July was a Celebration of 1946 FILM NOIR STYLE at the Aero

 

Thanks to all who came to my third Film Noir Style event for the American Cinematheque - "The Year of Transition 1946"! Everyone said they had a wonderful time and it was such fun celebrating the peak year of film noir style. Gilda, The Killers, The Postman Always Rings Twice, and The Big Sleep are all among the iconic film noir that premiered that year and continue to be highly influential on fashion.

Seeing Ava Gardner in The Killers on the big screen was extraordinary. Every actor is pure perfection in it and you can't get much better than its cinematographer Woody Bredell.

As always, much love to Jeff Mantor of the Larry Edmunds Bookshop for supporting me and another book signing.

See you Sunday, September 10 for the final event in the Film Noir Style series - "The Post-War Years 1947-1950" with a screening of Out of the Past (1947)!

I wore a red Dress the Population sheath with a sweetheart neckline, 

a signature 1940s design detail that Vera West incorporated into one of Ava's costumes in The Killers.

 And I paired it with leopard Sam Edelman pumps and a red patent vintage purse.

Starting by sharing the five film noir that I would discuss at the event

Signing books once again with Jeff Mantor of the historic Larry Edmunds Bookshop

See you September 10 for "The Post-War Years" and a screening of Out of the Past (1947)!

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!

Last Weekend was Filled with War Years' FILM NOIR STYLE at the American Cinematheque

 

Thanks to everyone who came to last Sunday's Film Noir Style "The War Years" event at the American Cinematheque! The Aero Theatre had a very full house - even more than the first event in the series - and the responses to both my talk and book have been wonderfully overwhelming.

I loved that fact that several people who saw my intro to The Philadelphia Story for Last Remaining Seats came to hear an even more extended version of my presentations! In addition, many new people came who had been following me for years and were finally able to attend an event. And seeing Laura on the big screen? Just WOW.

As always, a big thanks to Jeff Mantor of the Larry Edmunds Bookshop for being by my side and doing all the heavy lifting (literally).

Next up - "The Year of Transition 1946" with a screening of The Killers (1946) on Saturday, July 29. Visit the American Cinematheque's site for tickets.

For "The War Years," I chose a black Donna Morgan sheath dress 

that featured signature design elements from the 1940s, 

especially the keyhole and sleek minimal silhouette

I paired my dress with a black 1950s lizard embossed leather handbag 

and bright blue snake embossed d'orsay pumps

With my partner in crime Jeff Mantor of the Larry Edmunds Bookshop 

as the theatre opens its doors

The welcome screen for the event

Opening my talk

with the six films featured in the event

Celebrating the importance of the Aero Theatre during World War II

I was delighted that some friends were able to come to the event, 

including the warm and wonderful Monica Banken

and author Sloan De Forest

See you July 29 for "The Year of Transition 1946" and a screening of The Killers (1946)!

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

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: THE KILLER 1940s On Sale October 2020

I'm very excited to share the working cover of my book Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s! 

Film Noir Style is a deep dive into the dark side of 1940s style - celebrating some of the genre's most influential films and stars while also examining the historical context of the time. As the cover shows - in a couple ways - The Killers (1946) is one of the 20 films featured in this beautiful coffee table book. Film Noir Style will be on shelves October 2020, which perfectly coordinates with Fall fashion collections that so frequently reference noir. It's also just in time for the holidays. Pre-orders are available on Amazon.

Many thanks to my editors at GoodKnight Books, a publishing house run by the talented Mary Rothhaar, who have been so supportive of this project. I'm very proud to be an author for a company that's run by a woman and one that also makes it a priority to print in the United States. You can see some of their other great Hollywood titles below.

I have just submitted all the copy for the book and we're now selecting the many stunning photos that will be featured in Film Noir Style. I can't wait to share with you all!

Writing a Book on FILM NOIR STYLE!

I'm very excited to announce that I am writing a book on Film Noir Style! 

The book will celebrate some of the genre's most influential films and stars of the 1940s as well as examining the historical context of the time. The clip above is a not so subtle clue that Gilda (1946) will likely be included. Film Noir Style will be on shelves October 2020, which perfectly coordinates with Fall fashion collections that so frequently reference noir. It's also just in time for the holidays.

Many thanks to my new friends at GoodKnight Books, a boutique publishing house run by the lovely Mary Rothhaar. I'm so proud to be an author for a company that's run by a woman and one that also makes it a priority to print in the United States. You can see some of their other great Hollywood titles below.

I'm already having a wonderful time with Film Noir Style and can't wait to share with you all.