Dark City
This week's film fest feature is the film noir classic, Dark City. It is your classic tale of deception, suspense, and romance. Oh, yes, this movie has it all. Beginning with your standard con job, Danny, our main character, spies a fellow at the bar next to him with a check for $5,000. Thinking quickly, he soon has the man headed to a private poker game where all the players are Danny's buddies. Before long, the audience will see the swindle unfolding until the poor unsuspecting fellow has lost everything. Here's where it gets tricky. The next day, Danny learns that the man he cheated has committed suicide. Racked with guilt, he and his pals are worried and waiting for the police to come knocking. The drama comes in when they find out that the check they stole belonged to the man's brother who is now seeking vengeance. When members of the poker game start dying, the action really picks up. 
What makes this film interesting, is the role Lizabeth Scott. She is the gorgeous lounge singer in love with Danny. Scott's character is really why we chose this film. Not only does she truly steal the screen in every scene with her expressions and dynamic appearance, but she brings something different to the typical noir film. Audiences are used to seeing the woman, hopelessly in love with the bad boy who will never settle down. They are used to seeing her become bitter, leaving the man, or settling for a half life as his side-arm. Worse, films often show the female character becoming like the bad boy just to keep him. Scott's character is different. She shows us another side of love and the strength of what a woman can do. I'd say more, but then I'd be giving it away in the end. 
Besides being beautifully shot, this is a great story and a good way to spend your Monday evening. I hope that you will join us for this week's film. A few more bits of fun trivia about Dark City...(just because) This film was Charlton Heston's (playing the role of Danny) movie debut. At the young age of 27 when he shot this, Heston was noted solely for his presence and beauty. Critics at the time remarked that he may well become as famous as Alan Ladd, whose career he soon surpassed, after this performance.
In Dark City, the world first sees the detective duo of Harry Morgan and Jack Webb before they were paired up as partners in TV's famous Dragnet series as Joe Friday and Bill Gannon.
Join us for Monday, July 27th, at 7 p.m. in the Science Building. See you all there.
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