Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir
Of several recent books on film noir, this one is the least academic. Muller is clearly a fan and relishes the opportunity to hang out with a few of his favorite lost souls from what he calls Dark City. The book is organized around the city motif, with chapters devoted to various thematic neighborhoods, for example, "The Precinct" (cop flicks) and "Vixenville" (femme fatales). This metaphor seems a bit labored at times, and Muller's plot summaries tend to run on, but otherwise film noir fans will have plenty to enjoy here. The illustrations, mostly stills, are first rate, and the mix of biographical, historical, and critical material works well. Background on such vintage noir actors as Robert Ryan, Richard Widmark, and, of course, Robert Mitchum is usually fresh and pertinent, and the insider gossip about life in the studios adds some zip. Nicholas Christopher'sSomewhere in the Nightremains the best critical study, but this more-browsable volume provides an entertaining all-around introduction to the genre.Bill Ott