ASK EDDIE - October 19, 2023

FNF prez Eddie Muller responds to film noir fan questions fielded by the Foundation's Director of Communications Anne Hockens. In this episode, we discuss international noir, the best noir genre hybrids, why Eddie prefers a non-academic approach to writing about noir, and more. We wind up the show with our noir-stained horror movie recommendations for your Halloween viewing pleasure. On the cat front, Eddie’s answers a viewer’s questions about Tizzy’s travel habits.
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This week’s questions:
1. What's the deal with the short ties in mid-century movies? Some of them appear to be only 10-12 inches long.
—Jay and Connie, Ann Arbor
2. In my opinion, the countries with the strongest cinematic noir traditions are France, Japan, the U.K., and Mexico. Do you agree? I'd love to hear the two of you discuss each of those four noir traditions (plus others if you'd like).
—Kathleen from Chicago
3. Have you been to the Hollywood Museum on Highland Ave. in L.A.? 
—Alan, San Anselmo, CA
4. SUMMER OF DARKNESS introduced me to Eddie Muller. Eddie, how did you get involved with this? Did you have any connection to TCM prior to that Summer?
John Weber in Tampa
5. Can you tell me why NOTORIOUS is no longer shown on TCM? And the wonderful film noir, SLEEP MY LOVE, will that ever be shown?
—Jenene
6. What are your favorite noir-fusion genres and which films do you consider definitive examples of a noir Western, noir science fiction, etc.?
—Brett, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
7. STAIGHT TIME with Dustin Hoffman and Harry Dean Stanton-noirs often glamourize criminals and heists, but this seems very realistic. What’s Eddie’s take on the film and both these actors.
—Brian in Toronto
8. In Walter Mosley's EVERY MAN A KING, TCM gets a mention as do the following:
THE BRASHER DOUBLOON. Any thoughts on the Chandler book or the film?
A character is described as Sydney Greenstreet on steroids. If you were to name your Mount Rushmore of Sydney Greenstreet movies, which two would you add to the obvious choice?
Oliver mentions Steve McQueen's last movie, THE HUNTER. I would like to hear your opinions.
Joe from Suffolk County, NY
9. A few months ago, Eddie was traveling with Tizzy, which got me to thinking about the difficulties/practicalities ...Did Tizzy go on an airplane? Stay in a hotel room? (Hotel bar?)
Sue, San Francisco
10. How do you think it would go if James Ellroy and Hunter S. Thompson found themselves seated at a table in a small room together?
—Bill, Pleasant Hill, CA
11. Eddie doesn’t seem to care for in-depth academic studies of Film Noir and prefers a historical and production emphasis for such studies. If this is true, what is it about those aspects of an academic intellectual approach to Film Noir that rings hollow to you?
—Conrad