scores & music in noir
57:43 Question 6: “The Big Caper” (1957)—impressions and noir status
1:01:30 Question 7: Best portrayals of psychopathic behavior in noir
1:06:35 Question 8: Is “Night Has a Thousand Eyes” film noir?
1:10:34 Question 9: John Cromwell’s “A Matter of Morals” and late career
1:14:29 Question 10: Anne’s crime fiction & writing; noir and horror crossover
1:29:18 Closing thoughts on horror, genre, and culture
1:31:42 Outro, plugs, and farewell

1. In March 2025, the world lost Ken Bruen and Robert McGinnis. I'd love to hear of any interactions you may have had with these artists and what impact do you think they had?
—Bill, Centreville, VA
2. Which titles, if any, would the two of you recommend from Sara Paretsky and Dolores Hitchens? It seems that the publishing industry has been more open to women than the movie industry has been. Do you think that is correct? If so, why?
—Joe from Suffolk County NY
3. Is there a book that either of you find incredible - that it was never made into film noir?
—Steve in Exeter NH here
4. I believe that Darren McGavin is one of the most underrated of film noir icons and I also think that he still remains the definitive Mike Hammer. What do the two of you think of McGavin's work?
—Doug, Silver Spring, MD
5. If you were to gather the greatest scores of Noir movies which ones would the cut for a collection? What would be the genre? 
—Carlton, Atlanta, GA
6. Have you seen “The Big Caper“ and if so, what did you think of it?
—Barbara
7. Were there any better portrayals of psychopathic behavior in noir as Edward G. Robinson’s Vincent Canelli from “Black Tuesday” and James Cagney’s Cody Jarrett from “White Heat”?
—Michael, Post Falls, Idaho
8. Do you consider “Night has a thousand Eyes” to be noir? 
—Chris
9. Have you watched John Cromwell's last film, “A Matter of Morals”, made in Sweden, released in 1960? Is it a noir? Do you have any guess why his two last films were B-movies made abroad from the United States.
—Janne, Stockholm, Sweden
10. Anne, have you penned your own crime fiction… or horror stories perhaps?
—Britt - Lynchburg, VA

Want your question answered in a future episode? We solicit questions from our email subscribers in our monthly newsletters. Sign up for free at https://www.filmnoirfoundation.org/si...
Contribute here to support our restoration efforts: https://www.filmnoirfoundation.org/co... Everyone who signs up on our email list and contributes $20 receives the digital version of NOIR CITY Magazine for a year.