February 11, 2009 Tina

 

In film noir there are three roles that women play: Also known as Noir Women.

 

The Femme Fatale

This Noir women resorts to murder to free herself from a controlling man. 

“Women are represented as prizes, desirable objects” Sylvia Harvey-The women of film noir.

• Lana Turner in the Postman always Rings Twice

The Good Women 

These women are shown as good and normal women. She is the traditional house wife. which is a role that is out of place in the film noir genre. The “NORMAL FAMILY VALUES” contrasts against the world of film noir. 

The Marrying Type

In the late 1940′s another distinct character appeared in film noir. This woman was there to domestic the hero which is suffocating for the hero and encourages him to rebel against his responsibilities. But the whole perfect family life that she is so desperately wanting to be normal is not normal in film noir. 

Films that involve these types. 

Femme Fatale: 

• I wake up screaming (1941)
• Out of the past (1947)
• The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
• Gilda (1946)
• The lady of Shanghai (1947)
• Murder My Sweet (1944)
• Laura (1944)

The Good Women: 

• The Maltese Falcon (1941)

The Marrying Type: 

• Pitfall (1948)
• D.O.A (1950)
• The Big Heart (1953)
• Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
• Touch of Evil (1958)

Source: www.filmnoirstudies.com

French Film Noirs: 

• Pepe le Moko (1937) directed by Jules Duvivier
• Le Jour se leve (1939) directed by Marcel Carne 

Classic-era film noirs 

1940-49- The Maltese Falcon, Shadow of a doubt, Laura, Double Indemnity, Mildred Pierce, Detour, The Big Sleep, The Killers, 

 

 

 

Entry Filed under: media studies

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