Customer Reviews

Nocturne [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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This moody 1946 film noir stars George Raft as a detective assigned to solve the murder of a musical gigolo who finally met a woman who wouldn't sit still for his standard dismissal. His character becomes entranced with solving the case, so much so that he risks his job and life to go on even after the department suggests he end his involvement. Lynn Bari provides zip as a brassy dame suspected of being one of the victim's "Doloreses", the name his houseboy says he called each one of his mistresses regardless of her given name. Swinging night clubs, dark stormy nights, hard boiled police work and a cast of lesser named but very effective players make this movie a must see. Unfortunately the film is out of distribution currently but this viewer (whose children inadvertently erased our only copy!) continues to search for either a print for sale or a classic movie channel screening. Look for a scene of great tension and foreboding in a closed photographic studio as evidence that this little suspenser is a hidden gem.

RKO Radio Pictures presents "NOCTURNE" (1946 87 min/B&W) -- Starring: George Raft, Lynn Bari, Virginia Huston, Joseph Pevney & Myrna Dell

Directed by Edwin L. Marin

"The intoxicating mystery melodrama Nocturne was produced by longtime Alfred Hitchcock associate Joan Harrison. The film wastes no time getting started, with a caddish Hollywood composer (Edward Ashley) dropping dead right after the opening credits. The police think it's a suicide, but maverick lieutenant Joe Warne (George Raft) suspects foul play. Checking around, Warne discovers that the dead man had broken at least ten female hearts in the past few years, providing a motive for murder for all ten. The principal suspect is Frances Ransom (Lynn Bari), who may or may not have been avenging her sister, nightclub thrush Carol Page (Virginia Huston). Pursuing the case with such dogged diligence that he's eventually tossed off the police force, Warne nonetheless refuses to give up, and by film's end he has collared the murderer.

It wouldn't be fair to reveal the killer's identity, except to note that the actor in question went on to quite a different career at Universal Pictures. Like the previous RKO George Raft vehicle Johnny Angel, Nocturne was a box-office bonanza, posting a then-impressive profit of $568,000"

What more can be said - can't get enough of that Raft!

No studio in my opinion could give us the film noir that RKO Pictures could.

BIOS:
1. Edwin L. Marin [Director]
Date of Birth: 21 February 1899 - Jersey City, New Jersey
Date of Death: 2 May 1951 - Los Angeles, California

2. George Raft (aka: George Ranft)
Date of birth: 26 September 1895 - New York City, New York
Date of death: 24 November 1980 - Los Angeles, California

3. Lynn Bari [aka: Margaret Schuyler Fisher]
Date of Birth: 18 December 1913 - Roanoke, Virginia
Date of Death: 20 November 1989 - Santa Barbara, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 87 min on DVD/VHS ~ RKO Radio Pictures ~ (October 16, 1991)

This is one forgotten gem I caught one night 11 years ago on TMC. The opening shots of old LA skyline lead on to one beautiful image after another in very deep silva print. Reflected life when everyone had a piano and grew up playing. The music is part of solving the crime but not obnoxious. This isn't a musical. George Rafts (detective) mother, who he lives with in a tiny apartment is wonderful. The women are beautiful. The humor is simple and not sardonic. The night scene @ the photographers is pure noir and beautiful too. Hope someone remembers this one and gets it onto DVD format. In the music/mystery genre .. like Deanna Durbans' 'Lady on a Train', very classy and satisfying, everything fitting neatly together with shots of old Hollywood.

This is a very good Noir which I am sorry to see is not on DVD yet. George Raft turns in his usual solid and amusing performance as a detective trying to discover who killed a song writer. While the plot is like those of so many other noirs, it distinguishes itself in being circuitous enough to keep you guessing at the denouement until the end. I especially liked it also for its street scenes and interiors which really evoke that era ('40's). Also, toward the end there are some wonderfully eerie and surreal sequences which is really what gives noirs their unique appeal. I only wish this picture would be released on DVD! Highly recommended.