You're Invited! FILM NOIR STYLE Continues with "Year of Transition 1946" and THE KILLERS

 

On Saturday, July 29, my 4-part Film Noir Style series continues at the Aero Theatre with The Year of Transition 1946. After my presentation, we will screen The Killers (1946) starring the sensual Ava Gardner and featuring costumes by Vera West.

 

Saturday, July 29

The Year of Transition 1946 and The Killers (1946)

2 pm presentation and screening

Book signing Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s

Aero Theatre

Santa Monica, CA

Click here to purchase tickets

In the third event of the Film Noir Style series, I will present and discuss the impact of the end of World War II on the home front along with the backstories and iconic style of five film noir from 1946 - The Killers, Gilda, The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Big Sleep, and Notorious.

You can see photos from the first two events in the series Before the War and The War Years on the site.

See you soon!

FILM NOIR STYLE Starts a Summer of Noir at the American Cinematheque

 

Thanks to everyone who came to the first event for my Film Noir Style series at the American Cinematheque! Packed house, people raved about my talk, and lots of books signed and sold for the Larry Edmunds Bookshop. And I made it on the marquee! Wow. 

The second event of the series - The War Years with a screening of Laura (1944) - will be June 25. Click the link to learn more about the entire Film Noir Series, including dates and the films that will be discussed.

Because the first event in my Film Noir Style series focused on "Before the War 1940-1941," I chose a two-tone pale blue 1970s dress that reflected a lot of early 1940s style and some of the influence of costume designer Orry-Kelly. My accessories included a 1950s salmon patent leather purse and floral satin pumps from Louise et Cie.

Though the audience at the event was largely new to me - which I loved - I did see some familiar faces who have come to my other events. But my most special guest at Film Noir Style was Kevin. He can't often join me, so I loved having him there to see it all and meet some people who are important to me.

At long last Jeff Mantor and I were able to do an event and book signing together! Film Noir Style came out during the pandemic, so things were delayed for us a bit. The feedback from people on both my book and event were absolutely incredible. Several men bought it after being blown away by my talk. And another gentleman brought his well-read copy from home for me to sign. Jeff and I teased some people that he got his Ava Gardner tattoo because he was such a fan of my book.

The screen as the audience entered the theater

Welcoming everyone to an event that's a dream come true -

finally starting a series to support my book Film Noir Style

Exploring the origins of film noir and digging into the backstory of The Maltese Falcon,

which was one of three movies I discussed and our screening that day

Jeff and I pause to take a selfie in front of the marquee

See you June 25 for "The War Years 1942-1945" and a screening of Laura!

Thanks to the American Cinematheque, Jeff, and Kevin for photos

Celebrate #Noirvember and the Holidays with FILM NOIR STYLE

Happy #Noirvember! This year is my first celebrating with Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s and I couldn't be happier. The past year has been so rewarding. The book continues to get rave reviews, with readers describing it as everything from "enthralling" to a "luscious deep dive" and many noting the "extensive" research behind it. I loved hearing people say that they didn't want the book to end.

In addition, I'm proud to say I've received endorsements from a couple of my favorite people at Turner Classic Movies (TCM):

"Style is the essential appeal of film noir, and Kimberly Truhler's book is an essential addition to the history of the noir movement. I learned a lot."  

Eddie Muller, TCM Host and Film Noir Foundation Founder

"With Film Noir Style, Kimberly Truhler pulls off the tricky challenge of writing to a broad audience. Her well-written book will appeal to both film school graduates and more casual fans who simply love the look of noir, like Rita Hayworth's in Gilda. Truhler's exploration of Hollywood's darkest and sexiest movies of the 1940s has style of its own."  

Ben Mankiewicz, TCM Host

Earlier in the year, I also enjoyed doing a 4-part online series to accompany Film Noir Style where I shared even more about the 20 films featured in the book. In case you missed them live, all of the events are available on demand on my Vimeo channel. They are also linked individually below.

My heartfelt thanks to all of you who purchased the book and went on this journey with me - you made the year so special!

Now that we're in the midst of the holiday season, I hope you'll consider Film Noir Style as a gift. You can find it just about everywhere - from big retailers like Amazon to smaller local stores. But the Larry Edmunds Bookshop remains the only place where you can get an autographed and personalized copy. I'll be going to the store soon to sign more books. If interested, you can buy Film Noir Style on their website. 

Happy holidays and enjoy #Noirvember!

Check out the 4-part Film Noir Style online series

Before the War: 1940-1941

The War Years: 1942-1945

The Year of Transition: 1946

The Post-War Years: 1947-1950

Get a signed copy of Film Noir Style from the Larry Edmunds Bookshop!

FILM NOIR STYLE Author Conversation at the Larry Edmunds Bookshop

On February 27, I joined Larry Edmunds Bookshop owner Jeff Mantor for a conversation about my book Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s. It was the first virtual event the store has ever had and I was honored to be their guest. Jeff and I spoke for an hour about just about everything - the origins of my love for classic cinema, how I chose the cover and 20 movies for the book, my writing process, costume design vs. fashion design, and all things film noir. Our enthusiastic audience was filled with many of our film family, so we also enjoyed an extended Q&A afterward. 

In case you missed it live, you can now watch the conversation on Larry Edmunds' new YouTube channel or through the player below. Enjoy!

I chose a vintage (real) leopard coat to discuss all things Film Noir Style

FILM NOIR STYLE Featured on Vancouver's OUR CITY TONIGHT

It's been such a busy last few weeks, so I'm playing a little bit of catch up here on GlamAmor. On February 21, hosts Jim Gordon and Leeta Liepins interviewed me about my book Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s for Vancouver's Our City Tonight! We had great fun discussing a lot of the elements of film noir - from the impact of rationing on the design to the role of the costume designer in assisting the femmes fatales to the strong women who are ever-present in the genre. Watch the interview on the Our City Tonight site or through the player below. Enjoy!

In honor of all the blouses and pencil skirts in noir,I wore a vintage silk blouse with a black pencil skirt for this conversation

Jim and Leeta LOVE the book!

Watch FILM NOIR STYLE: THE POST-WAR YEARS on Vimeo!

Last weekend an enthusiastic audience joined me to celebrate Film Noir Style: The Post-War Years! This was the final event in the four-part series, which mirrors my book Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s. This webinar examined the dramatic changes that occurred in both film and fashion after World War II along with the backstories and ongoing influence of six essential film noir from 1947 to 1950:

Dead Reckoning (1947)

Lady in the Lake (1947)

Out of the Past (1947)

The Lady from Shanghai (1948)

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

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. 

You can now watch all four events from the Film Noir Style series on demand on my Vimeo channel.

For the Post-War Years event,

I channeled Lizabeth Scott in Dead Reckoning (1947)

with my 2000s Laundry by Shelli Segal gown

Join me next month as I return to the 1930s and Pre-Code film

with The Style of Sin: Barbara Stanwyck!

FILM NOIR STYLE Featured on Seattle's New Day Northwest

 

This past week, host Amity Addrisi interviewed me about my book Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s for Seattle's New Day Northwest! It was something of a homecoming since I grew up in Central Washington, and many friends and family live in the Seattle area. We had fun discussing many of the films and actresses we all love from the genre - from Veronica Lake to Rita Hayworth - as well as the influence of film noir on 2021 fashion.  Watch the interview on the New Day Northwest site or through the player below. Enjoy!

There was a chill in the air in LA when I did the interview,

so I wore a red vintage sweater dress

Interviewed by Film Critic Nell Minow for the Motion Picture Association

One of the people who reached out to me about my book Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s was the incomparable Nell Minow. Nell is a renowned film critic whose own list of credits is long - writing for countless newspapers from the Chicago Sun-Times to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal as well as reviewing movies each week on radio stations across the United States and Canada. She is also a member of the Online Film Critics Society, the Broadcast Film Critics Association, and the Association of Women Film Journalists. To say that it was honor to speak with Nell about film is an understatement.

Adding to the excitement was that the Motion Picture Association wanted to publish the interview on their website The Credits. They loved our conversation so much that they published it in two parts rather than edit anything down. It was such fun and particularly special because Nell's daughter is a costume designer (who has been to my events at the Egyptian Theatre and online!). Thanks to both the MPA as well as the brilliant Nell Minow. It's definitely the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Read Part I of the interview

Read Part II of the interview

Sold Out at Larry Edmunds - Again - and #1 Movie History New Release on Amazon

 

Even before I went back to sign the second batch of Film Noir Style at the Larry Edmunds Bookshop last week, I learned I had SOLD OUT AGAIN! It was an incredible afternoon on Hollywood Boulevard that followed an incredible morning appearing on Chicago's WGN Morning News to promote the book.

For those who still want to buy an autographed copy through Larry Edmunds, they have just placed a third order for more. However, quantities will be extremely limited, so make sure to jump on it immediately once they announce that Film Noir Style is back in stock at the store.

For the signing, I wore a purple 1970s shirtdress 

with a wing collar favored by 1940s costume designer Orry-Kelly

and white leopard (faux fur) pumps

Then as if things couldn't get better, I learned from my publisher that Film Noir Style had become the #1 New Release for Movie History & Criticism on Amazon. This is so encouraging to me because it means the book is truly reaching a wide audience.

The response online has been absolutely incredible - thank you to everyone who has reached out to me. I love how many have shared their excitement at receiving Film Noir Style as well as all the wonderful compliments after reading the book. One gentlemen recently thanked me for being "seriously erudite on the subject" and then posted, "It's a great read - as informative as it is entertaining." I can't ask for much better than that.