Los Angeles: City of Film Noir (documentary)

I'm from New York, and I love Film Noir's set here, but I so prefer when they're set in LA, particularly highlighting the old Bunker Hill. The eccentricity of 1940's-'50's LA was perfect for the genre. It's amazing how a place known for sunshine and palm trees was turned into a dark, gritty, rainy place. It was done so well by these great Germanic expressionistic directors. I adore these movies and feel the '44 through '50 era is the best, the '51-'55 next best, and then modernity began to seriously water them down. I can't get into them in color. Noir means "black". Shades of black is Film Noir!

I hear that trumpet playing and get the urge to watch "Chinatown" again.

I had the very good fortune to meet James at a book-signing event in the 1990s. He signed my copies of "The Big Nowhere" and "American Tabloid". He was very polite and good humoured. A great, great writer and a true gentleman.

This was great! I could listen to Ellroy all day. My favorite author.

This is an absolutely superb documentary! Beautifully done.

The L.A. Confidential Soundtrack is fantastic. Just like the film and the book. That rare trifecta doesn't come along too often.

Outstanding documentary, captures the dark L.A. mystic that drew a lot of us hopeless romantics here to immerse in the drama around every corner. You can still experience one activity from that period where the only thing modern is people's clothing and the automobiles in the parking lot...…..Santa Anita race track. Thanks for the list of must see movies.

Grew up in Lincoln Heights and I watch these style of movies and I feel right at home.

Noir films recommended by James Ellroy and Eddie Muller: CLASSICS Double Indemnity D.O.A. Impact Laura The Big Combo This Gun for Hire The Postman Always Rings Twice The Big Heat The Maltese Falcon Sunset Boulevard Criss Cross Out of the Past Angel Face Leave Her to Heaven Crime Wave He Walked By Night Act of Violence On Dangerous Ground Odds Against Tomorrow Crossfire Gilda MODERN NOIR Chinatown L.A. Confidential Mullholland Drive

a little Ellroy goes a long way...

The Bradbury building also features heavily in the tech noir of Bladerunner.

A great documentary about a great time in cinema! It showed how human nature isn’t always good guys vs bad guys, but instead amoral, grey characters that showed the cynicism of life, men as well as women.

Best film noir cities New York city, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Really enjoying this....thanks so much for posting.

This was just fantastic. Thank you so much. James Ellroy is an American original.

Damn, listening to Ellroy narrate is a cannabis high.

Thank you for posting ❤😊 Could watch this over again a few times, and will!

Ellroy's always a hoot!

Yeah great documentary and Ellroy is a great writer

Omg I love you for posting this!