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Post by morrisondylanfan on Jun 30, 2021 4:21:54 GMT
Hi all,a few days ago I got the chance to watch the first three films by Robert Siodmak. I was wondering what your favourite titles by Siodmak are? A trio I pick:  Looking For His Murderer (1931) Only having done one "Talkie" before this, Siodmak takes a huge leap in sketching out his Film Noir pessimism, with moody,high-contrast low-lighting, and moving the heavy- duty cameras of the era with an impressive flexibility.  People On Sunday (1930) The lone Silent movie he would make, Robert Siodmak makes his (co-) directing debut with Edgar G. Ulmer (also making his debut) for a beautiful tale with surreal flourishes following friends and lovers around real locations in Berlin, which act as a precursor to Italian Neo-Realism and the French New Wave. The film is on YT with Eng Subs (and one I really recommend to Fox in the Snow manfromplanetx & Bella ) Christmas Holiday (1944)  Starring a leading lady known for feel-good cheer, Siodmak takes advantage of the expectations, by smashing the festive cheer with his merry black tar Film Noir pessimism. Thanks. |
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Post by Fox in the Snow on Jun 30, 2021 8:47:46 GMT
Hi MDF. Think I've only seen three Siodmak films, Phantom Lady, The Killers and Criss Cross, all of which I enjoyed. I also really liked Steven Soderbergh's little seen remake of Criss Cross, The Underneath [1995].
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Post by manfromplanetx on Jun 30, 2021 9:12:02 GMT
Thanks MDF !! We re-watched just last week the French version Tumultes (1932) of the German film Stürme der Leidenschaft a dark out of character role for Charles Boyer overall we thought the filming was impressive darkly atmospheric but found the story a bit of a struggle. Quick (1932) Entertaining German comedy starring Lilian Harvey, Hans Albers and Paul Hörbiger. A separate French-language version was made, also directed by Siodmak and also stars actress singer Harvey...  They don't get any more noir than  An compelling dark German drama from 1957 Nachts, wenn der Teufel kam , The Devil Strikes at Night  |
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Post by timshelboy on Jun 30, 2021 11:25:31 GMT
He's a gift to noirhounds Not seen the first two and mixed on CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY (love this song though).  for link to PEOPLE ON SUNDAY - on my WANTS list! 
I have seen about 20 - mostly 1940s ones - and the following I'd "recommend" to varying degrees
Chronologically
PHANTOM LADY
COBRA WOMAN  (my "favourite")
THE KILLERS (probably his keeper)
THE DARK MIRROR (neglected twins melo)
THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE
CRY OF THE CITY (overrated but Hope emerson rules!)
CRISS CROSS - notably bleak even by Noir standards
THE LAST ROMAN was 3hr 2 parter telescoped into dubbed shorter version... good fun with Orson Welles, Laurence Harvey & Honor Blackman
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Post by politicidal on Jun 30, 2021 12:33:19 GMT
The films I’ve seen from him so far include:
The Killers 9/10
The Crimson Pirate 8/10
Cobra Woman 6/10
Criss Cross 6/10
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Post by spiderwort on Jun 30, 2021 13:28:55 GMT
I envy you, MDF. I haven't seen any of Siodmak's German films. But he made two American films that are among my favorites: the aforementioned THE KILLERS (probably his American keeper, yes), and the beautifully crafted THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE (1946).    Siodmak was a master at incorporating German expressionist techniques into his American films, enriching its noir canvas substantially. |
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Post by teleadm on Jun 30, 2021 18:45:53 GMT
For those interested, if you are interested in his later German films, Nachts wenn der Teufel kam aka The Devil Strikes at Night 1957 has just become available at YT, with English subtitles. It was Oscar Nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
"A serial killer strikes again during WWII in Germany. The wrong man is arrested and a detective hunts down the real killer. But justice in Nazi Germany is not so easily administered".
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Post by mikef6 on Jun 30, 2021 23:19:07 GMT
I’ve seen:
The Suspect (1944). In Victorian England, Charles Laughton is hounded by a determined inspector looking into the seemingly accidental death of Laughton’s wife.
Christmas Holiday (1944). A favorite Christmas movie of mine mainly because there is not much Christmas in it. Also, an evil Gene Kelly.
The Killers (1946). A noir masterpiece.
The Spiral Staircase (1946). Saw this early in life and it remains an Old Dark House favorite.
Cry Of The City (1948). A hidden crime gem that comes close to qualifying as a film noir of the first tier. Victor Mature and Richard Conte give riveting and totally committed performances as cop and crook.
Criss Cross (1949). Nobody does dark brooding better than Burt Lancaster. His ex Yvonne De Carlo lures him into an armored car robbery scheme. What could possibly go wrong? Great stuff.
The File On Thelma Jordan (1949). Barbara Stanwyck in another great film noir performance. This one is another underseen and appreciated Siodmak achievement.
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Post by morrisondylanfan on Jul 2, 2021 4:30:49 GMT
I envy you, MDF. I haven't seen any of Siodmak's German films. But he made two American films that are among my favorites: the aforementioned THE KILLERS (probably his American keeper, yes), and the beautifully crafted THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE (1946). Siodmak was a master at incorporating German expressionist techniques into his American films, enriching its noir canvas substantially. Those images you choose from Spiral are outstanding Spider! When they next have a sale on, I recommend the Kino Lorber Blu of The Man in Search of his Murderer/Looking For His Murderer,which along with the film,also has a detailed commentary. www.amazon.com/Man-Search-his-Murderer-Blu-ray/dp/B08VYKJ195
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Post by morrisondylanfan on Jul 4, 2021 3:38:39 GMT
He's a gift to noirhounds Not seen the first two and mixed on CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY (love this song though). for link to PEOPLE ON SUNDAY - on my WANTS list!
I have seen about 20 - mostly 1940s ones - and the following I'd "recommend" to varying degrees
Chronologically
PHANTOM LADY
COBRA WOMAN (my "favourite")
THE KILLERS (probably his keeper)
THE DARK MIRROR (neglected twins melo)
THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE
CRY OF THE CITY (overrated but Hope emerson rules!)
CRISS CROSS - notably bleak even by Noir standards
THE LAST ROMAN was 3hr 2 parter telescoped into dubbed shorter version... good fun with Orson Welles, Laurence Harvey & Honor Blackman
Hi Tim,I hope you are having a good weekend and thank you for the great list (I've just ordered the Arrow Blu of Phantom Lady.) I was wondering if there are any good books about Siodmak?
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Post by timshelboy on Jul 4, 2021 11:42:19 GMT
He's a gift to noirhounds Not seen the first two and mixed on CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY (love this song though). for link to PEOPLE ON SUNDAY - on my WANTS list!
I have seen about 20 - mostly 1940s ones - and the following I'd "recommend" to varying degrees
Chronologically
PHANTOM LADY
COBRA WOMAN (my "favourite")
THE KILLERS (probably his keeper)
THE DARK MIRROR (neglected twins melo)
THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE
CRY OF THE CITY (overrated but Hope emerson rules!)
CRISS CROSS - notably bleak even by Noir standards
THE LAST ROMAN was 3hr 2 parter telescoped into dubbed shorter version... good fun with Orson Welles, Laurence Harvey & Honor Blackman
Hi Tim,I hope you are having a good weekend and thank you for the great list (I've just ordered the Arrow Blu of Phantom Lady.) I was wondering if there are any good books about Siodmak? Hope you enjoy PHANTOM LADY ... a special treat for Elisha Cook Jr fans...Sadly not read any books on Siodmak-there seem to be at least two from late 90s plus I think he is covered by the one on Jewish migrant to USA directors & Noir. Let us know what you think if you get one. I'm half way through the Kaplan 1600 page tome on Sinatra, and have the Teresa Wright biog on order on mattgarth's recommendation.... and Tippi on top pf the TO READ pile.... (COVID impact considerable) now you've given me ideas I can ill afford...  
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Post by teleadm on Jul 5, 2021 6:07:56 GMT
About books on Robert Siodmak.  This seems to be the one that is most favoured, by Hervé Dumont, unfortunately it seems that it's never been translated to English, at least to my knowledge, only in French, Spanish and maybe Italian. There is though "Robert Siodmak: A Biography, With Critical Analyses of His Films Noirs and a Filmography of All His Works" by Deborah Lazaroff Alpi, but there is a rather biting comment on Amazon that goes like this "Alpi's book is nearly an exact copy of Herve Dumont's excellent biography of Siodmak, which is published in only French and Spanish. She offers nothing new in the way of Siodmak's career, but merely restates facts Dumont had stated, and better. In fact, her book contains numerous factual errors whenever it strays of its blueprint. As a film historian,I can not recommend this book". |
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Post by Hurdy Gurdy Man on Jul 20, 2021 15:00:39 GMT
I also really liked Steven Soderbergh's little seen remake of Criss Cross, The Underneath [1995]. Thanks for informing me of that.
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Post by timshelboy on Jul 24, 2021 16:14:24 GMT
Just a heads up the full 2 part LAST ROMAN on youtube with subs! with Laurence Harvey, Robert Hoffman, Harriett Andersson, Orson Welles, Sylva Koscina, Honor Blackman, who gets a great death scene , Michael Dunn & Ingrid Boulting.Enjoy
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(my "favourite")
