<a href="https://www.celluloiddirt.com" rel="nofollow">Celluloid Dirt</a> is a movie discussion show where two friends get together to watch new and familiar noir films, then talk about them. We alternate between stand alone episodes and seasons exploring specific conventions, themes and tropes of the genre over time - such as private eyes, femme fatales, or organized crime.Written and Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="https://www.fredpelzer.com" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/8/20/89de2741-4377-4184-aa34-99be2f745181_02-11_end_of_an_era.mp3

As we come to the end of the classic noir era, we wrap up our examination of the femme fatale through two late-career pictures from some of the best who ever did it, Fritz Lang and Otto Preminger, both no strangers to this podcast. Angel Face and Human Desire together represent an intriguing evolution of the femme fatale, right as a new wave of cultural upheaval approaches and the genre departs Hollywood for a few decades. Join us as end one age but begin another with two more women who kill. Recommendations:Tristan: <a href="https://letterboxd.com/thearcher87/film/shree-420/" rel="nofollow">Shree 420</a>Fred: <a href="https://letterboxd.com/national2080/film/rebecca/" rel="nofollow">Rebecca</a>, <a href="https://letterboxd.com/national2080/film/seven-beauties/" rel="nofollow">Seven Beauties</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Angel Face (1953) & Human Desire (1954)

As we come to the end of the classic noir era, we wrap up our examination of the femme fatale through two late-career pictures from some of the best who ever did it, Fritz Lang and Otto Preminger, both no strangers to this podcast. Angel Face and Human Desire together represent an intriguing evolution of the femme fatale, right as a new wave of cultural upheaval approaches and the genre departs Hollywood for a few decades. Join us as end one age but begin another with two more women who kill. 



Recommendations:

Tristan: Shree 420

Fred: Rebecca, Seven Beauties


Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Femme Fatale: End of an Era

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/31/4/268a8d7d-6568-4eee-ab50-9fb00de5d3e0_02-10_marriage_story.mp3

The battle of the sexes takes on a literal dimension with these two marriage focused tales of infidelity and violence. We&#39;re heading out of the big city, first to visit a sleepy fishing town on the Northern California coast, and then across the country for the greatest honeymoon destination of them all, Niagara Falls. And we&#39;ll have none other than Marilyn Monroe along with us for the ride, so buckle up because somebody&#39;s bound to go over the waterfall before it&#39;s all said and done.Recommendations:Tristan: <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/nagina/" rel="nofollow">Nagina</a>, <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/jewel-thief/" rel="nofollow">Jewel Thief</a>Fred: <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/eye-of-the-devil/" rel="nofollow">Eye of the Devil</a>, <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/night-is-short-walk-on-girl/" rel="nofollow">Night is Short Walk on Girl</a>, <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/margaret/" rel="nofollow">Margaret</a>, <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/johnny-guitar/" rel="nofollow">Johnny Guitar</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Clash By Night (1952) & Niagara (1953)

The battle of the sexes takes on a literal dimension with these two marriage focused tales of infidelity and violence. We're heading out of the big city, first to visit a sleepy fishing town on the Northern California coast, and then across the country for the greatest honeymoon destination of them all, Niagara Falls. And we'll have none other than Marilyn Monroe along with us for the ride, so buckle up because somebody's bound to go over the waterfall before it's all said and done.

Recommendations:

Tristan: Nagina, Jewel Thief

Fred: Eye of the Devil, Night is Short Walk on Girl, Margaret, Johnny Guitar

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Femme Fatale: Marriage Story

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/24/3/bc127518-a3d0-4527-82ca-87f204050f49_02-09_la_femme_abroad.mp3

U.S. noir crashes headfirst into the burgeoning European art house in a fiery car wreck of subdued passions and bourgeois ennui. Come for the brooding car mechanics, stay for the affairs of the heart with this double feature.Recommendations:Our respective Top 10s of 2023! Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Death is a Caress (1949) & Story of a Love Affair (1950)

U.S. noir crashes headfirst into the burgeoning European art house in a fiery car wreck of subdued passions and bourgeois ennui. Come for the brooding car mechanics, stay for the affairs of the heart with this double feature.

Recommendations:

Our respective Top 10s of 2023!


Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Femme Fatale: La Femme Abroad

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/17/2/2b94ddbd-b2a5-4af5-914a-2b947141514f_02.08_rita_hayworth.mp3

Last episode, we learned what happens, sometimes, when you get in deep with the boss’s wife. But what happens when that wife is played by Rita Hayworth? A whole lotta great noir, as this week&#39;s episode proves, with a double bill of Gilda and The Lady From Shanghai.Recommendations:Tristan - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/late-spring/" rel="nofollow">Late Spring</a>Fred - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/next-of-kin-1982/" rel="nofollow">Next of Kin</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Gilda (1946) & The Lady From Shanghai (1947)

Last episode, we learned what happens, sometimes, when you get in deep with the boss’s wife. But what happens when that wife is played by Rita Hayworth? A whole lotta great noir, as this week's episode proves, with a double bill of Gilda and The Lady From Shanghai.

Recommendations:

Tristan - Late Spring

Fred - Next of Kin

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Femme Fatale: Rita Hayworth

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/9/20/2bc1e0c1-0f0d-44a5-bcf9-05077f1ff0f6_02-07_the_boss_s_wife.mp3

There&#39;s something so sturdy, so fundamental to the format: a drifter comes to town. He gets a job - and then he meets the boss&#39;s wife. And suddenly everything goes to hell. In tonight&#39;s episode we begin a double header of boss&#39;s wife stories with the first U.S. adaptation of The Postman Always Rings Twice followed by the ice rink noir (!) Suspense.Recommendations:Tristan - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/the-timekeepers-of-eternity/" rel="nofollow">Timekeepers of Eternity</a>, <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/city-of-pirates/" rel="nofollow">City of Pirates</a>Fred - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/stop-making-sense/" rel="nofollow">Stop Making Sense</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) & Suspense (1946)

There's something so sturdy, so fundamental to the format: a drifter comes to town. He gets a job - and then he meets the boss's wife. And suddenly everything goes to hell. In tonight's episode we begin a double header of boss's wife stories with the first U.S. adaptation of The Postman Always Rings Twice followed by the ice rink noir (!) Suspense.

Recommendations:

Tristan - Timekeepers of Eternity, City of Pirates

Fred - Stop Making Sense

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Femme Fatale: The Boss's Wife

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/4/4/4dd23097-1726-4716-8dbc-fcb1772a3da8_02-06_the_patsy.mp3

We&#39;re back from an unexpected holiday break to look at the yang to the femme fatale&#39;s yin - the patsy. We&#39;re going to examine two very different versions of the archetype filled out by classic noir actors - one a soulful sucker played by Edward G. Robinson, the other a suspicious drifter played by Glenn Ford, in our double header of Scarlet Street and Framed.Recommendations:Tristan - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/center-stage-1991/" rel="nofollow">Center Stage</a>Fred - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/the-timekeepers-of-eternity/" rel="nofollow">Timekeepers of Eternity</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Scarlet Street (1945)& Framed (1947)

We're back from an unexpected holiday break to look at the yang to the femme fatale's yin - the patsy. We're going to examine two very different versions of the archetype filled out by classic noir actors - one a soulful sucker played by Edward G. Robinson, the other a suspicious drifter played by Glenn Ford, in our double header of Scarlet Street and Framed.

Recommendations:

Tristan - Center Stage

Fred - Timekeepers of Eternity

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Femme Fatale: The Patsy

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/11/29/14/91ac9d9a-e72d-4044-ad52-eb81768bf367_untitled.mp3

What happens when you take the jaded fatalism of noir and mix it with the character-first focus of classic melodrama? Two fantastic films of the 1940s, Leave Her to Heaven and Mildred Pierce, each of which involves a self-absorbed young woman destroying her family in pursuit of her own slice of the American dream. Recommendations:Tristan - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/rocky-aur-rani-kii-prem-kahaani/" rel="nofollow">Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani</a>Fred - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/sunrise-a-song-of-two-humans/" rel="nofollow">Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans</a> &amp; <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/the-earrings-of-madame-de/" rel="nofollow">Earrings of Madame de...</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Leave Her to Heaven (1945) & Mildred Pierce (1945)

What happens when you take the jaded fatalism of noir and mix it with the character-first focus of classic melodrama? Two fantastic films of the 1940s, Leave Her to Heaven and Mildred Pierce, each of which involves a self-absorbed young woman destroying her family in pursuit of her own slice of the American dream. 

Recommendations:

Tristan - Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

Fred - Sunset & Earings of Madame de...

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Femme Fatale: All in the Family

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/11/22/0/430f9060-c558-42cc-b61c-e5db7b22361f_02.04.mp3

July 1944. Los Angeles. Enter Barbara Stanwyck as Phyllis Dietrichson, high atop a looming stairwell, clad only in a towel. Enter the femme fatale, as we know her, into classic Hollywood. Counter-balancing the icy-cold Phyllis Dietrichson is a no-less chilly, but far more sympathetic waitress named Stella, drawn from a comparatively minor Otto Preminger film. Both women slot neatly into the developing vision of women who pull over-eager protagonists into their wake, but their stories unfold in starkly different fashions. Join us as we look at Double Indemnity and Fallen Angel.Recommendations:Tristan - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/thief/" rel="nofollow">Thief</a> &amp; <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/the-last-of-the-mohicans-1992/" rel="nofollow">The Last of the Mohicans</a>Fred - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/electra-my-love/" rel="nofollow">Electra, My Love</a> &amp; <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem/" rel="nofollow">Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Double Indemnity (1944) & Fallen Angel (1945)

July 1944. Los Angeles. Enter Barbara Stanwyck as Phyllis Dietrichson, high atop a looming stairwell, clad only in a towel. Enter the femme fatale, as we know her, into classic Hollywood. Counter-balancing the icy-cold Phyllis Dietrichson is a no-less chilly, but far more sympathetic waitress named Stella, drawn from a comparatively minor Otto Preminger film. Both women slot neatly into the developing vision of women who pull over-eager protagonists into their wake, but their stories unfold in starkly different fashions. Join us as we look at Double Indemnity and Fallen Angel.

Recommendations:

Tristan - Thief & The Last of the Mohicans

Fred - Electra, My Love & Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Femme Fatale: Golden Age Dames

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/11/15/2/1a4b9dbd-027f-4b4d-86c5-0ed47d46335a_02-03_-_continental_killer.mp3

Before noir reached American shores, it was festering in Europe in the shadow of fascism. The femme fatale was no different, her need for advancement intersecting with the oppressive environment swallowing the continent. Tonight we&#39;ll be looking at three different examples of the proto femme fatale as it crosses over with poetic realism and neorealism - and two of them come from that noir ur-text, The Postman Always Rings Twice. By comparing La Bete Humaine (1938), The Last Turning (1939), &amp; Ossessione (1943) we can take a snapshot of the femme fatale right before the noir era kicks off and becomes the archetype we know and love today.Recommendations:Tristan - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/one-way-passage/" rel="nofollow">One Way Passage</a>Fred - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/barbie/" rel="nofollow">Barbie</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

La Bete Humaine (1938), The Last Turning (1939), & Ossessione (1943)

Before noir reached American shores, it was festering in Europe in the shadow of fascism. The femme fatale was no different, her need for advancement intersecting with the oppressive environment swallowing the continent. Tonight we'll be looking at three different examples of the proto femme fatale as it crosses over with poetic realism and neorealism - and two of them come from that noir ur-text, The Postman Always Rings Twice. By comparing La Bete Humaine (1938), The Last Turning (1939), & Ossessione (1943) we can take a snapshot of the femme fatale right before the noir era kicks off and becomes the archetype we know and love today.

Recommendations:

Tristan - One Way Passage

Fred - Barbie

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Femme Fatale: Continental Killer

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/11/8/0/76daf471-d4d7-456f-94d7-6f333874cc2a_02-02_-_the_fallen_woman.mp3

We look back to the prehistory of noir and the early days of cinema to find the origins of the femme fatale on the silver screen. A tale as old as time - in this case, all the way back to Greek myth. In today&#39;s episode we delve into three films from the tail end of silent cinema and the start of the sound era - Pandora&#39;s Box, The Blue Angel, &amp; La Chienne - to examine the fallen woman and see how she foretells the fatale&#39;s form. Recommendations:Tristan - <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14671678/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" rel="nofollow">Deadloch</a>Fred - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/queen-of-earth/" rel="nofollow">Queen of Earth</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Pandora's Box (1929) & The Blue Angel (1930) & La Chienne (1931)

We look back to the prehistory of noir and the early days of cinema to find the origins of the femme fatale on the silver screen. A tale as old as time - in this case, all the way back to Greek myth. In today's episode we delve into three films from the tail end of silent cinema and the start of the sound era - Pandora's Box, The Blue Angel, & La Chienne - to examine the fallen woman and see how she foretells the fatale's form. 

Recommendations:

Tristan - Deadloch

Fred - Queen of Earth

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Femme Fatale: Fallen Woman

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/10/31/23/99231e16-1810-438d-80b8-a2d367098d5a_02-01_season_intro.mp3

The Femme Fatale occupies a titanic place in the history of cinema, especially in the first half of the 20th century. She goes by many names and takes even more forms. The Chanteuse. The Fallen Woman. The Boss’s Wife. Sometimes she is wicked. Sometimes she’s just in a bad way. Invariably, she is tied to the downfall, or at least temptation, of a male protagonist. In narrative terms, she is a disruptive force. Trouble with a capital T.So grab a drink and settle in. For the next twenty four weeks, we’ll be examining some of cinema’s grand dames, tracing the evolution of the femme fatale from silent cinema to today, looking for footprints from designer heels deep in the celluloid dirt.Recommendations:Tristan - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/nausicaa-of-the-valley-of-the-wind/" rel="nofollow">Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind</a>Fred - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/" rel="nofollow">The Good, The Bad, &amp; The Ugly</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

The Femme Fatale occupies a titanic place in the history of cinema, especially in the first half of the 20th century. She goes by many names and takes even more forms. The Chanteuse. The Fallen Woman. The Boss’s Wife. Sometimes she is wicked. Sometimes she’s just in a bad way. Invariably, she is tied to the downfall, or at least temptation, of a male protagonist. In narrative terms, she is a disruptive force. Trouble with a capital T.

So grab a drink and settle in. For the next twenty four weeks, we’ll be examining some of cinema’s grand dames, tracing the evolution of the femme fatale from silent cinema to today, looking for footprints from designer heels deep in the celluloid dirt.

Recommendations:

Tristan - Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Fred - The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Femme Fatale: Introduction

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/10/17/23/0b6ef3b7-9fd9-4bc4-bab3-567ad01d6298_femme_fatale_teaser.mp3

We&#39;re back with another season to tackle an additional core element of film noir - the femme fatale. Get a little taste before the new season starts in Noirvember.

We're back with another season to tackle an additional core element of film noir - the femme fatale. Get a little taste before the new season starts in Noirvember.

Femme Fatale: Teaser

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/9/1/18/b88d082f-7b57-4d48-a343-debffd11c876_00.07-poodle_springs___marlowe.mp3

As we get ready to launch our next season of noir samplings, we make a quick return visit to season 1&#39;s private eye, specifically Marlowe, as he makes his triumphant(?) theatrical return with Neil Jordan&#39;s Marlowe. We continue the old man Marlowe routine by connecting this film back to 1998&#39;s Poodle Springs, a Marlowe adaptation directed by Bob Rafelson for HBO and starring James Caan in the titular role. What else is left to say about an over the hill PI? Let&#39;s find out. Recommendations:Tristan - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/at-land/" rel="nofollow">At Land</a>Fred - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/sex-lies-and-videotape/" rel="nofollow">sex, lies, and videotape</a>; <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/cool-hand-luke/" rel="nofollow">Cool Hand Luke</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Poodle Springs (1998) & Marlowe (2022)

As we get ready to launch our next season of noir samplings, we make a quick return visit to season 1's private eye, specifically Marlowe, as he makes his triumphant(?) theatrical return with Neil Jordan's Marlowe. We continue the old man Marlowe routine by connecting this film back to 1998's Poodle Springs, a Marlowe adaptation directed by Bob Rafelson for HBO and starring James Caan in the titular role. What else is left to say about an over the hill PI? Let's find out. 

Recommendations:

Tristan - At Land

Fred - sex, lies, and videotape; Cool Hand Luke

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & Fred Pelzer

A Strange Phantom Production

Music by Kevin MacLeod.

Learn more about us or follow us on Letterboxd

The Return of Marlowe

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/2/22/4/bb6fbdfc-fd0d-4472-a3bd-4db263c7090a_1.20_-_take-away.mp3

Every case must come to an end, and sometimes you even get to wrap it up in a neat little bow. Over these 20 episodes and 41 movies we&#39;ve tracked the private eye across decades and state lines, cultural movements and cinematic epochs. But some things have stayed mostly the same - a wrong that needs righting, a flatfoot who can&#39;t help taking the case, and a daily rate, plus expenses. And maybe that&#39;s enough, for a world gone as screwy as ours.Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Every case must come to an end, and sometimes you even get to wrap it up in a neat little bow. Over these 20 episodes and 41 movies we've tracked the private eye across decades and state lines, cultural movements and cinematic epochs. But some things have stayed mostly the same - a wrong that needs righting, a flatfoot who can't help taking the case, and a daily rate, plus expenses. And maybe that's enough, for a world gone as screwy as ours.


Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Private Eye: The Take-Away

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/2/15/3/26eeaaea-d55b-4379-9abf-3d6fcc7efd92_1.19_-_signal_to_noise.mp3

The deeper into the 21st century we travel, the greater the confusion grows. With so much input - from news, tv, internet, social media, youtube, tik tok, and whatever new, even faster mode will arrive tomorrow - the possibility of an absolute truth seems farther and farther away. What&#39;s a detective to do when fact has become subjective and our individual realities grown so far apart? That&#39;s one of the questions grappled with in our final two movies, Inherent Vice and Under the Silver Lake, as we close out this season of the Private Detective. Recommendations:Tristan - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/the-red-shoes/" rel="nofollow">The Red Shoes</a>, <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/pathaan/" rel="nofollow">Pathaan</a>Fred - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/a-serious-man/" rel="nofollow">A Serious Man</a>, <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/suspiria/" rel="nofollow">Suspiria</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Inherent Vice (2014) & Under the Silver Lake (2018)

The deeper into the 21st century we travel, the greater the confusion grows. With so much input - from news, tv, internet, social media, youtube, tik tok, and whatever new, even faster mode will arrive tomorrow - the possibility of an absolute truth seems farther and farther away. What's a detective to do when fact has become subjective and our individual realities grown so far apart? That's one of the questions grappled with in our final two movies, Inherent Vice and Under the Silver Lake, as we close out this season of the Private Detective.



Recommendations:

Tristan - The Red Shoes, Pathaan

Fred - A Serious Man, Suspiria

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Private Eye: Signal to Noise

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/2/8/2/7801cc37-4083-47d7-a8b7-f0731603d5c2_1.18_-_dad_cinema.mp3

With the new century, a certain strand of pulp films get taken along a similar development path as elements of super hero movies, another genre that got its start as cheap disposal nonsense. Just like with Nolan&#39;s Batman and Snyder&#39;s... Snyderverse, some noir started to lean in to the grim, the dark, and the gritty as a way to prove that they were serious movies and not just kids&#39; stuff. We&#39;ll be looking at two such examples - Ben Affleck&#39;s directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone, and the Liam Neeson actioner Walk Among the Tombstones. Throw some commercials in and you&#39;d have a pretty good Sunday afternoon double bill on TNT. Recommendations:Tristan - Jaane Bhi Do YaaroFred - Before Sunrise, Hit the Road, The TrainWritten &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Gone Baby Gone (2007) & Walk Among the Tombstones (2014)

With the new century, a certain strand of pulp films get taken along a similar development path as elements of super hero movies, another genre that got its start as cheap disposal nonsense. Just like with Nolan's Batman and Snyder's... Snyderverse, some noir started to lean in to the grim, the dark, and the gritty as a way to prove that they were serious movies and not just kids' stuff. We'll be looking at two such examples - Ben Affleck's directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone, and the Liam Neeson actioner Walk Among the Tombstones. Throw some commercials in and you'd have a pretty good Sunday afternoon double bill on TNT.



Recommendations:

Tristan - Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro

Fred - Before Sunrise, Hit the Road, The Train

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Private Eye: The Rise of Dad Cinema

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/2/1/2/7ce7c90d-d3ec-4c94-b3be-2d3968453d01_1.17_-_shane_black.mp3

For our first directorial double feature we look at the work of buddy-comedy auteur Shane Black and his two 21st-century revitalizations of the PI story. In Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Nice Guys he crafts two hyper-stylized and hyper-witty worlds of guns, girls, and guys who are in way over their heads. Oh, and did we mention its Christmas? Because of course it is. Recommendations:Tristan - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/glass-onion-a-knives-out-mystery/" rel="nofollow">Glass Onion</a>Fred - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/bones-and-all/" rel="nofollow">Bones and All</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) & The Nice Guys (2016)

For our first directorial double feature we look at the work of buddy-comedy auteur Shane Black and his two 21st-century revitalizations of the PI story. In Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Nice Guys he crafts two hyper-stylized and hyper-witty worlds of guns, girls, and guys who are in way over their heads. Oh, and did we mention its Christmas? Because of course it is.



Recommendations:

Tristan - Glass Onion

Fred - Bones and All

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Private Eye: Shane Black Comes Calling

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/1/21/3/b64c759a-c38b-4080-a691-a07d2d5f6754_01.16_-_the_kids_are_not.mp3

It&#39;s a new millenium, and a new generation of flatfoots are hitting the streets. Precocious and jaded, wise beyond their years but in over their heads, these kid detectives show no matter how far along we get from the original noir era, there will always be someone willing to stick their neck out and find the truth in a world of shades of gray. Recommendations:Tristan - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/trouble-in-paradise/" rel="nofollow">Trouble in Paradise</a>Fred - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/bicycle-thieves/" rel="nofollow">Bicycle Thieves</a>, <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/the-rules-of-the-game/" rel="nofollow">The Rules of the Game</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Brick (2005) & The Kid Detective (2020)

It's a new millenium, and a new generation of flatfoots are hitting the streets. Precocious and jaded, wise beyond their years but in over their heads, these kid detectives show no matter how far along we get from the original noir era, there will always be someone willing to stick their neck out and find the truth in a world of shades of gray.



Recommendations:

Tristan - Trouble in Paradise

Fred - Bicycle Thieves, The Rules of the Game

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Private Eye: The Kids Are Not Alright

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/1/15/19/39ff3496-eda2-4c0a-a1b7-070c602d59fd_1.15_-_the_slacker.mp3

As we near the end of the millenium, a new influence takes hold of noir - Sundance-era American indies. Comedy, absurdism and heightened worlds begin to intersect with tales of crime and desperation. Our two films tonight both came out in 1998, and both show that influence. Zero Effect updates Sherlock with a post-Tarantino vibe, while The Big Lebowski sees the Coens set their own inimitable, endlessly quotable course. Recommendations:Tristan - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/the-banshees-of-inisherin/" rel="nofollow">Banshees of Inisherin</a>Fred - Charlotte Wells: <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/laps/" rel="nofollow">Laps</a>, <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/blue-christmas-2017/" rel="nofollow">Blue Christmas</a>, &amp; <a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/aftersun/" rel="nofollow">Aftersun</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

Zero Effect (1998) & The Big Lebowski (1998)

As we near the end of the millenium, a new influence takes hold of noir - Sundance-era American indies. Comedy, absurdism and heightened worlds begin to intersect with tales of crime and desperation. Our two films tonight both came out in 1998, and both show that influence. Zero Effect updates Sherlock with a post-Tarantino vibe, while The Big Lebowski sees the Coens set their own inimitable, endlessly quotable course. 



Recommendations:

Tristan - Banshees of Inisherin

Fred - Charlotte Wells: Laps, Blue Christmas, & Aftersun

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Private Eye: The Slackers Take Over

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/1/9/15/3a6cb247-c91d-4bcc-8eb0-d8463879b7e3_1.14_-_retro_nineties.mp3

It&#39;s time for another round of retro-noirs as two 90s star-vehicles send us to the 1948-heyday of pulp cinema. First it&#39;s the return of Jack Nicholson and Jake Gittes in the Chinatown sequel The Two Jakes, and then Denzel Washington appears as Easy Rawlins in the 1995 adaptation Devil in a Blue Dress. Together these two films make a study in contrasts - with their stars, their stories, and their approach to the material - even as both try to pack us off in a celluloid time machine.Recommendations:Tristan - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/thearcher87/list/sight-sound-ballot-2022/" rel="nofollow">Mock Sight &amp; Sound Ballot</a>Fred - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/national2080/list/sight-sound-ballot/" rel="nofollow">Mock Sight &amp; Sound Ballot</a>Written &amp; Produced by Tristan Johnson &amp; <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com/" rel="nofollow">Fred Pelzer</a>A Strange Phantom ProductionMusic by <a href="https://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow">Kevin MacLeod</a>.<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com/" rel="nofollow">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/CelluloidDirt/" rel="nofollow">Letterboxd</a>

The Two Jakes (1990) & Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)

It's time for another round of retro-noirs as two 90s star-vehicles send us to the 1948-heyday of pulp cinema. First it's the return of Jack Nicholson and Jake Gittes in the Chinatown sequel The Two Jakes, and then Denzel Washington appears as Easy Rawlins in the 1995 adaptation Devil in a Blue Dress. Together these two films make a study in contrasts - with their stars, their stories, and their approach to the material - even as both try to pack us off in a celluloid time machine.

Recommendations:

Tristan - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/thearcher87/list/sight-sound-ballot-2022/">Mock Sight & Sound Ballot</a>

Fred - <a href="https://letterboxd.com/national2080/list/sight-sound-ballot/">Mock Sight & Sound Ballot</a>

Written & Produced by Tristan Johnson & <a href="http://www.fredpelzer.com">Fred Pelzer</a>

A <a href="http://www.strangephantom.com">Strange Phantom Production</a>

Music by <a href="https://www.incompetech.com">Kevin MacLeod</a>.

<a href="http://www.celluloiddirt.com">Learn more about us</a> or follow us on <a href="https://letterboxd.com/celluloiddirt">Letterboxd</a>

Private Eye: Retro Nineties

A Noir Appreciation Podcast

Celluloid Dirt is a weekly movie discussion show where two friends get together to watch new and familiar noir films, then talk about them. We alternate between seasons exploring specific conventions, themes and tropes of the genre over time - such as private eyes, femme fatales, or organized crime - and stand alone episodes. Hosted by Tristan Johnson & Fred Pelzer.