THE BLACK BOOK – 1949
I finally got around to this one, and I was rather surprised just how much I enjoyed it. Even though I'm a fan of the director, and director of photography, the French Revolution just never grabbed me as a possible venue for a noir, so I avoided this one for years. Boy was I wrong to do that.
Loved the look of the whole production, I'd swear that John Alton lit the entire film with the refection of a lit cigar off a quarter.
Robert Cummings and Richard Basehart headline with great support from, Arnold Moss, Beulah Bondi, Charles McGraw, Arlene Dahl and Richard Hart. Look close and you can see long time bit players, John Doucette, Dabbs Greer, Dan Seymour and Royal Dano.
The story is about a group of patriots out to stop the evil Robespierre, played by Richard Basehart. The man has been on a spree of trials and executions of everyone opposed to his rule. He wants to be named dictator of all of France. This of course does not sit well with many.
It seems that Robespierre has a book with all his enemies, real or perceived in it. If the Patriots can obtain said book, they can expose Robespierre as the murdering swine that he is. Robert Cumming plays the main agent of this underground group.
Produced by budget minded Eagle-Lion studios, this one sure gives full value. Well worth a watch, though some of the prints out there are not that great. I caught this one off TCM. Director Anthony Mann strikes again!
I finally got around to this one, and I was rather surprised just how much I enjoyed it. Even though I'm a fan of the director, and director of photography, the French Revolution just never grabbed me as a possible venue for a noir, so I avoided this one for years. Boy was I wrong to do that.
Loved the look of the whole production, I'd swear that John Alton lit the entire film with the refection of a lit cigar off a quarter.
Robert Cummings and Richard Basehart headline with great support from, Arnold Moss, Beulah Bondi, Charles McGraw, Arlene Dahl and Richard Hart. Look close and you can see long time bit players, John Doucette, Dabbs Greer, Dan Seymour and Royal Dano.
The story is about a group of patriots out to stop the evil Robespierre, played by Richard Basehart. The man has been on a spree of trials and executions of everyone opposed to his rule. He wants to be named dictator of all of France. This of course does not sit well with many.
It seems that Robespierre has a book with all his enemies, real or perceived in it. If the Patriots can obtain said book, they can expose Robespierre as the murdering swine that he is. Robert Cumming plays the main agent of this underground group.
Produced by budget minded Eagle-Lion studios, this one sure gives full value. Well worth a watch, though some of the prints out there are not that great. I caught this one off TCM. Director Anthony Mann strikes again!