Death on the Cheap: The Lost B Movies of Film Noir
by Arthur Lyons
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Book Summary Information
Author: Arthur LyonsEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2000-10-25
ISBN: 0306809966
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Da Capo Press
Book Reviews of Death on the Cheap: The Lost B Movies of Film Noir
Book Review: No Down Payment
Summary: 5 Stars
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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