Film Noir in the Fifties: Out of the Past & Into the Future

The Last Seduction (1994)

Directed by John Dahl   Rated R

Linda Fiorentino plays evil with such relish that we may have to award her a prize for being the most fatal of femmes. Barbara Stanwyck and Jane Greer, you’ve met your match! And so will several fall guys whom she uses to get what she wants... After duping her husband, Bill Pullman, into pulling off a $700,000 drug deal, Fiorentino steals the money and disappears. Then Peter Berg makes the mistake of trying to pick her up in a small town bar. What’ll happen to the next guy?

It wasn't until the '60s that scholars and filmmakers began to regard Film Noir as a recognizable category. Looking back at the recurring themes and character types, a new genre was born and modern filmmakers began to create their own Neo Noirs. For this series, Professor Terry Meehan has selected one title from each decade and will provide his own special features in the form of rare clips and original documentaries. The audience is invited to stay after the show to discuss each director's unique approach and trace it all the way back to Sam Spade sitting alone in the dark.

This free event will be held in the Lakewood Public Library Main Auditorium at 15425 Detroit Avenue. No registration is needed.  Call (216) 226-8275 ext. 127 for more information.