Art Lyons kicked the Palm Springs Film Noir Fest off with a bang.
Apparently an annual ritual involves a little Belgium short, “The Bloody Olive.” It begins festively enough, with a couple decorating for Christmas. Unfortunately the husband’s partner stops by for a little confrontation, and the doublecrossing killings that follow are monumental. The husband doublecrosses Sam who doublecrosses the wife who doublecrosses the husband who triplecrosses the wife who... Everyone keeps popping up from their bloody spot on the floor, as each anticipated the next setup. Good stuff.
What is great about a themed film fest over a new release fest is that there are no expectations, no search for the next big thing. Folks are there for the sheer joy of film, and in this case wanna see some two-timin’ dames and shady wiseguys.
Tonight’s feature was Paul Stanley’s Cry Tough. Taking Lyons to heart that noir is all about the story and dialogue, here’s a little taste of the good stuff:
* “What’s shakin’?” “Nothin’ shakin’ but the bacon and it’s taken.”
* “All the time ‘Keep off.’ What are you, Central Park?”
* “You got the message. No P.S.”
* “Go to hell.” “We’ll go together.”
* “What’s cookin’?” “Nothin’ cookin’ but the peas in the pot.”
* “How can you be so old time and so hip?”
* “You got a mouth like a spigot; open it and it rains.”
* “Nobody belongs more than those who kicked the door in.”
It was good Spanish Harlem noir (though only two of the actors are Hispanic). John Saxon's character reunites with his family after a little jail time, and immediately turns down the thugs that want him to get back into the swing of things. As this is a noir, we know that the good streak can’t last, a woman will stir things up and there won’t be a happy ending. Perfect.