This year’s theme, after a very close vote, is Noir on the Boulevard with each month spotlighting a different classic of the Film Noir tradition, one of my favorite genres.
This past Sunday I stopped by to enjoy a noir I had never seen, I Wake up Screaming, starring Victor Mature, Betty Grable, and Carole 
Landis. In addition to the feature presentation, the showing included a short introduction by Victoria Mature, daughter of the film’s lead.
After a spot of luck finding a parking spot just one block away, I entered the theater and discovered that the showing had sold out two weeks earlier. This prompted conflicting emotions. On one hand I wanted to see the movie and this was a personal disappointment, but on the other hand what coolness that the showing were generating greater interest and selling out. Luckily not all pass-holders, who account for about half the audience, showed up and all of us on the stand-by list were able to buy tickets and get in. I lucked out and I learned my lesson; buy in advance.
Victoria Mature was charming, she treated us to video clips and stories presenting sort of in-person bonus material. She also sang for us and her voice was lovely and powerful, filling the auditorium with her rich tones.
I Wake Up Screaming will not become one of my favorite noirs but it I am very glad I had a chance to see it with a live audience. The final resolution of the murder/mystery tracked about 50% with what I expected, and that was a good thing. Mysteries suffer from two common failure modes; so predictable as to be boring or so out of left field as to be utterly preposterous. (Really Agatha? How did everyone fit into such a tiny space?) This one threaded the needle presenting a solution that followed from the characters and yet was not telegraphed miles and miles away.
Next month they will be showing This Gun for Hire another I have not seen save for tiny clips appearing in LA Confidential.
