FORCE OF EVIL and INSIDE DETROIT

FORCE OF EVIL
1948, MGM [Park Circus]. 78 min.
Scr. Abraham Polonsky and Ira Wolfert, from Wolfert’s novel
Dir. Abraham Polonsky
One of the most distinctive and subversive works of the original noir era, Polonsky’s directorial debut is an exposé of the New York numbers racket and a riveting tale of a fallen man’s search for his soul (John Garfield, in one of his best roles). Stylized art direction complements vivid New York location footage. Featuring an evocative score by David Raksin and memorable performances by Thomas Gomez, Marie Windsor, and Roy Roberts. Innovative and superlative in every respect.

INSIDE DETROIT
1956, Columbia. 82 min.
Scr. Robert E. Kent and James B. Gordon.
Dir. Fred Sears
Shot entirely on location in Detroit, this independently produced thriller revolved around a deposed boss of the International Automobile Workers (Pat O’Brien) using gangland tactics to wrest control of the union away from his straight-arrow successor (Dennis O’Keefe). Terse and surprisingly violent for the time, this isn’t truly a film noir—but how can we pass up a chance to screen the only crime thriller of the era actually made in the Motor City! Don’t miss this rare screening!