ASK EDDIE - October 30, 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 how the Film Noir Foundation picks its projects, “Detour”, regional noirs, “Marlowe” (1969), and more. We wind up the questions with a discussion of various classic noirs and their remakes, specifically which version we prefer. The lightning round returns, as well as the “Latest Viewing” and “Latest Reading” segments to wrap up the show. On the cat front, Emily makes a cameo, and Eddie discusses the cat in his life. Submitted questions and timestamps:

00:00 Upcoming podcast All the Film Things, "Good Boy", Springsteen and bio flicks
10:11 Q1: How lost films are found and restored
17:42 Q2: Plans for more Argentine noir restorations
19:21 Q3: Most noir-feeling hotel in San Francisco - Eddie's jacket
23:36 Q4: Most timeless classic-era noir story
27:52 Q5: "Detour" – Did Al murder Sue and others?
32:39 Q6: Are there regional noirs beyond NY and CA?

Lightning Round:
34:04 How many times is Philip Marlowe knocked unconscious?
35:31 Where to find a list of Eddie's DVD commentaries?
36:09 Most and least realistic boxing noir?
38:05 Is “Blow Up” a film noir?
38:54 Is “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia” a neo-noir?

40:00 Q7: Why is Woolrich’s fiction hard to find in print?
45:09 Q8: Any love for the James Garner "Marlowe" (1969)?
49:04 Q9: Please comment on "The Square Jungle"
52:22 Q10: What noir films are better -- classic original vs remake?

01:17:09 Latest Viewing: "No Other Choice," "My Father's Shadow," "The Wailing," showing noir films at the the Morelia International Film Festival
01:24:23 Wrap-up and Happy Halloween!

This week’s questions:
1. How does one go about finding and restoring a potentially lost film? Is there a particular lost film that is the "holy grail" for you and other film preservationists?
—Dave and Fiona
2. I'm wondering if you have plans to restore anymore Argentine noirs?
—Matt
3. What's the most noir-feeling hotel in Fog City?
—Gonzo
4. Is there a film noir from the classic era that you would cite as being the most timeless in terms of its story?
—Ken from Oklahoma
5. This time watching “Detour” it struck me that Al might have snapped when his Sue left him for Hollywood Al murdered Sue and all the others. Thoughts? 
—Max, Concord, CA
6. Is there a difference between regional noirs? Are there noirs from locations other than New York or California?
-—Vikki and Erik, Nebraska

LIGHTNING ROUND
Has anyone cataloged the number of times our Philip Marlowe is sapped into unconsciousness in the stories and novels? —Er-H
Is there a way to get a definitive list of Eddie’s DVD commentaries?
—NB
Which boxing noirs succeed most in verisimilitude? Conversely, which noir is least realistic?
—Jerome from Portland
Is it remotely possible that the movie “Blow Up” can be considered a Film Noir?
—Craig
Do you agree that “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia” is a neo noir?
—Richard

7. It's well known that Woolrich was a source of many films. Why is his fiction so hard to find in print?
—Byron, Oak Park, IL
8. Any love for the James Garner “Marlowe” (1969)?
—Dennis
9. Please comment on “Square Jungle”.
—Brian in Toronto
10. What noir films are better, the classic original or their "re-do"? 
—John, Los Alamos, NM

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