The Martha’s Vineyard Film Center is hosting a film noir and pre-Code cinema series curated by Paul Karasik and Matthew Turner. The series includes three film noir movies from the late 1940s: T-Men, Raw Deal, and He Walked By Night, as well as several pre-Code films: The Love Parade, Union Depot, Safe in Hell, Ladies of Leisure, and Applause. The films are known for their tough themes, adult content, and scandalous storylines.
The film noir movies were all photographed in black and white by cinematographer John Alton, who wrote a book titled Painting with Light. Despite being made on a low budget, these films are praised for their craftsmanship. T-Men stars Dennis O’Keefe as a treasury investigator, Raw Deal features female characters and passes the Bechdel test, and He Walked By Night stars Richard Basehart and may have influenced the TV series Dragnet.
The pre-Code films offer a glimpse into the scandalous and provocative era of Hollywood before the implementation of the Hays Code in 1934. Each film has its own unique storyline and showcases the talents of the actors and directors involved. The screenings start at 7:30 p.m. and are preceded by complimentary pinot noir and dark chocolate. Paul Karasik also created a pre-show trailer for the film center. The film series offers a unique communal experience of watching movies in a theater.
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