Synopses & Reviews
Film noir is all about style, even as much as it is about crime. The poster art from the noir era has a bold look and an iconography all its own. A sizzling marriage of sex and violence-the sinuous figures of femme fatales alongside the granite features of the era's tough-guy stars-made this artwork dynamic and dangerous. During the golden age of noir, studios commissioned these arresting illustrations for even the lowliest B-thriller. The Art of Noir is the first book to present this striking artwork in a lavishly produced, large-format, full-color volume.
The more than 250 dazzling posters, lobby cards, and other promotional material range from the classics Out of the Past, Touch of Evil, and The Big Sleep, to rare archive films such as The Devil Thumbs a Ride and Blonde Kiss. Noir expert Eddie Muller provides background information for the illustrators, most of whom have never received credit for their work. With rare offerings from France, Italy, Spain, Britain, and Russia, as well as the knockout graphics of Hollywood, The Art of Noir is the ultimate companion for movie buffs, collectors, as well as artists and designers.
Review
"Eddie Muller seriously takes films not too seriouslyjust the right mix, and with great results." Paul Schraeder
Review
"The variety, style and color here, representing films familiar (The Postman Always Rings Twice) and forgotten (The Big Tip Off, starring Cathy Downs), will be enticing to any fan of noir or mid-century American history." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Fans of the gritty '40s and '50s flicks...will roll in the 10-by-14-inch volume like cats in 'nip." Booklist
About the Author
Eddie Muller, "The Czar of Noir," is the founder and president of the Film Noir Foundation, and provides commentary for noir films and specials on Turner Classic Movies. He created his own graphics firm, St. Francis Studio, and is the author of Grindhouse, Dark City Dames, and Dark City. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.