Best Film Noir of All Time....

[Louise123]

What are you all time favourite female actresses in 1940s film noir?

Mine would have to be Rita Hayworth in Gilda, because of that dance sequence "Put the Blame on Mame Boys".

[Jonesy]

I'm answering the title of your post, rather than your actual post, because they are two completely different topics. My favourite film noir is The Killers. And no, it doesn't star Rita Hayworth.

[Louise123]

Why The Killers?

[Jonesy]

The fragmented narrative is clever, taking the use of flashbacks that one step further, the cinematography by Elwood Bredell is stunning, and of course it was the film that introduced Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner to the world.

[hawktheslayer]

Ralph Meeker exudes effortless cool as Mike Hammer who get shimself caught up in one hell of a case.
Aldrich's taut directions ensures that there is no let up on the thriller aspects of the story, but he also seems to have creative freedom enough to utilise long takes (the boxing club scene) and share his vision of the Mickey Spillane world.

There are so many other Film Noirs that I love: Double Indemnity blew me away when I first saw it, Scarlett Street is a little gem of a movie. The noir genre is so rich with not only the obvious style, but also the range of stories and how they are presented, e.g. the killers, crossplot, the postman rings twice, etc. To me, the narrative is comparable with movies like, the usual suspects, fight club, seven and more recently the girl with the dragon tattoo and Shutter Island - I like being treated with intelligence and, for me, that's where Noir hits the spot more often than not.

[irish]

Originally Posted by Jonesy

I'm answering the title of your post, rather than your actual post, because they are two completely different topics. My favourite film noir is The Killers. And no, it doesn't star Rita Hayworth.

I prefer the remake with Lee Marvin. Although I believe this one has one of the best opening sequences with William Conrad and Charles Mcgraw as the menacing hitmen.
As for the best one, I nominate two. One from the golden age of noir "The Maltese Falcon" and the other from more recent times:La confidentiel
M

[Jonesy]

Arguably to be a true film noir it has to be filmed in black and white; LA Confidential, whilst a good film, forsakes a lot of the traditional cinematography that sets noirs apart from other genres. The Maltese Falcon has elements of noir, but again isn't a true example of the genre.

[sdaniels]

How can Brick not have been mentioned yet... it is the best modern film noir. it's quick witted, sharp tongued and all with a hint of irony. failing that, Discworld noir gets my nod! it may not be a film, but is definitely noir... and if we are allowed to include games, both max payne games are equally excellent.

[Jonesy]

Originally Posted by sdaniels

How can Brick not have been mentioned yet... it is the best modern film noir. it's quick witted, sharp tongued and all with a hint of irony. failing that, Discworld noir gets my nod! it may not be a film, but is definitely noir... and if we are allowed to include games, both max payne games are equally excellent.

Brick is not a film noir. And to be honest, if we're discussing the best film noir of all time, then it's unlikely to be a film made in the last ten years. Of the modern noirs, Bladerunner, as mentioned by frank, is the only one really worth considering.

[irish]

Originally Posted by Jonesy

Arguably to be a true film noir it has to be filmed in black and white; LA Confidential, whilst a good film, forsakes a lot of the traditional cinematography that sets noirs apart from other genres. The Maltese Falcon has elements of noir, but again isn't a true example of the genre.

I would have to disagree with you on the colour thing.
Body heat imho must defitely be seen as film noir.