E. L. Doctorow, on writing:

 

Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.

- E. L. Doctorow.

Recommended reading - The Dark Side of the Screen: Film Noir

 

The Dark Side of the Screen: Film Noir

by Foster Hirsch.
 
Published by Da Capo.
2nd edition.
Published 2008.
Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0306817721
ISBN-13: 978-0306817724
 
Description:
 

Foster Hirsch's Dark Side of the Screen is by far the most thorough and entertaining study of the themes, visual motifs, character types, actors, directors, and films in this genre ever published. From Billy Wilder, Douglas Sirk, Robert Aldrich, and Howard Hawkes to Martin Scorsese, Roman Polanski, and Paul Schrader, the noir themes of dread, paranoia, steamy sex, double-crossing women, and menacing cityscapes have held a fascination. The features that make Burt Lancaster, Joan Crawford, Robert Mitchum, and Humphrey Bogart into noir heroes and heroines are carefully detailed here, as well as those camera angles, lighting effects, and story lines that characterize Fritz Lang, Samuel Fuller, and Orson Welles as noir directors.For the current rediscovery of film noir, this comprehensive history with its list of credits to 112 outstanding films and its many illustrations will be a valuable reference and a source of inspiration for further research.

 

“Wonderfully readable: Hirsch is clear, knowledgeable, and concise….[The Dark Side of the Screen] is a visual as well as literary pleasure.” – Martin Jackson, Cineaste.

 

“There has been no extended work as good as Foster Hirsch’s The Dark Side of the Screen, a well-written, imaginatively illustrated book that sees the brief, true heyday as between Wilder’s Double Indemnity (1944) and his Sunset Boulevard (1950), but looks at the prelude and the aftermath, and sets the genre in its larger social and cultural context.” – Philip French, The Observer (London).

 

“An important examination of what film noir is…The 264-page treatise is not a review source; rather, Hirsch’s academic work delves deeply with a scholarly but not dry approach.” – Skyscraper, Spring 2009.

Ann Patchett, on the importance of books and reading:

 

You can't spend your whole life in front of a screen.
- Ann Patchett.
 

Introvert insight:

 

Whatever kind of introvert you are, some people will find you 'too much' in some ways and 'not enough' in others. 

- Laurie Helgoe.

 
There's zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.
- Susan Cain.
 

Blessed are those who do not fear solitude, who are not afraid of their own company, who are not always desperately looking for something to do, something to amuse themselves with, something to judge.
- Paulo Coello.
 

Beware of those who seek constant crowds; they are nothing alone.
- Charles Bukowski.

Born on this day – Laurence Trimble:

Photographed with Strongheart, the first dog to be a lead movie star (1930)

Laurence Trimble

Silent film director

Writer

Actor

February 15, 1885 – February 8, 1954

Credits:

A Cure for Pokeritis (1912); A Place in the Sun (1916); A Red Cross Martyr; or, on the Firing Lines of Tripoli (1912); A Tin-Type Romance (1910); A Welsh Singer (1915); A Window on Washington Park (1913); Alone in London (1915); As Ye Repent (1915); Auld Lang Syne (1911); Auld Robin Gray (1910); Bachelor Buttons (1912); Battle Hymn of the Republic (1917); Beyond the Law (1911); Billy the Kid (1911); Brawn of the North (1922); Bunny All at Sea (1912); Bunny and the Dogs (1912); Bunny at the Derby (1912); Bunny Blarneyed; or, the Blarney Stone (1913); Bunny's Suicide (1912); Cardinal Wolsey (1912); Caste (1915); Chased by Bloodhounds (1912); Checkmated (1913); Counsellor Bobby (1913); Creatures of Habit (1914); Cutey Plays Detective (1913); Daisy Doodad's Dial (1914); Daring Danger (1924); Darling Mine (1920); Does Advertising Pay? (1913); Doorsteps (1916); Drumsticks (1910); Everybody's Doing It (1913); Everybody's Sweetheart (1920); Far from the Madding Crowd (1915); Film Favourites (1914); Flapper Wives (1924); Flotilla the Flirt (1914); Fool's Gold (1919); For Her People (1914); Going Some (1920); Grim Justice (1916); Hee! Haw! (1923); Her Crowning Glory (1911); Her Mother's Wedding Gown (1910); Hypnotizing the Hypnotist (1911); In the Arctic Night (1911); Indian Romeo and Juliet (1912); Jean and the Calico Doll (1910); Jean and the Waif (1910); Jean Goes Fishing (1910); Jean Goes Foraging (1910); Jean Rescues (1911); Jean the Match-Maker (1910); Jean's Evidence (1913); Jean's Evidence (1913); Let 'Em Quarrel (1913); Lost and Won (1915); Man to Man (1911); Martha's Rebellion (1912); Michael McShane, Matchmaker (1912); Mine of Missing Men (1917); Mockery (1912); My Old Dutch (1915); My Old Dutch (1926); One Thing After Another (1914); One Touch of Nature (1911); Pandora's Box (1912); Playthings of Destiny (1921); Polly's Progress (1914); Prejudice of Pierre Marie (1911); Pumps (1913); Red Eagle (1911); Rose of Surrey (1913); Sally in Our Alley (1916); Saved by the Flag (1910); Shopgirls: or, The Great Question (1914); Sisters All (1913); Snobs (1914); Spotlight Sadie (1919); Suing Susan (1912); Sundown (1924); The Auction Block (1917); The Awakening of Jones (1912); The Awakening of Nora (1914); The Battle Hymn of the Republic (1911); The Deerslayer (1913); The French Spy (1912); The Great Adventure (1916); The Harper Mystery (1913); The House in Suburbia (1913); The Light Within (1918); The Love Master (1924); The Lucky Stone (1913); The Men Haters' Club (1910); The Murdoch Trial (1914); The Path of True Love (1912); The Pickwick Papers (1913); The Pickwick Papers: Part Three (1913); The Pseudo Sultan (1912); The Shepherd Lassie of Argyle (1914); The Shining Adventure (1925); The Signal of Distress (1912); The Silent Call (1921); The Silver Horde (1920); The Spreading Dawn (1917); The Stumbling Block (1911); The Wings of a Moth (1913); The Woman God Sent (1920); The Younger Sister (1913); There's Music in the Hair (1913); Through the Valley of Shadows (1914); Through the Valley of Shadows (1914); Two Cinders (1912); Under the Make-Up (1913); Up and Down the Ladder (1913); Vengeance - and the Woman (1917); When Bobby Forgot (1913); When the Light Waned (1911); Where the Winds Blow (1910); While She Powdered Her Nose (1912); White Fang (1925); Wig Wag (1911).

Born on this day – Howard Higgin:

 

Howard Higgin

Director

Writer

February 15, 1891 – December 16, 1938

Credits:

Battle of Greed (1937); Broken Barriers (1924); Cafe Hostess (1940); Carnival Lady (1933); Changing Husbands (1924); Don't Doubt Your Husband (1924); Fashion Row (1923); Hell's House (1932); Her Man (1930); High Voltage (1929); I Conquer the Sea! (1936); In the Name of Love (1925); King Kelly of the U.S.A. (1934); Marriage on Approval (1933); Power (1928); Rent Free (1922); Revolt of the Zombies (1936); Sal of Singapore (1928); Skyscraper (1928); Smouldering Fires (1925); The Crusades (1935); The Final Edition (1932); The Gold Racket (1937); The Great Deception (1926); The Invisible Ray (1935); The Last Man (1932); The Leatherneck (1929); The Line-Up (1934); The New Commandment (1925); The Painted Desert (1931); The Perfect Sap (1927); The Racketeer (1929); The Reckless Lady (1926); The Trouble with Wives (1925); The Wilderness Woman (1926); Tomorrow's Love (1925).

Born on this day – Kokomo Arnold:

 

Kokomo Arnold

Blues singer

Guitarist

February 15, 1896 or 1901 – November 8, 1968

Credits:

Songs:

Back Door Blues; Back to the Woods; Bad Luck Blues; Biscuit Roller Blues; Black Annie; Busy Bootin'; Chain Gang Blues; Feels So Good; Grandpa Got Drunk; Hobo Blues; How Long How Long Blues; I'm Going Fishing Too; Kokomo Blues; Long and Tall; Mean Old Twister; Milk Cow Blues; Old Black Cat Blues; Old Original Kokomo Blues; Paddlin' Blues; Paddlin' Madeline Blues; Policy Wheel Blues; Rainy Night Blues; Red Beans and Rice; Sagefield Woman Blues; Set Down Gal; Sissy Man Blues; Slop Jar Blues; Stop, Look and Listen; The Big Boat; The Twelves; Things 'Bout Coming My Way; You Shouldn't Do That.

Albums:

A as in ARNOLD, Kokomo (Volume 1) (2012); A as in ARNOLD, Kokomo (Volume 2) (2012); A Summer Sky Shines (2015); ABC Of The Blues Vol 5 (2010); ABC of the Blues Vol. 1 (2010); Bad Luck Blues (2015); Beans And Rice (2013); Best Blues (2016); Beyond Patina Jazz Masters: Kokomo Arnold (2012); Blues Experience Vol. 14 (2010); Blues Legends: Kokomo Arnold (2012); Blues Masters Vol. 14 - Kokomo Arnold (2009); Bootlegger Blues (2015); Bottleneck Guitar Trendsetters of the 1930's (1992); Bottlenecks (2023); Cold Winter Blues - The Best Of (2009); Collection 1930-38 (2020); Colours of Music History (2014); Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order, Volume 1: 17 May 1930 to 15 March 1935 (1991); Crying Blues (2015); It's All About Blues Music (2014); King of the Bottleneck Guitar (1934-1937) (2003); Kokomo Arnold (2008); Kokomo Arnold UpGraded Masters (All Tracks Remastered) (2019); Kokomo Arnold Vol. 1 (1930 - 1935) (2005); Kokomo Arnold Vol. 3 (1936 - 1937) (2005); Kokomo Arnold Vol. 4 (1933 - 1934) (2005); Kokomo Arnold, Vol. 2 (1935 - 1936) (2012); Laugh And Grin (2013); Mean Old Twister (2011); Midnight Blues (Nothing But the Blues) (1994); Milk Cow Blues (2010); Milk cow blues (2022 Remastered Version) (2022); Policy Wheel Blues (2015); Presenting Kokomo Arnold (1934); Red Beans and Rice (2011); Shake That Thing (2016); That's What I Need (2014); The Twelves (2015); The Ultimate Jazz Archive 12 (4 Of 4) (2007); Tonight in Time (2015); Try Some of That (2024); Your Music Around Me (2015).

Movies and television:

Aerosmith: Live Texxas Jam '78 (1989); Elvis: The Memphis Flash (2005); Hollywood a Go Go (1965); Shindig! (1965); The Beatles: Get Back (2021); Walk the Line (2005).

Born on this day – Sidney Gilliat:

Sidney Gilliat

Director

Writer

Producer

Actor

February 15, 1908 – May 31, 1994

Credits:

A Gentleman of Paris (1931); Afternoon Film Festival (1956); Alias Bulldog Drummond (1935); Ask a Policeman (1939); Au théâtre ce soir (1971); Bed and Breakfast (1930); Big Time Operators (1957); Bikini Baby (1951); Blue Murder at St. Trinian's (1957); Captain Boycott (1947); Chu Chin Chow (1934); Crook's Tour (1940); Doomed Cargo (1936); Dulcimer Street (1948); Endless Night (1972); Facing the Music (1933); Falling for You (1933); Folly to Be Wise (1952); Friday the Thirteenth (1933); Get Charlie Tully (1972); Gilbert and Sullivan (1953); Green for Danger (1946); I See a Dark Stranger (1946); Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday (1939); Jack Ahoy (1934); Jamaica Inn (1939); Joey Boy (1965); King of the Damned (1935); Kraft Theatre (1955); Left Right and Centre (1959); Lord Babs (1932); Lord Richard in the Pantry (1930); Marriage a la Mode (1955); Millions Like Us (1943); Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light (1941); My Heart Is Calling (1935); Night and Day (1932); Night Train to Munich (1940); Notorious Gentleman (1945); Only Two Can Play (1962); Orders Is Orders (1933); Partners in Crime (1942); Post Haste (1933); Red Pearls (1930); Rome Express (1932); She Played with Fire (1957); Sign Please (1933); Strange Boarders (1938); Strangers on a Honeymoon (1936); Take My Tip (1937); The Belles of St. Trinian's (1954); The Blue Lagoon (1949); The Boys in Blue (1983); The Bridal Path (1959); The Gaunt Stranger (1931); The Ghost Train (1931); The Girl in the News (1940); The Great Manhunt (1950); The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery (1966); The Green Man (1956); The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950); The Happy Ending (1931); The Lady Vanishes (1938); The Lady Vanishes (1979); The Man Who Lived Again (1936); The Moment of Truth (1952); The Open Window (1956); The Phantom Strikes (1938); The Pure Hell of St. Trinian's (1960); The Remarkable Mr. Kipps (1941); The Young Mr. Pitt (1942); They Came by Night (1940); Third Time Lucky (1931); Twelve Good Men (1936); Two Thousand Women (1944); Uncensored (1942); Unpublished Story (1942); Vor Nachbarn wird gewarnt (1965); Waterloo Road (1945); Where There's a Will (1936); You'd Be Surprised! (1930); You're Telling Me! (1941).

Born on this day – Paula Hill:

 

Paula Hill

Actress

February 15, 1926 – February 15, 2000

Credits:

Chump Change (2000); The Soldier of Fortune (1991); Mike Hammer (1958); M Squad (1958); Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre (1958); The Sad Sack (1957); The Joker Is Wild (1957); Dragnet (1956–1957); The Man Called X (1956–1957); Three Violent People (1956); Highway Patrol (1956); Hot Cars (1956); The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1955); The Loretta Young Show (1955); Playgirl (1954); Mesa of Lost Women (1953); The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953); Models Inc. (1952); Outlaw Women (1952); Aaron Slick from Punkin Crick (1952); Meet Danny Wilson (1952); The Greatest Show on Earth (1952); Highway 301 (1950); Love That Brute (1950); Hellfire (1949); Buffalo Bill Rides Again (1947).

Born on this day – Meg Wyllie:

Meg Wyllie

Actress

February 15, 1917 – January 1, 2002

In Star Trek (1966).

Credits:

1st & Ten (1987); 77 Sunset Strip (1960); A Man Called Shenandoah (1965); Alias Smith and Jones (1971); Angel (1960); Angie (1979); Babe (1975); Banyon (1972); Barnaby Jones (1974); Barney Miller (1976); Batman (1967); Beauty and the Beast (1962); Ben Casey (1961–1964); Benson (1979–1982); Better Late Than Never (1979); Bewitched (1969); Birth of a Timeless Legacy (2004); Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1964–1966); Bronk (1976); Brothers (1986); Bunco (1977); Cannon (1973); Channing (1964); Charlie's Angels (1977); Cimarron Strip (1967); Circle of Fear (1973); City of Angels (1976); Coach (1994); Cracking Up (1983); Days of Our Lives (1966–1980); Dear John (1990); Death Sentence (1974); Death Valley Days (1959–1962); Delta (1993); Designing Women (1989–1990); Dr. Kildare (1961–1962); Dragnet (1987); Eight Is Enough (1979); Elvis (1979); Emergency! (1972–1976); Family Matters (1993); Family Ties (1987); Fitzwilly (1967); Flight That Disappeared (1961); General Hospital (1982–1994); Goldie and the Boxer Go to Hollywood (1981); Good Heavens (1976); Guestward Ho! (1961); Gunsmoke (1973); Have Faith (1989); Have Gun - Will Travel (1958); Hennesey (1960); Highway to Heaven (1986); Hollywood Wives (1985); Hooperman (1988); How William Shatner Changed the World (2005); Ironside (1974); It Takes a Thief (1968); It's a Man's World (1962); Johnny Staccato (1976); Judd for the Defense (1968); Kojak (1975); Kraft Theatre / The Philco Television Playhouse (1955); Lassie (1966); Lipstick (1976); M Squad (1958); Mad About You (1994–1995); Major Dad (1992); Marnie (1964); Misfits of Science (1986); Mister Ed (1965); Mister Peepers (1952); Most Wanted (1976); Movin' On (1972); Mr. Belvedere (1987); My Three Sons (1963); Night Court (1985–1990); Nothing in Common (1986); Our Time (1974); Perry Mason (1962–1966); Peter Gunn (1959–1960); Playhouse 90 (1959); Police Story (1974); Police Woman (1974); Profiles in Courage (1964); Quincy, M.E. (1982); Rage! (1980); Reasonable Doubts (1991); Room 222 (1970); Run for Your Life (1966); Sea Hunt (1960); Search (1973); Second Thoughts (1983); Star Trek (1966); Steve Canyon (1959); Sutters Bay (1983); The Addams Family (1965); The Associates (1980); The Bob Newhart Show (1974); The Bold Ones: The Lawyers (1970); The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1970); The F.B.I. (1966–1971); The Facts of Life (1986); The Fanelli Boys (1991); The Fugitive (1965); The Girl with Something Extra (1973); The Golden Girls (1987–1991); The Last Starfighter (1984); The Law and Mr. Jones (1962); The Lawless Years (1961); The Loner (1966); The Love Boat (1977); The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964); The New Adam-12 (1990); The New Breed (1961); The Paper Chase (1984); The Rounders (1966); The Thorn Birds (1983); The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (1963–1964); The Tribe (1974); The Turning Point of Jim Malloy (1975); The Twilight Zone (1960); The Untouchables (1959–1962); The Virginian (1963–1970); The Waltons (1973); Then Came Bronson (1969); This Is the Life (1966–1968); Tightrope (1960); To Boldly Go ... Season One (2004); Vanishing Point (1971); Wagon Train (1959–1965); Who's the Boss? (1987); Worth Winning (1989); Zane Grey Theatre (1959).

On this day in movie history - Slightly Scarlet (1956)

Slightly Scarlet

directed by Allan Dwan,

written by Robert Blees,

based on the novel Love’s Lovely Counterfeit by James M. Cain,

was released in the United States on February 15, 1956.

Music by Louis Forbes.

Cast:

John Payne, Rhonda Fleming, Arlene Dahl, Kent Taylor, Ted de Corsia, Lance Fuller, Buddy Baer, Fred Aldrich, Murray Alper, Hy Anzell, Joanne Arnold, Ellen Corby, Sam Flint, Frank Gerstle, Roy Gordon, Myron Healey, Frank Jenks, Barry Norton, William ‘Bill’ Phillips, George E. Stone, Hal Taggart, Arthur Tovey, George D. Wallace.

On this day in movie history - Crazy Joe (1974)

 

Crazy Joe

directed by Carlo Lizzani,

written by Lewis John Carlino,

based on articles written by journalist Nicholas Gage,

was released in the United States on February 15, 1974.

Inspired by the true case of Joseph “Crazy Joe” Gallo (1929–1972).

Music by Giancarlo Chiaramello.

Cast:

Peter Boyle, Paula Prentiss, Fred Williamson, Rip Torn, Charles Cioffi, Luther Adler, Carmine Caridi, Henry Winkler, Sam Coppola, Franco Lantieri, Louis Guss, Fausto Tozzi, Guido Leontini, Mario Erpichini, Michael V. Gazzo, Adam Wade, Hervé Villechaize, Gabriele Torrei, Tony Chiaramonte, Peter Savage, Cornelia Sharpe, Henry Ferrentino, Joe Anile, Nino Ruggeri, Eli Wallach, Frank Adonis, John C. Becher, Nella Dina, Jill Elikann, Timothy Holley, Tony Lip, Alexander Orfaly, F. William Parker, Jay Rasumny, Dan Resin, Harrison Ressler, Robert Riesel, David Rosario, Steve Vignari, Ralph Wilcox.