A couple weeks ago, July 19 through 21st, my husband Jimmy and I were fortunate to get to attend the Film Noir Foundation’s Noir City festival in Portland, OR. The festival was held at the gorgeous 1926 Hollywood Theatre in Portland. Film Noir Foundation founder and president, as well as TCM host, Eddie Muller, presented all three days of the festival. Jimmy and I were lucky to score a VIP pass which got us into all six of the films, plus the special conversation with Eddie Muller event, as well as two cocktail parties with Eddie in attendance.
Friday, July 19 started with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the Jade Rabbit restaurant in NE Portland–just a few minutes away from the theatre. The Jade Rabbit was a vegan dim sum restaurant and also home to the festival’s sponsor, Aimsir Distillery. Jimmy and I aren’t vegan, so we weren’t sure what to expect from the food. I’m happy to report that the food (wontons, lumpia, bao, and the siu mai) was amazing! We also had a few cocktails and they were all delicious. The food and drinks were complimentary! Jimmy and I also received copies of Eddie’s Noir Bar cocktail book. We met Eddie and he signed our books. I already have an autographed copy of the book, but I had him write one out to Jimmy and I and the other out to my parents. In addition to the cocktail book, our VIP tickets also came with a choice of one of the two souvenir Noir City Portland posters. Because Jimmy and I were both there, we just opted to get one of each.
The party ended at around 6:30ish and it was off to the Hollywood to see Noir City Portland’s opening film, Gilda (1946), one of my favorites. It was my first time seeing it on the big screen. Also, as part of our VIP experience, we were able to reserve our Gilda seats in advance. Jimmy and I selected two seats in the second to back row of the theatre. This is the best row, as it’s the only row where the seats aren’t in line with the other seats. If someone with a big head sits in front of you, you can still see! It’s a win-win. A suggestion was made after the festival to Jimmy’s and my “friend,” Ted Hurliman, Director of Education & Community Programs, at the Hollywood Theatre who helped bring Noir City to Portland: give the VIP members reserved seats for the entire festival. I wholeheartedly agree with this request.
After the conversation, we were set to watch the three films scheduled for the day: The Window (1949), No Abras Nunca Esa Puerta (Never Open That Door) (1952), and Night Has a Thousand Eyes (1948). Eddie Muller stated that Saturday was the Cornell Woolrich portion of the program. My parents stayed for The Window, based on a story by Woolrich. This was a film that I’d never seen before and it was fantastic. I don’t know why I hadn’t watched it. It was even on my DVR. I think it might have been because the story was centered around a child and often child-centric films don’t do anything for me. However, Bobby Driscoll, famous for voicing Disney’s Peter Pan (1953) and appearing in Disney’s Treasure Island (1950) and Song of the South (1946) was fantastic. Sadly, Peter Pan would be the peak of Driscoll’s success. He died a very sad death in 1968 at the age of 31. ::SPOILER:: Villain Paul Stewart’s death in The Window elicited a spontaneous applause from the audience which was a lot of fun.
The Night Has a Thousand Eyes was sold-out, which I figured would happen, since the film stars Edward G. Robinson. This film was screened on nitrate at the Egyptian Theater at this year’s TCM Film Festival; but Jimmy and I didn’t attend because it was screened at the exact time as my #1 favorite film of all time, The Long, Long Trailer. Sorry Eddie G., I love you, but I am not missing my all-time favorite film. I’m happy that ‘Eyes’ was featured at Noir City, because it was a fun film to see on the big screen. No matter the role, Edward G. Robinson is always worth watching. ‘Eyes’ closed out Saturday night.
Sunday opened with The Man Who Cheated Himself. This film was okay, it starred Lee J. Cobb who I’ll admit isn’t a favorite of mine. However, it also had John Dall, who I like a lot more. This was a fine film, it reminded me of Double Indemnity. This film was rescued by the Film Noir Foundation and was released on blu ray by Flicker Alley. I actually received a copy of this film at the conclusion of the festival. However, I already owned it as I bought it some time back as a blind buy. I gave my extra copy to my parents.
The festival closed out with In a Lonely Place. It was obviously sold out, because it stars Bogart. Of course a Bogart film will sell out. I love In a Lonely Place, it was actually my second time seeing it on the big screen. I saw this film last year at Cinema 21 theater in NW Portland. This screening was sold out. Everyone loved Bogart. I also enjoy this movie because my birthday (June 22) is mentioned when the police detective is reading off Bogart’s rap sheet. This is a fact that I mentioned to Eddie at the secret post-VIP cocktail party back at Jade Rabbit that Jimmy and I attended after the festival. Despite having to pay for our food and drinks this time, this party was almost better than the pre-party. Jimmy and I talked to Eddie for a full 30 minutes at least! At one point in the conversation, Eddie mentioned liking An Affair in Trinidad, a 1952 film starring Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford. I told him that ‘Trinidad’ features my birthday written on a letter Glenn sends to his brother (or the other way around). He finally had to excuse himself from talking to us because he “had to go talk to the other guests.” Jimmy and I concluded our party talking to our friend Ted from the Hollywood. We’ve seen him introduce dozens of films, so it was a lot of fun talking to him. I gave him a lot of suggestions of films to schedule. Lol. Ted also recommended Ride the High Country (1962) with Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott, telling us this is one of his favorite films. Jimmy and I watched it. My post on this is coming later as it’s a very late post for last week’s Western blogathon.
2 replies on “Noir City: Portland 2024”
This is soooo cool! It’s my dream to attend this as well as the TCM party.
Carol, The Old Hollywood Garden
Both festivals are so much fun! I am hoping to go to both next year. If Noir City comes to Portland again, that’s a given. I’ll be there. TCMFF is a whole other animal!