There seems to be Many a Movie Appearing as Film-Noir, that are Suspect.
With Today's Understanding of the Genre (but is nebulous to a point) that Manifested Spontaneously and Unconsciously in the 1940's.
It's Not "Bait and Switch" because of the Aforementioned "Unconscious" Spontaneity.
Therefore it Wasn't a Con. That's was just the Reality of Movie-Making at the Time.
Part of the Fascination, at First the French Film Critics and Later Everybody, was the Fact that Film-Noir was from the Id.
Nobody at the Time said "Let's make a Film-Noir"
It just Arrived Unannounced.
A Reflection of Life that was Usually Not Available in Pre-War Hollywood in Main-Stream Movies.
So this is a "Murder Mystery" that Contains Scenes that were Noir Tropes to be sure, but the Tone Shifts are Unwelcome in a Perfect Film-Noir World.
The Comedy Relief, for the most part, is an Important Disqualification in the Genre.
There are other Problems within the Film.
The Writer-Director Stone Won an Oscar for His Script Contributions for "Mr Smith Goes To Washington" (1939).
At this Point in His Career He had been Making Movies for Over 20 Years.
He Crossed-Over to Television quite a lot in the Remainder.
One has to Guess Why He Chose to Photograph Dorthy Lamour in such an Ordinary "Pose" as to Render One of Her Most Attractive and Enduring Qualities to a Virtual Non-Existence.
He Showed Dan Duryea at His Sublime and Sleazy Best.
The Open and Close are the Best of This.
A Good Entertainment, just Not Inclusive in Sacred Film-Noir Territory.
With Today's Understanding of the Genre (but is nebulous to a point) that Manifested Spontaneously and Unconsciously in the 1940's.
It's Not "Bait and Switch" because of the Aforementioned "Unconscious" Spontaneity.
Therefore it Wasn't a Con. That's was just the Reality of Movie-Making at the Time.
Part of the Fascination, at First the French Film Critics and Later Everybody, was the Fact that Film-Noir was from the Id.
Nobody at the Time said "Let's make a Film-Noir"
It just Arrived Unannounced.
A Reflection of Life that was Usually Not Available in Pre-War Hollywood in Main-Stream Movies.
So this is a "Murder Mystery" that Contains Scenes that were Noir Tropes to be sure, but the Tone Shifts are Unwelcome in a Perfect Film-Noir World.
The Comedy Relief, for the most part, is an Important Disqualification in the Genre.
There are other Problems within the Film.
The Writer-Director Stone Won an Oscar for His Script Contributions for "Mr Smith Goes To Washington" (1939).
At this Point in His Career He had been Making Movies for Over 20 Years.
He Crossed-Over to Television quite a lot in the Remainder.
One has to Guess Why He Chose to Photograph Dorthy Lamour in such an Ordinary "Pose" as to Render One of Her Most Attractive and Enduring Qualities to a Virtual Non-Existence.
He Showed Dan Duryea at His Sublime and Sleazy Best.
The Open and Close are the Best of This.
A Good Entertainment, just Not Inclusive in Sacred Film-Noir Territory.