Louisa May Alcott, on books:

...and best of all, the wilderness of books, in which she could wander, where she liked, made the library a region of bliss to her.

- Louisa May Alcott.

Recommended reading - The Philosophy of Film Noir

 

The Philosophy of Film Noir

The Philosophy of Film Noir
Edited by Mark T. Conard.
Foreword by Robert Porfirio.
 
Published by University Press of Kentucky.
First published 2005.
Paperback.
ASIN: 0813191815
ISBN-10: 9780813191812
ISBN-13: 978-0813191812
 
Description:
 

A drifter with no name and no past, driven purely by desire, is convinced by a beautiful woman to murder her husband. A hard-drinking detective down on his luck becomes involved with a gang of criminals in pursuit of a priceless artifact. The stories are at once romantic, pessimistic, filled with anxiety and a sense of alienation, and they define the essence of film noir. Noir emerged as a prominent American film genre in the early 1940s, distinguishable by its use of unusual lighting, sinister plots, mysterious characters, and dark themes. From The Maltese Falcon (1941) to Touch of Evil (1958), films from this classic period reflect an atmosphere of corruption and social decay that attracted such accomplished directors as John Huston, Alfred Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, and Orson Welles. The Philosophy of Film Noir is the first volume to focus exclusively on the philosophical underpinnings of these iconic films. Drawing on the work of diverse thinkers, from the French existentialist Albert Camus to the Frankurt school theorists Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno, the volume connects film noir to the philosophical questions of a modern, often nihilistic, world. Opening with an examination of what constitutes noir cinema, the book interprets the philosophical elements consistently present in the films―themes such as moral ambiguity, reason versus passion, and pessimism. The contributors to the volume also argue that the essence and elements of noir have fundamentally influenced movies outside of the traditional noir period. Neo-noir films such as Pulp Fiction (1994), Fight Club (1999), and Memento (2000) have reintroduced the genre to a contemporary audience. As they assess the concepts present in individual films, the contributors also illuminate and explore the philosophical themes that surface in popular culture. A close examination of one of the most significant artistic movements of the twentieth century, The Philosophy of Film Noir reinvigorates an intellectual discussion at the intersection of popular culture and philosophy.

 

"A satisfying book, as each of the authors brings a unique perspective to the discussion and they are able to isolate, identify, and explain some of the more subtle aspects of a genre which, on the surface, seems all about gangsters and pretty girls who done somebody wrong." – Blogcritics.
 
"Explores the philosophical underpinnings of movies from the classical noir period and . . . suggests that films aren't noir merely because they share a consistent tone, or certain visual conventions, with the likes of The Maltese Falcon, The Postman Always Rings Twice, and Double Indemnity." – Boston Globe.
 
"The essays work both as solid primers into philosophy, stretching from Aristotle to Schopenhauer, and as lucid excursions into the genre's dark, mean streets. . . . A fascinating, readable, and provocative book. . . . Highly recommended." – Choice.
 
"An intellectually seductive, hard-boiled romp through a world of moral murkiness, femme fatales, and desperately lonely protagonist." – Eric Bronson, editor of Baseball and Philosophy.
 
"The collection aims to achieve two goals: to introduce genuine philosophical problems and film noir characteristics, while providing sufficiently in-depth discussion that those familiar with either philosophical methods or film noir will not find the material too elementary. Although facing a difficult task, Conard has put together a collection that succeeds in both respects." – Intertexts.
 
"Dense and intriguing, the book suggests noir is best perceived as a slightly warped mirror held up to contemporary society." – Publishers Weekly.
 
"An excellent book, giving readers a very good sense of the rich philosophical resources in film noir." – Thomas Hibbs, author of Shows About Nothing.
 
"This collection of essays, delving into the films and elucidating their philosophical depths, is challenging and engaging. Read it and prepare to be provoked." – Les Reid, Philosophy Now.

Recommended reading - Moonwebs: Journey into the Mind of a Cult (1981)

 

Moonwebs: Journey into the Mind of a Cult

by Josh Freed.

 
Filmed as Ticket to Heaven (1981), directed by Ralph L. Thomas.
 
ISBN 13: 9780920528273
ISBN 10: 0920528279
ASIN: 0920528279
Published by Virgo.
First published 1981.
Paperback.
 
Description:
 
INSIDE THE MOONIES!
 
Benji Miller would still be entwined in the tentacles of the Unification Church, a victim of irresistible brainwashing techniques, if his friends as family had not risked thousands of dollars, criminal charges, and their own sanity, to kidnap Benji and ‘deprogram’ him. Author Josh Freed was with them.
 
He experienced the first stages of Moonie brainwashing and recounts in detail the harrowing techniques that thousands have fallen victim to. He described methods so powerful that anyone could succumb … your family … your friends … even you …
 
Praise for the book!
 
“…thought-provoking and persuasive…” – Books in Canada.
 
“… breathtaking and hilarious…” – Eve Drobot, The Globe and Mail.
 
“…this story is a valuable one…” – Quill and Quire.
 
“…one of the most frightening books on now on the market…” – Kitchener-Waterloo Record.
 
Praise for the movie!
 
“…riveting film …explosive depiction of a growing controversial issue.” – Rex Reed, New York Daily News.
 
“A first class social thriller.” – Variety.
 
“…completely absorbing…” – Chicago Sun-Times.
 
“…it is absorbing … touching on the chilling…” – Bruce Kirkland, Toronto Sun.
 
“An exciting, scary, psychological thriller.” – Martin Knelman, Toronto Life.
 
Moonwebs first appeared as a series of articles which won the National Newspaper Award as the best news story in Canada.

Born on this day – Irving Cummings:

Irving Cummings

Actor

Director

Writer

October 9, 1888 – April 18, 1959

Credits:

Double Dynamite (1951); The Dolly Sisters (1945); The Impatient Years (1944); What a Woman! (1943); Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943); Springtime in the Rockies (1942); My Gal Sal (1942); Louisiana Purchase (1941); Belle Starr (1941); The Devil and Miss Jones (1941); That Night in Rio (1941); Down Argentine Way (1940); Lillian Russell (1940); Everything Happens at Night (1939); Hollywood Cavalcade (1939); The Story of Alexander Graham Bell (1939); Jesse James (1939); Just Around the Corner (1938); Little Miss Broadway (1938); Merry-Go-Round of 1938 (1937); Vogues of 1938 (1937); White Hunter (1936); Girls' Dormitory (1936); Poor Little Rich Girl (1936); Curly Top (1935); It's a Small World (1935); The White Parade (1934); Grand Canary (1934); I Believed in You (1934); The Mad Game (1933); The Woman I Stole (1933); Man Hunt (1933); Man Against Woman (1932); The Night Club Lady (1932); Attorney for the Defense (1932); The Cisco Kid (1931); A Holy Terror (1931); A Devil with Women (1930); On the Level (1930); Cameo Kirby (1930); Behind That Curtain (1929); Not Quite Decent (1929); In Old Arizona (1928); Romance of the Underworld (1928); The Port of Missing Girls (1928); Dressed to Kill (1928); Life in Hollywood No. 4 (1927); The Brute (1927); Bertha, the Sewing Machine Girl (1926); The Country Beyond (1926); The Midnight Kiss (1926); Rustling for Cupid (1926); The Johnstown Flood (1926); Infatuation (1925); The Desert Flower (1925); Just a Woman (1925); One Year to Live (1925); As Man Desires (1925); The Rose of Paris (1924); In Every Woman's Life (1924); Riders Up (1924); The Dancing Cheat (1924); Stolen Secrets (1924); Fools Highway (1924); Broken Hearts of Broadway (1923); East Side - West Side (1923); The Drug Traffic (1923); Rupert of Hentzau (1923); Environment (1922); The Jilt (1922); Broad Daylight (1922); Paid Back (1922); Environment (1922); The Eternal Flame (1922); Flesh and Blood (1922); The Man from Hell's River (1922); The Avenger (1922); Don't Get Personal (1922); Campbell of the Mounted (1922); Valley of the Missing (1922); Jules of the River (1922); Trapped (1922); The False Trail (1921); The Blasphemer (1921); Cameron of the Royal Mounted (1921); The Rope's End (1921); Corporal Jim's Ward (1921); Patsy's Jim (1921); Tricked (1921); On the Trail (1921); Beautifully Trimmed (1920); Old Dad (1920); The Round-up (1920); The Saphead (1920); Harriet and the Piper (1920); The Ladder of Lies (1920); Sex (1920); The Tree of Knowledge (1920); The 13th Commandment (1920); Everywoman (1919); What Every Woman Learns (1919); The Greater Sinner (1919); The Better Wife (1919); Secret Service (1919); Men, Women, and Money (1919); Some Bride (1919); The Scar (1919); Her Code of Honor (1919); The Unveiling Hand (1919); Mandarin's Gold (1919); Don't Change Your Husband (1919); The Bluffer (1919); Auction of Souls (1919); The Woman Who Gave (1918); Merely Players (1918); The Heart of a Girl (1918); The Interloper (1918); Toys of Fate (1918); The Struggle Everlasting (1918); The Debt of Honor (1918); An American Widow (1917); A Man's Law (1917); Rasputin, the Black Monk (1917); Wrath of Love (1917); A Royal Romance (1917); The Whip (1917); Sister Against Sister (1917); The Hidden Scar (1916); The Gilded Cage (1916); The World's Great Snare (1916); The Feud Girl (1916); The Saleslady (1916); His Brother's Debt (1915); The Derelict (1915); The Haunting Memory (1915); A Polar Romance (1915); The Lure of the Mask (1915); Dreams Realized (1915); The Diamond from the Sky (1915); The Once Over (1915); The First Stone (1915); When the Fire Bell Rang (1915); In the Mansion of Loneliness (1915); The Doctor's Strategy (1915); The Haunting Memory (1915); The Happier Man (1915); The Three of Us (1914); Over the Ledge (1914); The Diamond of Disaster (1914); The Varsity Race (1914); Conscience (1914); The Last Volunteer (1914); The Messenger of Death (1914); The Leaven of Good (1914); For Her Child (1914); The Million Dollar Mystery (1914); The Man Without Fear (1914); From the Shadows (1914); Pamela Congreve (1914); The Dawn of Romance (1914); A Leech of Industry (1914); Broken Lives (1914); Jane Eyre (1914); In the Mesh of Her Hair (1914); A Sword of Damocles (1914); The Resurrection (1914); The Finger of Fate (1913); The Missing Ring (1913); The Stolen Woman (1913); The Glow Worm (1913); Success (1913); The Fight for Right (1913); The Higher Justice (1913); A Hospital Romance (1913); Her Rosary (1913); Ashes (1913); The Tangled Web (1913); The Madcap of the Hills (1913); Italian Love (1913); The Master Cracksman (1913); London Assurance (1913); The Big Boss (1913); A Cruel Suspicion (1913); The Good Within (1913); The Bawlerout (1913); Held for Ransom (1913); For Love of Columbine (1913); The Grey Sentinel (1913); The Woman Who Knew (1913); The Judge's Vindication (1913); The Vengeance of Heaven (1913); The Man from Outside (1913); The Birthday Cake (1913); The Bells (1913); The Strike Leader (1913); The Marked Card (1913); The Open Road (1913); Duty and the Man (1913); The Fires of Conscience (1912); The Old Mam'selle's Secret (1912); The Brother of the Bat (1912); Don César de Bazan (1912); The Faith Healer (1912); Men Who Dare (1912); The Peddler's Find (1912); Guy Mannering (1912); Caleb West (1912); Thelma (1912); The Poisoners (1912); The Gypsy Bride (1912); Sisters (1912); Camille (1912); Mrs. Alden's Awakening (1912); The Life of Buffalo Bill (1912); For Home and Honor (1912); Revolution in a Bachelors' Club (1911); At the Window (1911); The Maid of Niagara (1910); His Yankee Girl (1910).

Born on this day – Renée Devillers:

Renée Devillers

Actress

October 9, 1902 – August 5, 2000

Credits:

Au théâtre ce soir (1968); Les temps difficiles (1966); Barberine (1965); Les femmes savantes (1964); Therese (1962); Climats (1962); Plaisir du théâtre (1958–1960); Secret professionnel (1959); Notre petite ville (1959); La Confession (1959); Si c'était vous? (1958); C'était un gentleman (1957); Fernand clochard (1957); Miss Nitouche (1954); Royal Affairs in Versailles (1954); The Immature Grain (1954); L'appel du destin (1953); French Touch (1952); Perfectionist (1951); Cartouche, roi de Paris (1950); Le droit de l'enfant (1949); The Lame Devil (1948); Monelle (1948); The Last Vacation (1948); Fausse identité (1947); Roger la Honte (1946); Lunegarde (1946); The Heart of a Nation (1943); The Blue Veil (1942); Les affaires sont les affaires (1942); La femme que j'ai le plus aimée (1942); I Accuse (1938); L'appel de la vie (1937); L'homme du jour (1937); Le billet de mille (1935); Ma femme... homme d'affaires (1932); The Sweetness of Loving (1930); L'affaire du train 24 (1921).

Born on this day – Danièle Delorme:

 

Danièle Delorme

Actress

Producer

October 9, 1926 – October 17, 2015

Born on this day – Michael Palmer:

Michael Palmer

Physician

Writer

October 9, 1943 – October 30, 2013

Credits:

Books:

Oath of Office (2012); Political Suicide (2012); Resistant (2014); The Sisterhood (1982); Side Effects (1986); Flashback (1988); Extreme Measures (1991); Natural Causes (1994); Silent Treatment (1995); Critical Judgment (1996); Miracle Cure (1998); The Patient (2000); Fatal (2002); The Society (2004); The Fifth Vial (2007); The First Patient (2008); The Second Opinion (2009); The Last Surgeon (2010); A Heartbeat Away (2011); Trauma (2015); Mercy (2016); The First Family (2018); Disfigured (2006); The Dead Club (2010); Disfigured (2006); The Dead Club (2010); On Call (2012); Natural Suspect (2001); Thriller: Stories To Keep You Up All Night (2006); First Thrills (2010); No Rest for the Dead (2011); In Search of Humanity (2015).

Movies and television:

Book Case TV (2013); Extreme Measures (1996); Silent Treatment (2012).

On this day in movie history - The French Connection (1971)

The French Connection

directed by William Friedkin,

written by Ernest Tidyman,

based on the book by Robin Moore,

was released in the United States on October 9, 1971.

Music by Don Ellis.

Cast:

Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco, Marcel Bozzuffi, Frédéric de Pasquale, Bill Hickman, Ann Rebbot, Harold Gary, Arlene Farber, Eddie Egan, André Ernotte, Sonny Grosso, Benny Marino, Patrick McDermott, Alan Weeks, Al Fann, Irving Abrahams, Randy Jurgensen, William Coke, The Three Degrees, Frank Adonis, Gilda Albertoni, Robert Dahdah, Frank Durk, Rhina Ferrari, Sarina C. Grant, Joe Lo Grippo, Melonie Haller, Eric Jones, Gladys Lane, Jean Luisi, Doris McCarthy, Charles McGregor, Lora Mitchell, Maureen Mooney, Santos Morales, Silvano Nolemi, Burt Richards, Willy Switkes, Fat Thomas, Robert Weil.

On this day in movie history - Ticket to Heaven (1981)

Ticket to Heaven

directed by Ralph L. Thomas,

written by Josh Freed, Anne Cameron and Ralph L. Thomas,

based on the book Moonwebs: Journey into the Mind of a Cult by Josh Freed,

was released in the United States on October 9, 1981.

Music by Micky Erbe and Maribeth Solomon.

Cast:

Nick Mancuso, Saul Rubinek, Meg Foster, Kim Cattrall, R.H. Thomson, Jennifer Dale, Guy Boyd, Dixie Seatle, Paul Soles, Harvey Atkin, Robert Joy, Stephen Markle, Timothy Webber, Patrick Brymer, Marcia Diamond, Michael Zelniker, Denise Naples, Angelo Rizacos, Cindy Girling, Gina Dick, Chris Britton, Margot Dionne, Claire Pimparé, Lynne Kolber, Lyn Harvey, Josh Freed, Candace O'Connor, Michael Wincott, Doris Petrie, Judy Marshak, David Main, Grant Slater, Les Rubie, Sandra Gies, Susan Hannon, Marie Lynn Hammond, Paul Booth, Charles Gray, Brian Leonard, Ron Nigrini, Craig Stephens.

On this day in movie history - I, the Jury (1982)

I, the Jury

directed by Richard T. Heffron,

written by Larry Cohen, and based on the novel by Mickey Spillane,

was released in the United States on October 9, 1982.

Music by Bill Conti.

Cast:

Armand Assante, Barbara Carrera, Laurene Landon, Alan King, Geoffrey Lewis, Paul Sorvino, Judson Scott, Barry Snider, Julia Barr, Jessica James, Frederick Downs Jr., Mary Margaret Amato, F.J. O'Neil, William G. Schilling, Robert Sevra, Don Pike, Timothy Meyers, Leigh Harris, Lynette Harris, Gwyn / Gwynn Gillis, Mike Miller, Alex Stevens, Bobbie Burns, M. Sharon Madigan, Richard Russell Ramos, Norman Blankenship, Daniel Faraldo, H. Richard Greene, Felicity Adler, Jodi Douglas, Lee H. Doyle, Cheryl Henry, Michael Fiorello, Herb Peterson, Richard Dahlia, Aaron Barsky, Ernest Harada, Larry Pine, Joe Farago, Alan Dellay, Jack Davidson, Loring Pickering, Corinne Bohrer, Bobby Astyr, Roger Caine, Michael Cullum, Samantha Fox, Linda Hamil, David Lauren, Candida Royalle, Marlene Willoughby.

On this day in movie history - Someone to Watch Over Me (1987)

Someone to Watch Over Me

directed by Ridley Scott,

written by Howard Franklin,

was released in the United States on October 9, 1987.

Music by Michael Kamen.

Cast:

Tom Berenger, Mimi Rogers, Lorraine Bracco, Jerry Orbach, John Rubinstein, Andreas Katsulas, Tony DiBenedetto, James E. Moriarty, Mark Moses, Daniel Hugh Kelly, Harley Cross, Joanne Baron, Anthony Bishop, David Berman, Sharon K. Brecke, Peter Carew, Christopher Cass, Jim Paul Eilers, Suzi Gilder, Mary Gillis, Billy Kane, Helen Lambros, Jack McGee, Meg Mundy, Jeff Nielsen, Harlan Cary Poe, Marilyn Rockafellow, Helen Tran, Harvey Vernon, Mark Voland, Anthony Caso, John Corbett, Jack Couch, Louis Durra, Joey Gironda, Timothy Klein, John Sobestanovich.

On this day in movie history - Homicide (1991)

Homicide

directed and written by David Mamet,

was released in the United States on October 9, 1991.

Music by Alaric Jans.

Cast:

Joe Mantegna, William H. Macy, Ving Rhames, Natalia Nogulich, Vincent Guastaferro, J. J. Johnston, Lionel Mark Smith, Rebecca Pidgeon, Ricky Jay, Roberta Custer, Charles Stransky, Bernard Gray, Paul Butler.

On this day in movie history - Vanishing of the Bees (2009)

Vanishing of the Bees

a documentary by Hive Mentality Films & Hipfuel Films,

directed by George Langworthy and Maryam Henein,

written by Maryam Henein, George Langworthy and James Erskine,

was released in the United Kingdom on October 9, 2009.

Music by Stars of the Lid.

Cast:

Elliot Page, Bret Adee, Dennis Cardoza, Henri Clement, Jay Feldman, Emilia Fox, Maryann Frazier, Jean Glavany, Davey Hackenberg, David Hackenberg, Gunther Hauk, Wayne Larsen, Dee Lusby, David Mendes, Philipp Mimkes, Mike Painter, Jeff Pettis, David Pettit, Michael Pollan, Billy Rhodes, Rick Smith, Randy Stone, Tom Theobald, Ava Tuenge, Tia Tuenge, Fred Westerhold.