Turner Classic Movies host Eddie Muller launched the inaugural New York City edition of his "Noir City" film festival on Friday night, transforming Netflix's Paris Theater into a 1940s-themed destination.
Attendees embraced the era, arriving in full period attire for the festival's opening, which featured a double feature of black-and-white films. Among the guests were former Focus Features CEO James Schamus, actress Amy Robinson, author T.J. English, and Netflix's John Vanco.
The festival's theme, "Face The Music," was introduced with the screening of Anatole Litvak's 1941 film "Blues in the Night." Muller described the movie, which chronicles a jazz band's trajectory with experimental montages by Don Siegel, as "one of the weirdest movies I’ve ever shown."
Don Siegel, a master of montage, was noted for his work on the opening sequence of "Casablanca" and later directed five features with Clint Eastwood, including "Dirty Harry." Litvak, an often overlooked European immigrant filmmaker in Hollywood, was praised by Muller as a "masterful filmmaker."
During an intermission, Elizabeth Bougerol, co-host of the festival, performed with her jazz ensemble. The sold-out crowd then viewed the 1946 film "Black Angel." Muller shared behind-the-scenes scandals related to the film's stars, prompting a remark from Bougerol about maintaining discretion.
The "Noir City" festival is scheduled to run through July 19, showcasing a total of 32 films.
