Watch FILM NOIR STYLE: THE WAR YEARS on Vimeo!

Last weekend an enthusiastic audience joined me to celebrate Film Noir Style: The War Years! This was the second event in the four-part series, which mirrors my upcoming book Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s. This webinar examined the impact of World War II on the home front and fashion along with the backstories and ongoing influence of six essential film noir from 1942 to 1945:

This Gun for Hire (1942)

Double Indemnity (1944)

Laura (1944)

To Have and Have Not (1944)

Murder, My Sweet (1945)

Mildred Pierce (1945)

In case you missed the event live, the recording is now available on demand on Vimeo. You can either watch it through the link or in the embedded player below. The next event in the Film Noir Style series - The Transition Year 1946 - will take place Sunday, January 21, 2021 and you can register on Zoom. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a happy holiday season!

Polka dots - especially black polka dots on white -are a big part of film noir style, including on The War Years' Mildred Pierce

For this event,

I paired a modern dress with 1940s design details with red suede pumps

You're Invited! Online FILM NOIR STYLE Series Continues 11/15 with THE WAR YEARS

On Sunday, November 15, my online series Film Noir Style continues with The War Years. This is the second in a series that accompanies my book Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s. Like the book, the series is divided into four parts:

Before the War 1940-1941

The War Years 1942-1945

The Year of Transition 1946

The Post-War Years 1947-1950

In the #Noirvember webinar The War Years, I will present the impact of World War II on the home front and fashion along with the impact of six film noir from this period – This Gun for Hire (1942); Double Indemnity (1944); Laura (1944); To Have and Have Not (1944); Murder, My Sweet (1944); and Mildred Pierce (1945).

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Sunday, November 15

Film Noir Style: The War Years 1942-1945

Online via Zoom webinar

4 pm - 5:30 pm PT (7 pm - 8:30 pm ET)

Tickets $10 - register on Zoom

 
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About the book...

In 1941, Hollywood turned down a dark alley and began to explore stories of vice, corruption, and murder. Pictures featured tough leading men and mysterious women who were often very good at being bad. While navigating the impact of the Production Code and World War II, studio costume designers defined the style of the decade's crime thrillers and murder dramas, which would collectively become known as film noir. They transformed Hollywood's leading ladies into intrigantes and femme fatales - women who would do anything to get what they want.
 
The actors in film noir, led by Humphrey Bogart, set style standards for America in the way they wore suits, fedoras, and trench coats. And oh, the women - whether good or bad, they captured the imagination of the country and immediately began influencing fashion. Film noir made stars of young actresses like Lauren Bacall, Ava Gardner, Gene Tierney, and Marilyn Monroe and magnified the careers of Rita Hayworth, Barbara Stanwyck, Jane Greer, and Gloria Swanson. In all cases, costume design proved vital to their success. Historian Kimberly Truhler explores twenty definitive film noir titles and traces the intersection of film noir and popular fashion through the decade and beyond.

The launch of the hardback book has been delayed until January 2021, but the e-book is available now. For those who can't wait to read the book or want both versions, you can purchase the Kindle version on Amazon.

Some of the 20 films that are featured in Film Noir Style -

both the book and accompanying online series

Watch FILM NOIR STYLE: BEFORE THE WAR on Vimeo!

Thanks to all who came to last night's event Film Noir Style: Before the War 1940-1941! A great time was had by all! It was wonderful to step into my beloved world of film noir and celebrate its influential style. 

In case you missed the event live, the video is now available on demand on Vimeo. You can view it through the link or in the embedded player below.

One of the style stories in the first event of my 4-part series was sheer. In tribute to Gene Tierney in The Shanghai Gesture (1941) and Betty Grable in I Wake Up Screaming (1941), I wore my own modern take on the illusion dress. I then paired it with black patent pumps and vintage onyx drop earrings.

The next event in the Film Noir Style series is November 15 with The War Years 1942-1945. Tickets are $10 - you can register on Zoom. See you then!

Watch the National Arts Club FILM NOIR STYLE Event on YouTube!

 

Thanks to all who joined me for my Film Noir Style book preview event with the National Arts Club! More than 1,200 people attended live on Tuesday, which was very exciting, and I continue to receive such lovely feedback. Thanks, too, to NAC's Angela Lui and Mitch Case who were the most supportive hosts. 

Though pre-orders are still being taken for the hardback (to be delivered December/January), the Film Noir Style e-book is available now through Amazon.

In case you missed it, the event is available on the YouTube channel for the National Arts Club! You can also watch it through the embedded player below.

As you will see, there was a lot of interest in my own style during the event, including what I was wearing. Here's a much better look at my ensemble than Zoom would allow. Many know I love wearing vintage, but I also often pick modern pieces that show the influence of film. That was the reason for choosing this red Donna Morgan keyhole dress that I then paired with leopard pumps from Sam Edelman.

If you enjoyed this sneak preview of the book, I hope you'll join me for the first in my 4-part Film Noir Style series on October 18!

Film Noir Style: Before the War 1940-1941

Sunday, October 18

4:00 - 5:30 pm PT (7:00 - 8:30 pm ET)

Tickets $10 - register on Zoom

You're Invited! 4-Part Online Series FILM NOIR STYLE Starts 10/18 with BEFORE THE WAR

I'm so excited to start my new online series Film Noir Style! This 4-part series accompanies and mirrors my non-fiction book Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s. Like the book, the series will be divided into 4 parts:

Before the War 1940-1941

The War Years 1942-1945

The Year of Transition 1946

The Post-War Years 1947-1950

In the first webinar Before the War 1940-1941, I will present and discuss the historical context, the cinematic influences that contributed to the style of the film noir genre, and the style and impact of three movies from this period – The Maltese Falcon, I Wake Up Screaming, and The Shanghai Gesture (all 1941).

Sunday, October 18, 2020

Film Noir Style: Before the War 1940-1941

Online via Zoom webinar

4 pm - 5:30 pm PT (7 pm - 8:30 pm ET)

Tickets $10 - register on Zoom

 

About the book...

In 1941, Hollywood turned down a dark alley and began to explore stories of vice, corruption, and murder. Pictures featured tough leading men and mysterious women who were often very good at being bad. While navigating the impact of the Production Code and World War II, studio costume designers defined the style of the decade's crime thrillers and murder dramas, which would collectively become known as film noir. They transformed Hollywood's leading ladies into intrigantes and femme fatales - women who would do anything to get what they want.
 
The actors in film noir, led by Humphrey Bogart, set style standards for America in the way they wore suits, fedoras, and trench coats. And oh, the women - whether good or bad, they captured the imagination of the country and immediately began influencing fashion. Film noir made stars of young actresses like Lauren Bacall, Ava Gardner, Gene Tierney, and Marilyn Monroe and magnified the careers of Rita Hayworth, Barbara Stanwyck, Jane Greer, and Gloria Swanson. In all cases, costume design proved vital to their success. Historian Kimberly Truhler explores twenty definitive film noir titles and traces the intersection of film noir and popular fashion through the decade and beyond.

The launch of the hardback book has been delayed until January 2021, but the e-book is available now. For those who can't wait to read the book or want both versions, you can purchase the Kindle version on Amazon.

Some of the 20 films that are featured in Film Noir Style -

both in the book and accompanying online series

You're Invited! National Arts Club Hosts Book Preview Event for FILM NOIR STYLE 9/29

This past weekend I received the unfortunate news that the launch of my book Film Noir Style - originally scheduled for September 29 - will be delayed until January due to COVID's vast impact on the publishing industry. I am far from the only author who is experiencing a delay. There has been extensive coverage of the number of problems that have emerged in publishing since the pandemic began in March. Most recently The New York Times outlined some of the challenges with printers alone. Publishers Weekly even created and now maintains an "Impact Listing" of cancelations, closures, policy changes, and more. Even though this might be the new normal, learning about the later launch date of my book was still tremendously disappointing.

However, even with this delay, the National Arts Club - a cultural institution with over 120 years of history - has offered me the opportunity to preview my book in an online event. I will be presenting a complete overview of Film Noir Style and also share some of impact of the iconic costumes on fashion. The event is free for everyone - you just need to register through Eventbrite and they will send you the link to Zoom.

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Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Book Preview Event for Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s

National Arts Club

Online via Zoom webinar

4 pm - 5:30 pm PT (7 pm - 8:30 pm ET)

Tickets are free - register on Eventbrite for Zoom event

About the book...

In 1941, Hollywood turned down a dark alley and began to explore stories of vice, corruption, and murder. Pictures featured tough leading men and mysterious women who were often very good at being bad. While navigating the impact of the Production Code and World War II, studio costume designers defined the style of the decade's crime thrillers and murder dramas, which would collectively become known as film noir. They transformed Hollywood's leading ladies into intrigantes and femme fatales - women who would do anything to get what they want.
 
The actors in film noir, led by Humphrey Bogart, set style standards for America in the way they wore suits, fedoras, and trench coats. And oh, the women - whether good or bad, they captured the imagination of the country and immediately began influencing fashion. Film noir made stars of young actresses like Lauren Bacall, Ava Gardner, Gene Tierney, and Marilyn Monroe and magnified the careers of Rita Hayworth, Barbara Stanwyck, Jane Greer, and Gloria Swanson. In all cases, costume design proved vital to their success. Historian Kimberly Truhler explores twenty definitive film noir titles and traces the intersection of film noir and popular fashion through the decade and beyond.

You're Invited! Online Pre-Code STYLE OF SIN Series Continues 9/20 with Jean Harlow

UPDATE: The recording is now available on demand - click to view on Vimeo or watch in embedded player above.

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September is here and the next month or so is going to be filled with events! It all starts September 20 with the next in my online Pre-Code series THE STYLE OF SIN. The third event in the 6-part series focuses on the early life and style of Jean Harlow with stories behind the style of films like Three Wise Girls (1932), Red-Headed Woman (1932), and Dinner at Eight (1933). Join me for a little more illicit fun!

THE STYLE OF SIN: Jean Harlow
Pre-Code Film with Kimberly Truhler

Sunday, September 20

Starting at 4 pm PT/7 pm ET

Tickets are $10 - click to register on Zoom

The Pre-Code era of Hollywood refers to the years between 1930 when the Production Code was adopted and 1934 when it was in full effect. The Code prohibited seeing many sins on screen, so Pre-Code films are beloved for how risqué and provocative they could be with their look and content.

Join me for this 6-part series that introduces you to some of the most popular actresses of the Pre-Code era - Joan Crawford, Kay Francis, Jean Harlow, Barbara Stanwyck, Carole Lombard, and Joan Blondell.

Though costume design is important in film, it is particularly significant to the plot and production of the movies selected for this series. In each talk, you will also learn about the costume designers themselves - how they contributed to the style of the studios along with the evolution of the actresses' careers and personal style.

You can view past online events on demand on Vimeo. 

Upcoming events:

FILM NOIR STYLE

Book Launch Event with the National Arts Club

Tuesday, September 29 at 4 pm PT

Tickets are free - register for Zoom event on Eventbrite

FILM NOIR STYLE: Before the War 1940-1941

First of 4-part series in coordination with my book

Sunday, October 18 at 4 pm PT

Tickets $10 - register on Zoom

More information can be found on the GlamAmor Events page