Siodmak's Universal Noirs

While the style and entertainment value of the American studio films of Robert Siodmak (1900-1973) frequently matched those of his fellow émigré directors Alfred Hitchcock and Fritz Lang, the German-born Siodmak rarely gets the same level of critical attention today for his thrillers and films noir. Siodmak's direction combines efficient storytelling, wit, and a knack for great casting, evidenced here by a three-film sampling of his marvelous work made under contract at a then relatively low-profile Universal Studios. The series begins with Criss Cross the re-teaming of Siodmak with his star discovery from The Killers, Burt Lancaster.

  • Fri., Dec. 16 | 7:00 PM
    4070 Vilas Hall

Don't be fooled by the title; Christmas Holiday is one of the bleakest film noirs of the 1940s as Durbin recounts her marriage to gentleman-turned killer husband Kelly in flashbacks. Casting both lead actors against type and working with screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz's very loose adaptation of a W. Somerset Maugham story, Siodmak directs with his usual flair, adding elements of satire and German expressionsim. (KK)