Jim wrote:
"Since the list seems to be in chronological order, I assume
the version of DILLINGER being covered is the onw ith Warren
Oates as Dillinger and Ben Johnson as FBI Agent Melvin
Purvis, not the 1945 noir with Lawrence Tierney?"
Right, he's writing about Milius's film, although he does
briefly mention the earlier one in the chapter. Decharne is a
very concise writer, and he's done his research. It's amazing
how much info he fluidly fits into the 12-20 page
chapters.
"Let me add my own kudos for that
lesser-known-but-deserves-to-be-far-better-known Brit
cop-noir, HELL IS A CITY. THE best, bar none, THE best
British cop movie ever, and a very faithful adaptation of
Maurice Procter's novel, published in the US as SOMEWHERE IN
THIS CITY, the first in his Harry Martineau series."
Decharne is British, so it's not surprising he gravitates to
the few exemplary UK hardboiled adaptations (this and Get
Carter). It's unfortunate that Proctor seems to be out of
print, even in the UK. Especially if he's as much of a shift
in UK crime writing as Decharne argues.
Mark
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : 14 Jul 2007 EDT