Film Noir
Film Noir, a term coined by French
critics, grew out of the pulp novels of the 1920’s and 30’s. Authors such
as Dashell Hammett and Raymond Chandler laid the groundwork with their
novels and short stories. Hollywood, enjoying its “Golden Age”, made
several notable forays in the style, but the themes of betrayal,
alienation and obsession were the antithesis of the films of the
Depression. It would take the post World War II era to really set the
classic noir in motion. As the studio system began to fade in the late
40’s and the “happy ending” was no longer required, a final element was in
place. Stars like
Humphrey Bogart,
John Garfield,
Robert Mitchum and
Burt Lancaster helped define the image of noir’s anti-hero.
Some of noir’s signature titles such as
This Gun For Hire,
Gun Crazy,
Kiss Me Deadly and
Somewhere in the Night were breakthroughs not only on the
big screen (many appreciated only in retrospect) but the posters
advertising them presented a new look. Action-packed images, many
reflecting their pulp novel roots, captured attention during the film’s
initial run and still do to this day. As movie poster collecting has grown
into a worldwide business, appreciation for these images remains a
constant.