( 6 reviews )
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Posted: Jul 16 2009
DEATH ON THE CHEAP: the Lost B Movies Of Film Noir by Arthur Lyons is a paperback original about many of the forgotten movies that are usually categorized as fim noir films and also known as "B' movies. "B" movies are generally cheaply made second feature halves of a double bill. Sometimes it seems they were poorly made just to encourage audience turnover and keep those ticket counters clicking. But often, directors, writer and producers used a "B" programmer to try something new, or use someone who looked or acted slightly different. Or film a story that was a little left of the mainstream for a main feature but would do okay as an somewhat experimental second feature. And in the case of "film noirs," although they weren't known by that title when they wee made, film makers could employ VERY unusual methods or situations sometimes "just to see what would happen." Often the results were quite interesting and that what "Death On the Cheap" is about. The author, Mr. Lyons, describes many different types of noir, police procedurals, PI's, innocents snared in traps, etc in illustrating what types of situations have been filmed and describing either why they work or why they don't. My only complaint about the book is that it is so interesting that it could've been much longer and more detailed. On the whole, however, I give this book the highest rating possible because it is about as good as a reader is going to get on the subject of film noir "B" pictures. And, if nothing else, "Death On the Cheap" is useful as a checklist of obscure but interesting "B" noirs to view on DVD.
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Posted: Apr 16 2007
This is an exceedingly brief, but nonetheless entertaining book about the film noir genre. Art Lyons opted to concentrate on the "B" films produced at Hollywood's Poverty Row Studios, so many of the major films in the genre are mentioned only in passing in the text and not at all in the summaries. Neglected film offerings from Allied Artists, Columbia, Eagle-Lion, Monogram, Producers Releasing Corporation, Republic Pictures and other lesser outfits are on full display here. A handful of films from the middle tier studios like RKO and Universal are also covered. The book contains lists of film noir pictures produced by all of the studios during the classic period and amusing and succinct summaries of a variety of lesser known films. Lyons eschews the graduate school approach to film noir that is the bane of many fans who choose to watch these films for simple pleasure rather than to prepare for the defense of a Ph.D. dissertation. I have only two minor complaints. First, I wish that this enjoyable book was a little longer. Secondly, where do I obtain a copies of "The Night Editor" and the other obscure low rent flicks that Art Lyons has so eloquently praised? I really like these small gems that deliver some suspenseful thrills in slightly more than an hour. What a shame it is that the "B" film industry ground to a halt. The independent film movement has not been able to completely fill the void created by the demise of double features.
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Jan 23 2006
Death on the Cheap provides information about many Film Noirs which are often overlooked by film critics. I enjoyed reading about such B-movies as Blonde Ice. Jigsaw and others which are becoming available on DVD.
