Criss Cross~ Classic Film Noir Starring Burt Lancaster & Yvonne DeCarlo

Criss Cross is undoubtedly one of the great classics of film noir, incorporating all the elements that comprise the genre-lighting,flashbacks, a heist, double crossing femme fatal etc. It is an early role for Burt Lancaster and Yvonne DeCarlo (who is best known to baby boomers for her role as Lili Munster). It is an even earlier role for Tony Curtis, who was cast as an extra (and can be seen briefly, dancing with DeCarlo in above clip). The music in this segment is provided by Cuban Flautist Esy Morales, performing Jungle Fantasy (in a rare on screen appearance). The song itself was a minor hit in the late forties and part of my record collection since I was nine years old. It can be heard on my Vinyl Meltdown Podcast Episode #16 "Jazz Impressions Of Film Noir".

Sweet Smell of Success

One of my favorite films of the 50's- You can't beat the dialogue,acting, and location shots. Also an amazing Jazz score featuring Chico Hamilton (who also appears on screen).
Sweet Smell of Success is a 1957 American film noir , directed by Alexander Mackendrick ,starring Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Susan Harrison and Martin Milner. The screenplay was by Clifford Odets, Ernest Lehman and Alexander Mackendrick from the novelette by Lehman. The film tells the story of a powerful newspaper columnist named J.J. Hunsecker (Lancaster) who uses his connections to ruin his sister's relationship with a man he deems inappropriate. Lancaster's role is based on famed New York columnist Walter Winchell. Soundtrack composed by Elmer Bernstein