Darkly comic tale about a failed scriptwriter (William Holden) who becomes a gigolo to a faded star (Gloria Swanson) in a decaying mansion. Narrated by a dead man from the swimming pool he always wanted, this stylish noirish drama remains an all-time classic.

An English noir set in Vienna during the post-war period and based on a Graham Greene novel. Director Carol Reed made much of shadows and Dutch (i.e. tilted) angles, while Holly (Joseph Cotton) slowly uncovers the facts behind his friend's death.

There were three different cuts of Welles' TOUCH OF EVIL included. A study in corruption with Welles as a detective not above framing whom he considered guilty parties. Dark and darkly comic, Welles' last brilliant Hollywood movie.

One of Hitchcock's best thrillers as Cary Grant plays an FBI agent who falls in love with Ingrid Bergman while being assigned to persuade her to cozy up to a Nazi sympathizer (Claude Rains). Heavy on the sexual attraction, moral ambiguity, and duplicity.

Proof that there could be a great noir Western. Three men are accused of a crime and may be lynched before their innocence can be established. Powerful drama starring Henry Fonda with dramatic lighting and terrific direction by William Wellman.

Based on the career of gossip columnist Walter Winchell, and one of Burt Lancaster's finest performances as the man who wields power over every gossip columnist in town and is prepared to use it ruthlessly to achieve his ends. Tony Curtis also shines as a suck up seeking to secure column inches for his clients.

Brilliant Kubrick film, written by Jim Thompson from the novel by Lionel White. The cast is terrific as a gang of thieves expertly plan a heist that will net them a fortune, only to have the wife (Mary Windsor) of the weakest one (Elisha Cook Jr.) betray their efforts to another party. Expert use of fractured time and a cast performing at the top of their game.

Hitchcock's favorite of his own films, co-written by Thornton Wilder. A young girl named Charlie (Teresa Wright) is delighted when her uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotton) comes to down, little realizing that he is a murderer of many widows.

An often overlooked but superior film noir. Richard Widmark discovers the seedy side of England.

Nicholas Ray directs this latter-day, downbeat Bogart movie, where Bogie plays a scriptwriter with a volatile temper suspected of murder who falls in love with Gloria Graeme.

Soon to be blacklisted left-wing writer Abraham Polonsky brings us John Garfield as a boxer who refuses to throw a fight and the difficulty that causes in this memorable and noirish boxing drama.

Dick Powell does a surprising good job of playing Chandler's Phillip Marlowe character as he aids Moose Molloy in tracking down Velma. The hapless Marlowe gets knocked out over and over again, but ultimately uncovers the secrets lurking below the surface. Edward Dymtryck, one of the Hollywood Ten, directs with genuine flare.

Orson Welles took Rita Hayworth, dyed her hair blonde, and put her in this outrageous (and outrageously entertaining) film noir where outre characters practice duplicity and do wild and weird things. Everett Sloane is brilliant as the crippled lawyer who winds up interrogating himself in a courtroom. Hall of mirrors finale remains an unforgettable highlight.