Film noir is one of the best known film genres. Its dark quality is reflected in the story and the shadowy look of the film.
Some of the best known noir films include “The Maltese Falcon,” “Double Indemnity” and “A Touch of Evil.”
"Noir is both the story and the cinematography... very dark," One of the presenters at the event and a contributing editor to KNPR's State of Nevada Bob Stoldal said, "No heroes or heroines."
During the month of July, a few lesser-known noir films – but with a Nevada connection - will be shown in Las Vegas at downtown’s Mob Museum.
Organizers of the series looked for films that were either filmed in Nevada, featured a story line related to Nevada, was related to organized crime or gambling.
They also looked for films that were connected to Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver's hearings into organized crime.
Stoldal said the films will actually be presented in room that held one of Kefauver's famous hearings in the former courthouse that now houses the Mob Museum.
The senator is actually featured in "The Captive City," which is one of the films in the series.
The films in the series were not always received with support by Las Vegas officials. According to Stoldal, the film "711 Ocean Drive" ran into trouble with the chamber of commerce.
The chamber tried to change aspects of the script, but the filmmakers refused. The whole debate went before Congress where the director testified that he had been "visited by thugs" from the chamber, trying to stop the production.
The film was eventually released and the publicity surrounding the incident certainly did not hurt it.
Click Here for the full list of films, dates and times.
Bob Stoldal, contributing editor, KNPR News
