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Columbia Noir #3 --This is not really a review of the films themselves. Other reviewer feel the need to explicate them. All I will say is that this is one of the better collections in the series, with only one film that doesn't quite fit the "noir" designation (I know, it's subjective), THE DARK PAST. It's also not a terribly good film. THE SNIPER, CITY OF FEAR and CONVICTED are top notch production, with BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN trailing them only slightly. As for the overall package, it's aces all the way. Beautiful transfers with commentaries and booklet that has more to offer than you might think.
A great big "FIVE" stars for the presentation. 6 films each in their own strong cardboard case with a booklet and promo cover. Extras on all discs include a "Three Stooges" film (a very aquired taste, not for me) Commentaries and some interesting, quirky shorts that are worth investigating/discovering. Excellent subtitles on all films and mint picture and clear sound. The films...? I confess I was a bit disapointed, not so much in the choice but because I found them not very interesting. THE SNIPER is good as is CITY OF FEAR but - that has already been released on a COLUMBIA FILM NOIR BOX SET (you can find it on Amazon U/K). BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN is for me the best of the bunch. All good solid films - Main features at the time (mostly, not "Sniper or City",) and well worth the price for those who love these late 40's/50's B/W "Noirs". Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood. A second viewing in 2/3 years and I could well be much more enthusiastic.
PH Indicator continues its collection of Columbia noirs that, as previously, combine the average with the exceptional.
In brief: Keeping in 1940s noir traditions, and with Dick Powell an actor well accomplished in the genre, “Johnny O’clock” turns out rather a dull thriller of gambler vs. corrupt cop; “Dark Past” has hiding out hoodlum William Holden crossing paths with psychologist Lee J. Cobb, in a drama that keeps close to its theatrical origins; “Convicted” is a solid prison drama with warden Broderick Crawford aiding unjustly imprisoned Glenn Ford; and “Between Midnight And Dawn” has cops Edmond O’Brien and Mark Stevens spending time sharing affections for Gale Storm while patrolling the dark streets. Finally “The Sniper” and “City Of Fear” are more realistic location thrillers than noirs, with Arthur Franz in the first as the psycho on the loose with a rifle while escaped prisoner Vince Edwards, in the second, is endangering the city with a radioactive canister.
All the movies, in individual cardboard cases, have been given top-quality restoration and are accompanied by an informative book and packaged in solid outer box. But if the accompanying documentaries are not interesting, or if the Three Stooges not amusing, then the set is rather expensive for a collection of mainly “B” movies.