|
Search DVDBeaver |
S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
 |
Forgotten Noir, Vol. 2
| Comments: |
Volume 2 of VCI's Forgotten Film Noir series includes Loan Shark and Arson, Inc. . Short take: I think these two films are appropriate for being listed as Film Noir although Arson, Inc. is probably on the outside edge. Both support a shadowy atmosphere with crime the main plot element, and some hints of thriller-dom mood. Loan Shark seems to be highly rated, but I think I enjoyed Arson, Inc. a bit more not being a huge Raft fan. Both films share the 'under-cover' aspect by the protagonist. They both hold together adequately and its great to have them available digitally to add to the ever-growing Noir library. From the Kit Parker Collection DVD-ophiles will not be expecting much from one of these cheapo Double Featured discs. I've made my individual assessments below. |
Directed by Seymour Friedman
UK 1952
|
A noir-labled thriller with George Raft about an ex-convict trying to expose a brutal loan-shark racket. Joe Gargen (Raft) is an ex-prize fighter released from prison after serving three years for dangerously beating a man in public. He goes to live with his sister Martha and husband Ed Haines. To add some spice - his fists are now legally considered as dangerous weapons. In the apartment where he is staying, the next door neighbor Ann Nelson (Dorothy Hart) is secretary at the Delta Tire Company where she uses some pull to get Joe a job. Once 'in' he's requested to help destroy a loan-sharking racket preying upon the employees of the plant.
Overall director Seymour Friedman's pace is uneven and the high points don't gel with the low in this, rather, unbelievable drama - Raft was certainly in better films. It has the noir atmosphere and some of the stylistic charm, but tends to fall a little short of expectations. For Noir buffs it is worth seeing though. Gary W. Tooze |
Posters
 |
 |
Theatrical Release: May 23rd, 1952
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: VCI Video - Region 0 - NTSC
| DVD Box Cover |
|
CLICK to order from:
|
 |
The Forgotten Noir Collector's Set (Vol 1-3) contains
Portland Exposé, Arson, Inc.,
Loan Shark,
Shoot To Kill,
They Were So Young and
The
Shadow Man. It is a substantial savings but we are unsure of the
packaging.
|
|
| Distribution | VCI Video - Region 0 - NTSC | |
| Runtime | 1:19:33 | |
| Video | 1.33:1
Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.54 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
|
|
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
||
| Bitrate: |
|
|
| Audio | English (Dolby Digital 2.0) | |
| Subtitles | None | |
| Features |
Release Information: Edition Details:
• Commentary |
|
| Comments: |
This film shares the dual-layered (at about 5.97 Gig) with its commentary, supplements, 'Arson Inc.' and its extras. The transfer is interlaced but combing is not strongly prevalent. I expect some contrast boosting has gone on as well. Not a lot of damage but the negative was pretty dirty. You may notice some Chroma poping up here and there. Audio is relatively consistent and there are no optional subtitles. As it stand the price is the final word and for Noir devotees it again has reasonably value. There is a commentary by Richard M. Roberts - very laid back, but he imparts a lot of knowledge on the bit players and some of the locales. A bit soft-spoken and full of gaps, I don't fault his attempt as I do appreciate it, but one shouldn't expect the level of commentaries by Eddie Muller or Alain Silver. Add to that VCI's usual collection of trailers and text screen bios. NOTE: The case artwork is pretty good and we still don't have word on how the packaging of the Vol. 1-3 stacks up - hopefully much better than VCI's Hammer Noirs set. Buying in the 3-pack will save you some money. |
DVD Menus
 |
 |
 |
 |
Screen Captures
.jpg) |
.jpg) |
.jpg) |
 |
Directed by William A. Berke
USA 1949
Director William Berke is a veteran of the low-budget action cinema of the 40's (westerns, serial and occasional crime vehicles). He handles the plot in fine form - adeptly covering all areas with fine pacing imparting a dark atmosphere. Robert Lowery plays Joe Martin - a fire investigator who goes undercover to break the arson/insurance fraud ring masterminded by Fred Fender (Douglas Fowley).
It might have been hard for the principles to visualize that 50 years later we'd be commenting on efforts from the Lippert catalogue - so be it. This has the simplistic charm and style, with inventive camera angles, to be a worthy entry into the Noir library. Pretty good, even if not 'great', cinema - definitely worth a spin.
Gary W. Tooze
Poster
 |
 |
 |
 |
Theatrical Release: June 24th, 1949
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: VCI Video - Region 0 - NTSC
| DVD Box Cover |
|
CLICK to order from:
|
|
|
The Forgotten Noir Collector's Set (Vol 1-3) contains
Portland Exposé, Arson, Inc., Loan Shark,
Shoot To Kill,
They Were So Young and
The
Shadow Man. It is a substantial savings but we are unsure of the
packaging.
|
|
| Distribution | VCI Video - Region 0 - NTSC | |
| Runtime | 1:00:34 | |
| Video | 1.33:1
Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.54 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
|
|
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
||
| Bitrate: |
|
|
| Audio | English (Dolby Digital 2.0) | |
| Subtitles | None | |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: VCI Video Aspect Ratio: Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Inside Lippert
Part 1 |
|
| Comments: |
This film shares the dual-layered (at about 5.97 Gig) with 'Loan Shark' and its extras. The transfer is yet another interlaced job with minor 'combing' in horizontal pans. It, surprisingly, has decent contrast and looks superior to Loan Shark, but I did notice some hesitation spots that I cannot verify if it was only my disc. Audio is a bit up-and-down and there are no optional subtitles. As it stands the price is the final word and it has reasonably value - too good for Noir fans to pass up. VCI may be giving us lack-luster transfers but it is exciting enough having these films available, with some attempted extras, at such a reasonable price. This has 'Inside Lippert' part 1 (part 2 follows as an extra on Street of Shadows on Forgotten Noir 3) which is some imparted text screen (slideshow) dialogue from Robert L. Lippert Jr. . We have a few more bios and 2 trailers. NOTE: The case artwork is very good and we still don't have word on how the packaging of the Vol. 1-3 stacks up - hopefully much better than VCI's Hammer Noirs set. Buying in the 3-pack will save you some money. |
DVD Menus
|
|
.jpg) |
.jpg) |
.jpg) |
Screen Captures
 |
 |
 |
 |
Recommended Reading in Film Noir (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The Dark Side of the Screen: Film Noir by Foster Hirsch |
Somewhere in the Night: Film Noir and the American City by Nicholas Christopher |
Shades of Noir: A Reader by Joan Copjec |
The Art of Noir: The Posters and Graphics from the
Classic Era of Film Noir by Eddie Muller |
The Little Black and White Book of Film Noir:
Quotations from Films of the 40's and 50's by Peg Thompson, Saeko Usukawa |
Film Noir by Alain Silver |
Film Noir Guide: 745 Films of the Classic Era,
1940-1959 by Michael F. Keaney |
Detours and Lost Highways: A Map of Neo-Noir by Foster Hirsch |
| DVD Box Cover |
|
CLICK to order from:
|
| Distribution | VCI Video - Region 0 - NTSC | |
CLICK PayPal logo to donate!
|
Gary Tooze |
|
Thank You!
