(NOIR) Night and the City - 1950 ** 1/2

Although this is always thought of as one of the best noirs out there I was completely uninterested and underwhelmed by it. I've seen a fair few noirs so do have some sort of idea as to how they work. This was a noir certainly, but the acting (completely over the top by Richard Widmark) was appalling, and the story crumbled as it went on. Based around a crooked named Harry Fabien (Widmark) and his decline into the underworld of criminal activity and illegal wrestling this film pulled barely any punches, and I was left gobsmacked by the ridiculous if not slightly laughable ending. Gene Tierney is beautiful but even she couldn't save this film, or Herbert Lom, and Googie Withers fell very short of the grade as well. Added to which, for a film set in the 1930s it had a surprisingly 1950s feel to it (which is hardly surprising).

(NOIR) The Shanghai Gesture - 1941 ****

I would imagine that this completely underrated classic was very shocking for it's time. It followed the decline of a woman who goes to Shanghai for some fun and excitement and becomes obsessed with gambling at the hands of the casino's owner 'Mother Gin Sling'.

One thing that stands out in this neo-drama is Gene Tierney's outstanding acting. She really acted her socks off and you believe every word that she says. She also seems to take on this amazing physical transformation throughout the course of the film, starting out with a bubbly, lively girl, and ending with a tortured, bedraggled addict. Amazing.

PS Victor Mature is great as well in his fez hat.