Shadows of Noir

We are joined by Clay McCormack from The Rotten Horror Picture Show for our very first guest episode. Clay’s podcast experience and film knowledge is extensive, and together we discuss the nuances of an essential film noir, Kiss Me Deadly. We dive into the literary background, the adaption to the screen, the character of Mike Hammer, and several other aspects of the film. We also compare it to sev...

Join us as we venture into the public domain and discuss the widely available 1950 film, D.O.A. Film noir cornerstone star Edmond O'Brien leads the way in this thriller-like noir, that balances late 1940's on-location realism with earlier expressionist roots. Complete with a puzzling plot that demands your full attention, and intriguing themes that are indicative of larger film noir ques...

After a quick holiday break, we’re starting 2024 off right with the 1949 masterpiece, The Third Man . Join us as we first discuss film noir’s expansion beyond the borders of the United States in the latter half of the 1940s. Then explore the narrative structure, camerawork, lighting, acting performances, and musical score of The Third Man . We finish up by noting some differing perspectives on the...

It's holiday season, and what better film to talk about than It’s a Wonderful Life . The movie that has inspired millions and holds a special place in so many people’s hearts. But why discuss a movie like that in a noir podcast? Well, tune in and find out! We talk all about the film noir within It’s a Wonderful Life, and the impact it may very well have had on the lasting legacy of the movie....

With the release of The Maltese Falcon in October 1941, where was the newly budding innovation of film noir to go? Well, less than two months later, the United States, where film noir was emerging, would enter World War II. A world event that influenced film noir's early years, later years, and also the relationship between the movie-going public and darker subject matters. So join us as we b...

We reserved discussion about The Maltese Falcon in Episode 2 because we thought it was the perfect film to do our first deep dive on. In this episode we discuss the background of The Maltese Falcon and then shift more into the world of film analysis. We discuss the story, the characters, the themes, certain scenes, and the cinematic aspects, before rounding out it out with the legacy and place tha...

In this episode, we take a detailed look at the birth of film noir.  We set the stage and then zoom in on the major innovations of 1940 and 1941 that pushed filmmaking from more established conventions, into the newly forming territory of film noir. Several filmmakers and individual movies are discussed, and how they collectively helped  cultivate the beginning of film noir's classic era. Che...

Head on over to Episode 10 for a revised and expanded version of What is Film Noir?! Support the show

Welcome to the Shadows of Noir podcast. A place for movie fans to discover, learn, and discuss all things film noir. Support the show