Suddenly (1954) - Star of the month... Frank Sinatra

John Baron (played by Sinatra) berates one of his hostages

'Suddenly' is a 1954 dramatic film noir thriller directed by Lewis Allen and starring Frank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden, James Gleason and Nancy Gates. The film's screenplay was written by Richard Sale.

The film is set in the tranquil town of Suddenly. When the American President is scheduled to make a visit to the town while passing through on a train, three gangsters, led by John Baron (Sinatra) hold a family hostage in their home as part of an assassination attempt on the president.

Ironically at the start of a film, a police officer says: "Things happen so slow now, the town councillor is thinking of changing the name to Gradually". Little do they know what is about to happen in this small town.

Use of guns

Sterling Hayden as Todd

A key theme in the film is the use of guns. At the start of the film, Ellen (played the Gates) does not like guns as her husband was recently shot in the war. When Todd (played by Hayden) buys Ellen's son a cap gun, Ellen is not happy. Todd tells Ellen, "The boys gotta learn sometime that guns aren't necessarily bad... It depends on who uses them." It is ironic later in the film Ellen must make consider this statement when making a choice as to whether or not to pick up a gun in order to save her family.

Home invasion

Another key theme in the film is home invasion. The home is the one place where we expect to feel and be safe.  Being held captive removes the barrier between personal and public space, and bring the dangerous realities of the outside world inside our front door. The claustrophobia you would feel when being held hostage in your home I imagine would be one of the most terrifying ordeals a person could experience.

Did you know...

• This film was shot in 4 weeks
• Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly watched this film a few days before assassinating President Kennedy - one could consider if this film was a catalyst for the assassination, or whether the event may not have taken place had Oswald not seen this film
• When 'Suddenly' was colorised for home video in 1986 by Hal Roach Studio, they coloured Frank Sinatra's famous blue eyes brown, causing much controversy. A second colourised version from 2009 by Legend Films, restores his eyes to it's natural blue color.
• The film's copyright was not renewed and the film is now in the public domain - hence the myriad of budget home video releases and availability online

The Dark Mirror - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

'The Dark Mirror' is a 1946 psychological thriller directed by Robert Siodmark, and starring Olivia de Havilland and Lew Ayres with Thomas Mitchell.

Olivia de Havilland plays identical twins
Terry & Ruth Collins

After a doctor is murdered, witnesses identify one of identical twins Terry and Ruth Collins (both played by de Havilland) with the murder victim, just before his death. Matters are complicated when both twins refuse to turn in the other by each providing an alibi.


Lt. Stevenson (played by Mitchell) brings in psychiatrist and twin expert Dr. Scott Elliott (played by Ayres) to investigate and uncover the truth.

Did you know...

• This was Lew Ayres' return to the screen after servicing in World War II

Award nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Writing - Original Story

Closing remarks

Despite being another evil twin film of the 1940's, along with 'A Stolen Life' (1946) and 'The Two Mrs. Carrolls' (1947), I like the way in which 'The Dark Mirror' manipulates the viewer. There are many moments when we are unsure of which sister is which, and are often surprised and shocked when the truth is revealed.  Although the ending is predictable, 'The Dark Mirror' is a satisfying viewing experience.

The Mask of Dimitrios - Star Birthday... Faye Emerson

Star birthday... Faye Emerson

Faye Emerson was born on 8 July 1917.  Starting her career as an actress, she appeared in many Warner Bros. films from 1941-1946.  In 1948, she moved to television, acting in a number of television shows before becoming a TV interviewer in her later years. She became known as "The First Lady of Television". After retiring in the 1960s, she moved to Spain where she spent the rest of her life. Faye Emerson died from stomach cancer on 9 March 1983 at age 65.

Recommended viewing

• Lady Gangster (1942)
• Between Two Worlds (1944)
• The Mask of Dimitrios (1944)
• Hotel Berlin (1945)
• Nobody Lives Forever (1946)

Mask of Dimitrios (1944)

'The Mask of Dimitrios' is a 1944 film noir, directed by Jean Negulesco and starring Sydney Greenstreet, Zachary Scott, Faye Emerson and Peter Lorre.

The screenplay by Frank Gruber is based on the novel, 'A Coffin for Dimitrios' by Eric Ambler, with the story told primarily using flashback.

Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet, always a great pair

While visiting Istanbul, Dutch mystery writer Cornelius Leyden (played by Lorre) learns of Dimitrios Makropoulos (played by Scott), a man whose body had just washed up on the beach. Leyden becomes fascinated by the story, and develops an obsession for finding out more about Dimitrios' story. He begins by tracking down people from Dimitrios' past including his ex-lover, Irana Preveza (played by Emerson) and the mysterious Mr. Peters (played by Greenstreet).

Did you know...

• This was Zachary Scott's film debut

Closing remarks

'The Mask of Dimitrios' is overall a good film to watch, however it can get a little slow and difficult to follow at times. It's predictable ending makes it an average entry into the film noir genre. As always, Greenstreet and Lorre make a great pair and carry the film until it's conclusion.

Clash by Night (1952)

Star of the Month... Marilyn Monroe

'Clash by Night' is a 1952 film noir drama directed by Fritz Lang. The film stars Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas, Marilyn Monroe, Keith Andes and Robert Ryan. 

Marilyn's nude calendar photo
surfaced during the filming
of this film

Mae Doyle (played by Stanwyck) returns to her home town of Monterey, California after a 10 year absence to see her brother Joe (played by Andes) and his girlfriend Peggy (played by Monroe). After her return Mae marries fisherman Jerry (played by Douglas), before falling in love with Jerry's best friend Earl (played by Ryan). Mae and Earl engage in an affair, adding drama and strain to Mae's marriage.

The Monroe breakthrough

20th Century Fox loaned Marilyn to RKO Picture in order to make this film, considered to be her true breakthrough in film.  During filming, Marilyn's nude calendar photo surfaced skyrocketing her to international notoriety. 

Marilyn Monroe with Keith Anders

Closing remarks

'Clash by Night' is a mediocre film, but worth watching to see Marilyn's breakthrough performance.

Niagara (1953) - Star of the month... Marilyn Monroe

"Kiss, kiss me, say you'll miss me..."

Marilyn Monroe is tantalising as Rose Loomis

Directed by Henry Hathaway, Niagara is the 1953 thriller/film noir starring Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotten, Jean Peters and Max Showalter, set against a backdrop of breathtaking views of Niagara Falls. Each time I watch this film, I have a burning desire to travel to Canada to see the falls in person. 

'Niagara' is an important film in Marilyn's career as it was the first film where she  received first billing, and with her overtly sexual performance she manages to steal the limelight from her co-stars.

Produced during the film noir period, "Niagara" despite being filmed in glorious Technicolor contains many of the noir elements and characteristics.

Marilyn sings the song "Kiss"

The film begins as Ray and Polly Cutler (played by Showalter and Peters) travel to Niagara Falls for a belated honeymoon. Upon arriving they find their cabin is still occupied by another couple, George and Rose Loomis (played by Cotten and Monroe). Rose is secretly in love with another man and with him schemes to murder George... the film will leave you surprised and shocked!

Tantalising Marilyn as femme-fatale is at her sexiest in this film, with the camera superbly capturing her curvy walk, and dazzling close ups of her face. Marilyn sings the song "Kiss", which she also recorded. The song is used as a recurring musical motif throughout the film, and will leave you humming it's tune long after the film is finished.

Niagara Falls as a metaphor

Early in the film George talks to Polly about Niagara Falls, how above the water is calm and slow, and it eventually becomes faster as it rapidly falls and crashes over the rocks. In hindsight, this is metaphorical in two ways. Firstly, it parallels the Loomis' troubled marriage. At the beginning of the film, the relationship appears to be calm, before a turning point, where the relationship "crashes against the rocks" towards the end of the film. Secondly, this parallels the structure of the film - particularly in the film's suspeneseful conclusion as we ride the wild rapids of Niagara Falls.

Niagara and Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol's "Marilyn Diptych" was inspired by
a publicity still from 'Niagara'.

Shortly after Monroe's death in 1962, pop artist Andy Warhol used a publicity still from 'Niagara' for his silkscreen painting 'Marilyn Diptych'.

Closing remarks

"Niagara and Monroe: The two most electrifying sights in the world" said the trailer. There's really no better way to describe the film, and nothing more I can say but make sure you watch this film.

The Asphalt Jungle (1950) - Star of the month... Marilyn Monroe

The Asphalt Jungle is a film noir film crime caper directed by John Huston (father of Angelica Huston). Based on the novel by W.R. Burnett, it tells the story of a group of criminals planning and executing a jewel robbery. The film stars Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagen and in a very small but important role, Marilyn Monroe in one of her early films.

The supporting cast includes James Whitmore, Sam Jaffe, John McIntire, Marc Lawrence and Teresa Celli. 

In 2008, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." It was also nominated for 4 Oscars (Best direction; Best Supporting Actor - Sam Jaffe; Best Cinematography - Black & White; and Best Writing - Screenplay). 


It is still regarded today as one of the most important and influential crime films ever made.

Although primarily shown in black and white, a computer colourised version of the film was shown on TV in the 1980s and 1990s. Here is a brief clip of Marilyn from the colourised version of the film: 

Marilyn Monroe

Re-issue poster giving Marilyn top
billing despite her small role

Marilyn Monroe appears as Angela Phinley, mistress of Alonzo D. Emmerich (played by Louis Calhern), whom she calls "Uncle Lon".


Marilyn was still an unknown at the time of the film's release. She had only appeared in a small number of films in very small roles. And although her name was not listed on the original poster, following her rise to fame, film posters were redesigned to include a prominent picture of her and even included her name. 


Despite appearing in the film for about 4 minutes, Marilyn steals the film from the very first shot of her laying on the couch. This film got her noticed by director Joseph L. Mankiewicz, who cast her in her next important role in 'All About Eve' (1950).

Use of sound rather than music

A technique which John Huston has used in this film, is to use sound rather than music. This technique is particularly effective during the 11 minute robbery sequence, adding to the naturalistic style of the film. There are moments of silence in between sounds of drilling, bricks smashing and dynamite exploding. We hear the police siren in the distance, which gradually gets louder and louder as the police car gets closer. This helps in building up suspense, and the viewer sympathises with the crooks, wanting them to get away.


The music score by Miklós Rózsa lasts for about 6 minutes. After the main titles,  there is no music until approx. 100 minutes into the film.

Did you know...

Marilyn Monroe as Angela Phinley

• Georgia Holt (mother of Cher) was considered for the role of Angela Phinley
• The role of Angela Phinley (played by Marilyn Monroe) was originally intended for Lola Albright
• A spin-off TV series followed in 1961, lasting only 13 episodes
• The film features the film debut of Jack Warden

Concluding remarks

The Asphalt Jungle is a great crime film, and definitely worth watching to see Marilyn Monroe in the role which first got her noticed.