Day 19 of Noirvember: My Top 25 Noirs
Thanks to a recent comment from fellow blogger Carol over at The Old Hollywood Garden, I was reminded of a list I wrote last year that consisted of my top 25 classic movies. It includes all types of films, from Gaslight to It’s a Wonderful Life to All About Eve — and six noirs! But I’ve never done such a list strictly for film noir. Top 10, yes. Top 25, no.
So, for today’s Noirvember entry, I decided to offer up my 25 favorite films noirs. It was harder than I expected to narrow down the list — but so much fun! Here goes . . .
Ace in the Hole
The Asphalt Jungle
The Big Combo
The Big Heat
The Damned Don’t Cry: What’s a top 25 list (or any list, really) without Joan Crawford???
Born to Kill
Criss Cross
The Damned Don’t Cry
Detour
Double indemnity
Gilda
Gun Crazy
The Killing
Laura
Leave Her to Heaven
Mildred Pierce
New York Confidential
Nora Prentiss
You just knew Out of the Past would be on here, didn’t ya?
Out of the Past
The Postman Always Rings Twice
Shield for Murder
Sudden Fear
Sunset Boulevard
They Live By Night
Too Late for Tears
Did I include any of your favorites? What are your top 25? Share them here!
And join me tomorrow for Day 20 of Noirvember!
shadowsandsatin 
Great list!!!
Dmitri Matheny Jazz flugelhornist, composer, educator, recording artist
Email: dmitri@dmitrimatheny.com Skype: dmitri.matheny
Thanks so much, Dmitri!
Scarlet Street is a definite one for me!
Big Combo, Born to Kill, and Out of the Past are three faves for me.
I also love Key Largo and The Big Sleep. Also some British Noir is incredibly good, such as Turn the Key Softly. Cheers!
I always find other people’s film lists fascinating. Some great films on your list ‘Laura’ is a particular favourite of mine, likewise ‘Detour’ as to films you haven’t mentioned I am a huge fan of ‘The Big Sleep’ and ‘The Maltese Falcon’. A favourite film of mine which often makes such lists is ‘The Third Man’ and I think Jean-Pierre Melville made some wonderful films which stray into Noir territory. There are one or two films on your list which I haven’t seen and will have to seek out.
I share your fondness for the film lists of others — it’s so interesting to see the films you have in common, the ones that you’ve never seen, and those that leave you scratching your head! I like The Third Man, too — in fact, like Citizen Kane, I appreciate it more each time I see it. Thanks so much for your comment!
Hollow triumph aka The Scar, On Dangerous Ground, Conflict, In A Lonely Place, Lady From Shanghai, Touch Of Evil, I Wake Up Screaming, Where The Sidewalk Ends, My Name Is Julia Ross, Alias Nick Beal, Sound Of Fury aka Try And Get Me, Ride The Pink Horse, Crashout, Armored Car Robbery, Cornered, Kansas City Confidential, 99, River Street, Thieves’ Highway, The Breaking Point, DOA, No Man Of Her Own, Lightning Strikes Twice, Dark City, Johnny Angel, Red Light, Hangover Square. Well, I don’t know if these are my 25 favorite noirs, but I wanted to mention some other fine noirs than the ones you mentioned (of course I like a them a lot too, even though I still haven’t watched Shield For Murder) just to show what a wealth of great movies were produced in the noir era. And then I haven’t even mentioned any of Anthony Mann’s films.
And I even forgot to mention The Chase and The Red House. Oh, well.
All great titles. My favorites would include KISS ME DEADLY, ARMORED CAR ROBBERY, DARK CITY, CALL NORTHSIDE 777, ON DANGEROUS GROUND,IMPACT,CROSS FIRE,PHANTOM LADY, 99 RIVER STREET,ROADHOUSE.
Wow, I feel honoured 🙂
I don’t think I could come up with a top 25, since I can hardly come up with a top 4 haha I’ll think about this one!