ASK EDDIE - February 13, 2025

FNF prez Eddie Muller responds to film noir fan questions fielded by the Foundation's Director of Communications Anne Hockens. In this edition, we discuss David Lynch, Joan Fontaine, if the designation noir requires an unhappy ending, Norma Barzman, “The Locket”, some noir or not opinions, and more. On the cat front, Tyrian causes problems and Eddie talks about Tizzy’s trip to NOIR CITY Oakland. Timestamps and questions below: 00:00 Haircuts, cats, NOIR CITY Oakland recap 07:18 Q1: David Lynch’s influence and neo-noir legacy 22:16 Q2: Will Eddie Muller ever do a presentation in NYC? 25:14 Q3: Joan Fontaine – any interviews or stories? 30:29 Q4: "Touch of Evil" preferred aspect ratio 36:55 Q5: Most depressing noir endings + can noir have a happy ending? 52:04 Q6: The Locket – why did Norman Clyde jump out the window? 55:02 Q7: Norma Barzman’s contribution to "The Locket" 58:02 Q8: What films do you consider noir that others dispute (and vice versa)? 1:01:52 Q9: Are "Oppenheimer", "Killers of the Flower Moon", etc., film noir? 1:12:15 Q10: Fantasy noir getaway – which film would you inhabit? 1:13:43 "Storm Fear", Dan Duryea, "Nightfall", "On Dangerous Ground" et al. 1:17:18 Broadcast scheduling and signoff This week’s questions: 1. Cinema lost one of its truly unique and visionary artists in David Lynch. I wonder what your thoughts are on David Lynch’s art and filmography, especially his presence and achievements in neo-noir. —Keith 2. Is there a possibility that you would ever come to New York City for one of your presentations? —David 3. Joan Fontaine is my favourite actress. My question to Eddie is, have you ever interviewed or tried to interview Joan Fontaine while she was alive? If the answer is yes, would you care to share any story? —Tiger, Granada, Spain. 4. Several years ago “Touch of Evil” was released in a special edition Blu-ray package in both 1.85:1 and 1.37:1 aspect ratios. Do you prefer one aspect ratio compared to the other for this particular film? Do any considerations of how the image is presented with the lighting and the framing composition of what to leave in and what to leave out affect your tastes? —Conrad 5. What noir films have the most depressing endings? If you could discuss noirs from the classic period as well as noirs that came later, that would be great. Bonus question: can a film have a "happy" ending--an ending where things turn out well for the sympathetic characters and badly for the villains--and still be a genuine noir? —Kathleen from Chicago 6. The actor - Robert Mitchum. The film – “The Locket”. The nagging enigma - why the hell did Norman Clyde jump out of the skyscraper window? —Bill, Pleasant Hill, CA 7. Norma Barzman, a blacklisted screenwriter, died on December 17, 2023 at 103. Before being blacklisted, Ms. Barzman wrote the treatment for The Locket. Please share some thoughts on Ms. Barzman and The Locket. —Joe from Suffolk County NY 8. Which films do you think are Noir that you get the most pushback from others that say they are not? And the reverse. —John, Tampa 9. Do you think “Oppenheimer” is film noir? I do. Has most all the elements. “Killers of the Flower Moon” too? Isn't that noir? And “The Triplets of Bellevue”? Do you think “The Rocking Horse Winner” qualifies? Arlene 10. Suppose, just suppose you're planning a four-day, three night winter cabin noir getaway. Which film noir would you choose to inhabit? —Joe from Suffolk County, NY Want your question answered in a future episode? We solicit questions from our email subscribers in our monthly newsletters. Sign up for free at https://www.filmnoirfoundation.org/si... Everyone who signs up on our email list and contributes $20 or more to the Film Noir Foundation receives the digital version of NOIR CITY Magazine for a year. Donate here: https://www.filmnoirfoundation.org/co...