Jason goes to Noir City Christmas

Still finishing up last year. After a one day break after Holehead, we got a special night at the Castro with the introduction of 2015's Noir City schedule (hopefully I'm caught up by the time it starts tomorrow!)

As much fun as it was, the films were surprisingly not very noir-ish.

First up was O. HENRY'S FULL HOUSE (1952,) an anthology film of O. Henry stories strangely introduced by John Steinbeck. The funny "The Cop and the Anthem." The heartbreakingly poignant "The Last Leaf." The hilarious "The Ransom of Red Chief" (directed by Howard Hawks.) And, of course, "The Gift of the Magi." Which despite being O. Henry's most famous and supposedly most romantic story, I still think is a story of poor communication in relationships.

And then we followed that up with CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE (1944.) Allegedly a sequel to CAT PEOPLE (1942) but not really, it's a story of the imagination of lonely children, and how adults try to stomp it down (undoubtedly a personal story from producer Val Lewton.) Littly Amy has an imaginary friend--her dad's deceased ex-wife Irena (the connection to CAT PEOPLE.) She also has a strange real friend--an old recluse and her daughter. Amy's parents are naturally concerned, and try to get her to stop. But forcing her too hard they might lose her completely. Not really noir, and not really horror, but a really good movie.

Total Running Time: 187 minutes
My Total Minutes; 377,555