Between the 1940s and 1950s, the film noir genre reigned as one of the most popular genres among audiences and was initially established with classics such asThe Maltese Falcon,Double Indemnity, andOut of the Past.Within two decades, there were an assortment of contributions to the film noir genre, includingLaura,Sunset Boulevard, andThe Big Heat, which rank high on the majority of fans' lists of favorites. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with admiring the well-known noirs, but the film genre is chalk-full of exceptional titles that sometimes get lost in the crowd.
Like any film genre, it’s to be expected that some first-rate films are unfortunately overshadowed by the more mainstream classics, but thankfully, this list is designed to help fans broaden their horizons and dive deeper into the world of noir with titles such asThieves' Highway,Woman on the Run, andThe Lineup. FromJacques Tourneur’sNightfalltoRaw Deal, these are ten of the best classic noir films that you haven’t seen….yet!
10’Nightfall' (1956)
Directed by Jacques Tourneur
Jacques Tourneur’sNightfallis a thrilling noir centered around an artist (Aldo Ray) whose actions of a good Samaritan lead to him being falsely implicated in a robbery and murder. In rural Wyoming, James Vanning (Ray) offers a ride to two men who are stranded on the roadway, unaware that they have just committed a robbery and are planning to kill him. As Vanning barely escapes with his life, he hides out in Los Angeles, but when the stolen money goes missing, the two men track Vanning down, believing he knows the whereabouts of the loot.
Nightfallis based on the 1948 novel of the same name byDavid Goodisand also starsAnne Bancroft,Brian Keith, andRuby Bond. The alluring plot gradually unfolds through a series of flashbacks which are riddled with intensity, action, and unbearable suspense that makesNightfalla riveting classic noir. Considering the film’s low-budget,Nightfalldoes have some minor plot holes and unfathomable elements, but overall,its immersive cinematography, Tourneur’s mastery of film noir, and the array of performances makesNightfallall worthwhile.
9’The Locket' (1946)
Directed by John Brahm
The Locketis a hidden gem of a noir starringLaraine Dayas a young woman with a troubled past and a reputation for leaving broken hearts and death wherever she goes. When a psychiatrist, Dr. Harry Blair (Brian Aherne) arrives at the Park Avenue doorstep of John Willis (Gene Raymond), and informs the soon-to-be-married Willis that his future wife, Nancy (Day), is not who she says she is. Through a series of flashbacks, Blair recalls his time and several other men’s involvement with Nancy and the unusual circumstances that surrounded each of their relationships.
The Locketis an almost perfect film noir classicwhich is known for its unique non-linear narrative and its ingenious plot twist that ties the entire mystery up at the end with a neat, jaw-dropping bow. Initially,The Locketappears to be a classic tale of men falling victim to a deadly femme fatale, but the plot takes an unexpected turn by introducing a pivotal event of psychological trauma that essentially provides a rhyme and reason to Nancy’s behavior, making her one of the few femme fatales who audiences can’t help but empathize with by the end.
The Locket (1946)
8’Pickup on South Street' (1953)
Directed by Samuel Fuller
Richard Widmarkstars inPickup on South Streetas a New York City pickpocket, Skip McCoy, who steals the wallet of a woman, Candy (Jean Peters), who, unbeknownst to McCoy, has been feeding important information to an underground Communist ring and is being tailed by the FBI. When Candy discovers her wallet is missing, she sends her ex-boyfriend (Richard Kiley) to find McCoy and retrieve the wallet which holds valuable microfilm.
Pickup on South Streetis a brilliant blend of a classic espionage thriller and a traditional crime noir set against an authentic backdrop featuring the darkest corners of New York City’s underworld. The movie was initially met with reviews, with many citing unconvincing performances and a lack of a consistently ominous tone which is to be expected from a gritty criminal noir. In recent years,Pickup on South Streethas been reevaluated and is widely considered by many to be a top-tier noir classic that deserves more recognition than it genuinely receives.
Pickup on South Street
7’Thieves' Highway' (1949)
Directed by Jules Dassin
Richard Contestars in the underrated 1949 noir,Thieves' Highway, as a World War II veteran, Nick Garcos, who returns home with the intention of settling down with his girlfriend, but when he discovers that his father has recently been beaten and robbed by a mob-connected truck driver, Mike Figlia (Lee J. Cobb), he sets his future aside to avenge his old man. As Garcos works towards bringing Figlia to justice, his efforts inevitably lead him further and further into the criminal underworld.
Jules Dassin’sThieves' Highwayis categorized as a type of experimental film noir known as film gris (grey film) and is among several films that were introduced in the first wave of investigations by the House of Un-American Activities Committee, which led to the infamous Hollywood Blacklist. Aside from its historical significance, which is partially to blame for its lack of recognition,Thieves' Highwayis a profound film noir with an outstanding lead performance by Conte, who is easily one of the most underrated stars of the film noir genre.
Thieves' Highway
6’Pushover' (1954)
Directed by Richard Quine
Pushoveris a lesser-known film noir starringFred MacMurrayas a detective, Paul Sheridan, who is part of a group of officers and investigators assigned to recover a large amount of money that was recently stolen from a local bank. As Sheridan stakes out the home of Lona McLane (Kim Novak), who is the girlfriend of one of the suspects, the two inevitably begin a steamy affair. When McLane asks Sheridan to kill her boyfriend so they can run off together with the money, Sheridan knows he can only pull it off if he’s able to trick his fellow officers.
Upon the film’s original release, some critics notedPushoverto be similar toBilly Wilder’sDouble Indemnity, which also starred MacMurray and resembled several other notable noirs. While they may have a valid point, that doesn’t diminish the entertaining quality of the film or its string of well-executed performances by a stellar cast, notably Novak, who appears in her first major film role.MacMurray delivers a more than convincing performance as the traditional hard-nosed detective turns sap, and has intense chemistry with Novak that heightens the overall suspense of this must-see classic noir.
5’Woman on the Run' (1950)
Directed by Norman Foster
Ann Sheridanstars as a young wife, Eleanor Johnson, who learns from investigators that her husband, Frank (Ross Elliott), witnessed a murder and, believing his own life is in danger, is now on the run. Despite their marriage being on the rocks, Eleanor can’t help but worry about her husband and, with the help of a reporter (Dennis O’Keefe), she sets out in search of him, desperately hoping to find him before it’s too late.
Woman on the Runis based on the 1948 short story,Man on the Run, written bySylvia Tateand is easilyone of the most underrated film noirs of the 1950s. The film has a Hitchcockian-type level of suspense and features powerhouse performances, notably by Sheridan, who redefines the female role in the traditional crime film noir. Between the sincerity of Sheridan’s performance and the constant rollercoaster of suspense and uncertainty,Woman on the Runis a diamond in the rough that defies the run-of-the-mill crime film noir, making it an absolute must-see for any diehard noir fan.
Woman on the Run
4’Ministry of Fear' (1944)
Directed by Fritz Lang
Ray Millandstars as Stephen Neale who, after spending time in a mental institution, is released and decides to visit a charity event hosted by the Mothers of Free Nations while he waits for his train back to London. When Neale wins a cake at the festival, he’s unaware that it contains a microfilm with valuable information, and as Neale is relentlessly pursued by unknown assailants at every turn, he decides to look further into the Mothers of Free Nations and eventually discovers a deadly plot involving Nazi spies.
Fritz Langis regarded asone of the best directors of classic film noirand his 1944 film,Ministry of Fear, stands as a prime example of his expertise in the genre. Based on the 1943 novel byGraham Greene,Ministry of Fearis a gripping cross between a spy thriller and a classic film noir with an unusual but fascinating psychological undertone that makes it a one-of-a-kind entry in the film noir genre.Ministry of Fearis a stunning throwback to Lang’s early films, capturing the core of German expressionism and the qualities of a definitive film noir that ultimately solidifies it as not only one of Lang’s finest films but also a great classic noir that many have yet to experience.
Ministry of Fear
3’Too Late for Tears' (1949)
Directed by Byron Haskin
Lizabeth Scottstars in one of her strongest performances as a ruthless femme fatale, Jane Palmer, who, while driving home with her husband (Arthur Kennedy) from a party, find themselves in possession of a suitcase containing thousands of dollars after an oncoming car tosses it into their backseat. When her husband decides that they have to turn the money over to the authorities, Palmer refuses and goes to extreme measures to ensure that the money stays with her.
Too Late for Tearsisa highly overlooked film noir classic and features a suspenseful journey of one devious dame’s steadfast determination to hang on to an easy pay day, ultimately exploring the consequences that come with a lack of morality and insatiable greed. The movie was originally met with mixed reviews from critics and a financial failure that forced producer,Hunt Stromberg, to file for bankruptcy. Over the years,Too Late for Tearshas since become a crucial cult classic and is mainly recognized for Scott’s sharp performance as one of the most savage femme fatales in noir history.
Too Late for Tears
2’The Lineup' (1958)
Directed by Don Siegel
Don Siegel’sThe Lineupis based on the popular television show of the same name and starsEli Wallachas a gun-for-hire, Dancer, who is tasked with retrieving a shipment of heroin which has been smuggled into the United States by unsuspecting travelers arriving in San Francisco. After Dancer and his mentor (Robert Keith) locate the drugs, they find themselves in a bind when a large portion of the package is missing. While Dancer thinks he can explain the situation to the head of the drug ring known only as “The Man,” he is sorely mistaken and quickly realizes that his life is now in serious jeopardy.
The Lineupisan action-packed film noir that is essentially a combination of a police procedural premise and a vicious killer’s crime spree that deserves to be at the top of any watchlist. Wallach delivers a sensationally brutal performance inThe Lineupas a cutthroat killer who stands apart from his other villainous roles with an unexpected conscience and misguided integrity that elevates the intensity of the film’s clever plot. While Wallach is the film’s main attraction, Keith gives a fitting side-kick performance that keeps him from fading into the background but also refrains from overshadowing Wallach, conveying the perfect balance of a right-hand-man.
The Lineup
1’Raw Deal' (1948)
Directed by Anthony Mann
Dennis O’Keefestars in the film noir crime classic,Raw Deal, as Joe Sullivan who, after taking the fall for an undisclosed crime, wants to collect his share of the money retrieved from the job and manages to break out of prison with the help of his girlfriend, Pat (Claire Trevor). As word reaches Sullivan’s accomplice, Rick Coyle (Raymond Burr), about his successful escape, he doesn’t want to give Sullivan his cut of the money and decides to pull out all the stops to have him killed before he can reach him.
Raw Dealis an intense film noir with an underlying love triangle that brings an alluring level of uncertainty to the already high-anxiety plot. Even though some critics felt the film lacked genuine common sense,Raw Dealstill proved to be a success at the box office and features outstanding performances by a stellar cast, notably Burr, who delivers a sinfully charismatic performance as a sadistic mobster. Overall,the film’s rich cinematography, impeccable performances and its stirring plot allow audiences to overlook any minor flaws or indiscretions and solidifiesRaw Dealas a wildly entertaining noir classic that is more than worthy of any film fan’s attention.
