Crossfire–Film Noir Screening + Discussion

Date/Time
Date(s) - 04/27/2015
7:30 pm

Location
Cinema Arts Centre

Category(ies)

• movie

Just back from WWII, a group of Army buddies find themselves implicated in a hate crime — the killing of a Jewish soldier – in this ground breaking, multi-Oscar nominated film noir classic filled with unsettling quiet menace. “Crossfire” stars Robert Mitchum at his blasé best, Robert Ryan, Robert Young and Gloria Grahame. Professor Foster Hirsch, the “Dean of Film Noir”, will host a screening and discussion on Monday, April 27, 7:30 pm at Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave, Huntington, NY. 631-423-7611 www.CinemaArtsCentre.org

Members $10 | Public $15 Includes Reception & Book-signing of “The Dark Side of Film Noir”. Tickets available at www.CinemaArtsCentre.org or at the box office

http://www.cinemaartscentre.org/event/crossfire-film-noir-classics-hosted-by-prof-foster-hirsch/

One of Hollywood’s first films to confront anti-Semitism, director Edward Dmytryk’s Crossfire – nominated for 5 Academy Awards – launched the career of noir giant Robert Ryan, whose masterful portrayal of damaged characters may be unsurpassed in cinema history. Acting with trembling force and a volcanic presence, Ryan plays Monty – a rabid, near-psychotic anti-Semitic ex-GI who, in a fit of hate, beats Jewish sergeant Samuels (Sam Levene) to death. But too much alcohol – or conflicting motivations – fog the memories of Monty’s recently demobilized GI buddies, all probable witnesses to the crime. Robert Mitchum, at his blasé best, plays a coolheaded Sergeant Keeley conducting his own investigation in parallel — and at times in conflict — with police detective Finlay (Robert Young). The unforgettable Gloria Grahame (also making her noir debut) is a cynical “B-Girl” who may be able to help. As Finlay and Keeley slowly piece together the fragments of that night, one possible, ugly motive emerges that may have driven the killer to commit his senseless crime. (US, 1947, 86 min., based on the novel by Richard Brooks | Dir. Edward Dmytryk)

Curated by Jud Newborn, CAC Curator of Special Programs

Foster Hirsch, Professor at Brooklyn College, is a pioneer in the development of Film Studies and author of more than a score of important books ranging from works about Woody Allen, the Actors Studio and American theater to his magisterial biography, Otto Preminger: The Man Who Would Be King.  His current work-in-progress is a sprawling study of film during the crucial transition period of the 1950s. He will sign copies of his book “The Dark Side of Film Noir’ at a reception following the screening and discussion.