"There never was a women like Gilda"

Rita Hayworth in Gilda (Charles Vidor, 1946), presents an iconic femme fatale in this classic film noir production. She possesses glamour with a seductive ambience. The soft lighting and back lit scenes of Hayworth strengthen this sexiness, vulnerable and wanton character.

With a character who became her, a signature role of iconic 40's glamour, Hayworth makes Gilda. Hayworth is Gilda. This rings true to her famous saying "every man I knew went to bed with Gilda... and woke up with me".

Gilda presents iconic aspects of film noir such as swirling cigarette smoke, shadows and stylised shots. Along with film noir themes such as love, hate, jealousy, money, betrayal and of course the femme fatale. Other more taboo themes are explored subtly such as sexuality.

A great film showcasing a true classic hollywood glamour star and iconic 40's film noir themes. As classic as films come.

"After dark all cats are leopards."-American Indian Proverb

Double Indemnity (1944-Billy Wilder) is a prime example of a classic film noir film. A story of greed, murder, violence, betrayal and suspicion told with a voice over, complete with femme fatale keeps the audience intrigued in the crime storyline. Film noir films are often influenced by expressionism, have a dark sombre feel because of the dark atmosphere visually. Film Noir techniques are expertly shown in this film. Visual techniques such as black and white photography, night settings, low-key lighting, high contrasts, close-ups, and extreme camera angles. Although today these techniques may seem cliched as so many films since have been influenced by these film noir techniques, Double Indemnity is a great film to see if, wanting to see an example of film noir or a fan of film noir.

"A world of obsession, alienation, corruption, deceit, blurred identity, paranoia, dementia, weak men, cold- blooded femme fatales, and inevitably murder. Its style consisted of looming close ups, oblique camera angles, and crowded compositions that produced a sense of entrapment. The film's narratives were rarely straightforward; they contained frequent flashbacks and voice-overs." "Characterized by sexual insecurity, aberrant psychology, and nightmarish camera work, film noir depicted a world of threatening shadows and ambiguities." (Digital History)

"This is the stuff that dreams are made out of"

One of the master's of, and said to be first, film noir films, The Maltese Falcon (John Huston, 1941) showcases Humpfrey Bogart in his classic and well-known style along with Casablanca (1942).

Humphrey Bogart, as the tough hero, fits the role perfectly as though it was made for him. The unpredictable character always knowing what to say and producing a witty comeback. Bogart along with the rest of the cast carry this character driven and dialogue based story.

Huston's direction is carefully thought out delivering typical film noir aspects. The film encompasses many film noir techniques including stylised, high contrast and shadowy shots, a seedy setting and detective and femme fatale characters. Ending with a stereotypical film noir shadow shot of Astor, the lift shadows creating jail-like bars.

A must see for iconic Bogart, Film noir and history of film.