Film Noir: 1941-1953

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the history of the noir movement, focusing on key films such as "The Maltese Falcon" and "Double Indemnity" and filmmakers of the time period of 1941-1953. The paper discusses what elements of a film classify it as having film noir characteristics. The paper also explores how the film noir movement evolved into an important genre for the time period. The paper takes a look at today's movies that have film noir elements and what has inspired these elements to reappear in such works as "L.A. Confidential", "Chinatown", "Payback" and "Bound".

Outline
Introduction
Definitions and Characteristics of Genre and Film Noir
Characteristics of Film Noir: Story, Characters and Setting
Historical Context
Neo Noir
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Genre is essentially a narrative framework and can be analyzed by breaking down this construct in terms of its fundamental structural components of: plot, character, setting, thematics and style. Each genre film has a buy-in with the audience, as the film must play by the rules of what the participants expect. As a result because society is constantly evolving so is the genre formula so its elements are identifiable and the audience feels a commitment to the film. Borde and Chaumeton explain, "categories are formed discursively, through a process of metaphoric association that creates networks of relationships" (xiv). It is because genre uses iconography or the "process of narrative and visual coding that results from the repetition of a popular film story" (Schatz 22) that genre becomes common within the human experience. In this way subconsciously the audience picks up on cues to communicate which genre such as Western, Slapstick or Gangster is being presented."

More papers on Film Noir: 1941-1953:

• Essay # 89430 : "Casablanca as Film Noir"
• Film Review # 121279 : "Film Noir in "Double Indemnity"
• Essay # 73405 : "Film Noir"

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