Unmasking the Shadows: The History of Film Noir

My interest in Noir started when I was about 16 or 17 years old and first walked into the adult mystery section of my local library. I believe I walked out with at least 10 books that day, with Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and James M. Cain numbering among the authors on my check-out slip. I went home that night and found an “Introduction to Film Noir” list, watched the “staples” of the genre, and thus my niche interest was born.

Noir film is a genre that emerged in the early 1940s, peaked in the post-World War II era, and has left a lasting mark on the world of cinema. With its dark, moody atmospheres, morally ambiguous characters, and intricate plots, noir films continue to captivate audiences to this day.

To truly understand noir film, it is recommended to first start with the genre’s literary roots. The term “noir” itself, derived from the French word for “black”, was coined by French film critics Nino Frank and Jean-Pierre Chartier in 1946. However, its origins can be traced back to the hard-boiled detective fiction popularized by writers like Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett in the 1920s and 1930s. These stories featured gritty, urban settings, flawed protagonists, and a pervasive sense of moral ambiguity - elements that would later define noir film.

Noir film found its cinematic expression in the early 1940s, heavily influenced by German Expressionism and the influx of European filmmakers who fled to Hollywood during World War II. Movies like The Maltese Falcon (1941), Double Indemnity (1944), and The Big Sleep (1946) showcase the signature noir elements: cynical heroes, stark lighting effects, frequent use of flashbacks, intricate plots, and an underlying existentialist philosophy. These films often explore themes of crime, betrayal, and doomed love affairs, providing the audience with a strong reflection of the post-war disillusionment that gripped society.

The post-war era marked the Golden Age of noir film, with a flurry of masterpieces released in the late 1940s and 1950s. Directors like Billy Wilder, Alfred Hitchcock, and Orson Welles pushed the boundaries of the genre, infusing their films with psychological depth and visual ingenuity. Sunset Boulevard (1950), The Third Man (1949), and Touch of Evil (1958) are just a few examples of the diverse range of narratives and styles that emerged during this period.

The history of film noir is a tale that shines a light on the darker aspects of society and human nature. Emerging from the shadows of post-war disillusionment, this genre has left an everlasting mark on the world of cinema, and inspires contemporary filmmakers to this day. I only scratched the surface on what film noir truly is - it is more than just black and white flicks you can catch on TCM, it is self-expression in finding beauty in a world that can be quite dark and bleak at times. Coming from a “seasoned” noir film buff (at least I like to think so) I highly recommend starting with some of the films I have listed, all of which are available through MCLS!

- by Em D., Lawrence Branch