The Art of Noir
Orson Welles
Film noir: the name comes from the French for “black” or “dark film.” It points to the central feature of the genre: mood. There is a darkness about film noir, a somberness accompanied by a thrill of dread and ever-present danger. This aura envelops wealthy heiresses, English aristocrats, tough-guy drifters, jazz musicians, drug dealers, and respected schoolteachers—all of whom have secrets to hide and much to lose if those secrets are unveiled.
These four samples from the classic era of film noir—the 1940s and ’50s—The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, The Stranger, The Man with the Golden Arm, and Rebecca—give a uniquely sharp and compelling glimpse into the themes of noir. In settings as diverse as a squalid corner of Chicago, a quiet New England village, an industrial company town, and a gothic mansion on the coast of England, we see a tight mesh of human entanglements, bound by crime, hidden desires, and an overhanging past.
These four films also offer us the visions of some of the greatest directors of all time, including The Stranger, by the legendary Orson Welles, and Rebecca, from Alfred Hitchcock, the pastmaster of suspense. Screen greats Sir Laurence Olivier, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Kirk Douglas, and Frank Sinatra give some of their most brilliant and spellbinding performances.
These films exercise their power to this day. They expose the hidden motives that lie within every human being: viciousness, greed, hatred, and selfishness, along with love, courage, and integrity. We come to see that behind all human appearances lies an array of complex and intricate motives—some of them hidden even to the characters themselves.
These audio versions of these classic films convey the entirety of their mood—the sharp, rapid dialogue, the dramatic, often staccato soundtracks, and the original voices of the actors. They enable the listener to enjoy the essence of these films movies conveniently and enjoyably in every setting.
In addition, author and philosopher Richard Smoley provides a bracing and insightful foreword to the collection, showing where noir fits into the history of film—and of America—and showing how it continues to shape and influence our culture to this day.
Author - Orson Welles.
Narrator - Orson Welles.
Published Date - Tuesday, 14 January 2025.
Copyright - © 2025 Maple Spring Publishing ©.
Location:
United States
Description:
Film noir: the name comes from the French for “black” or “dark film.” It points to the central feature of the genre: mood. There is a darkness about film noir, a somberness accompanied by a thrill of dread and ever-present danger. This aura envelops wealthy heiresses, English aristocrats, tough-guy drifters, jazz musicians, drug dealers, and respected schoolteachers—all of whom have secrets to hide and much to lose if those secrets are unveiled. These four samples from the classic era of film noir—the 1940s and ’50s—The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, The Stranger, The Man with the Golden Arm, and Rebecca—give a uniquely sharp and compelling glimpse into the themes of noir. In settings as diverse as a squalid corner of Chicago, a quiet New England village, an industrial company town, and a gothic mansion on the coast of England, we see a tight mesh of human entanglements, bound by crime, hidden desires, and an overhanging past. These four films also offer us the visions of some of the greatest directors of all time, including The Stranger, by the legendary Orson Welles, and Rebecca, from Alfred Hitchcock, the pastmaster of suspense. Screen greats Sir Laurence Olivier, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Kirk Douglas, and Frank Sinatra give some of their most brilliant and spellbinding performances. These films exercise their power to this day. They expose the hidden motives that lie within every human being: viciousness, greed, hatred, and selfishness, along with love, courage, and integrity. We come to see that behind all human appearances lies an array of complex and intricate motives—some of them hidden even to the characters themselves. These audio versions of these classic films convey the entirety of their mood—the sharp, rapid dialogue, the dramatic, often staccato soundtracks, and the original voices of the actors. They enable the listener to enjoy the essence of these films movies conveniently and enjoyably in every setting. In addition, author and philosopher Richard Smoley provides a bracing and insightful foreword to the collection, showing where noir fits into the history of film—and of America—and showing how it continues to shape and influence our culture to this day. Author - Orson Welles. Narrator - Orson Welles. Published Date - Tuesday, 14 January 2025. Copyright - © 2025 Maple Spring Publishing ©.
Language:
English
Chapter 1
Duration:00:00:38
Chapter 2
Duration:00:21:12
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Duration:00:08:00
Chapter 5
Duration:00:12:19
Chapter 6
Duration:00:05:14
Chapter 7
Duration:00:11:09
Chapter 8
Duration:00:05:12
Chapter 9
Duration:00:11:16
Chapter 10
Duration:00:07:31
Chapter 11
Duration:00:03:38
Chapter 12
Duration:00:10:05
Chapter 13
Duration:00:08:58
Chapter 14
Duration:00:08:17
Chapter 15
Duration:00:10:41
Chapter 16
Duration:00:06:17
Chapter 17
Duration:00:02:36
Chapter 18
Duration:00:00:01
Chapter 19
Duration:00:16:20
Chapter 20
Duration:00:19:23
Chapter 21
Duration:00:14:38
Chapter 22
Duration:00:12:06
Chapter 23
Duration:00:28:53
Chapter 24
Duration:00:36:34
Chapter 25
Duration:00:00:02
Chapter 26
Duration:00:16:39
Chapter 27
Duration:00:14:37
Chapter 28
Duration:00:12:57
Chapter 29
Duration:00:12:05
Chapter 30
Duration:00:05:43
Chapter 31
Duration:00:09:33
Chapter 32
Duration:00:07:49
Chapter 33
Duration:00:06:37
Chapter 34
Duration:00:11:44
Chapter 35
Duration:00:11:48
Chapter 36
Duration:00:07:08
Chapter 37
Duration:00:01:07
Chapter 38
Duration:00:02:31
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Duration:00:16:29
Chapter 41
Duration:00:06:33
Chapter 42
Duration:00:12:08
Chapter 43
Duration:00:06:25
Chapter 44
Duration:00:04:23
Chapter 45
Duration:00:09:28
Chapter 46
Duration:00:04:20
Chapter 47
Duration:00:08:50
Chapter 48
Duration:00:04:49
Chapter 49
Duration:00:07:00
Chapter 50
Duration:00:12:35
Chapter 51
Duration:00:05:03
Chapter 52
Duration:00:28:07
Chapter 53
Duration:00:04:25
Chapter 54
Duration:00:19:17
Chapter 55
Duration:00:10:23
Chapter 56
Duration:00:00:38