MovieChat Forums > Conflict (1945) Discussion > Similar old DARK films?

Similar old DARK films?

posted 10 years ago by OpaqueOne
4 replies | jump to latest

By dark, I mean visually, thematically, plotwise, tone--everything. I love old melodrama/noir/mystery/suspense. Not so much cops, gangsters, and detectives, but the psychological thrillers with sinister gothic, nightmarish touches. Can you recommend any others along the lines of these? Any help is appreciated. Thanks :-)

The Two Mrs. Carrolls (1947)
The Spiral Staircase (1946)
House by the River (1950)
High Wall (1947)
Angel Face (1952)
Possessed (1947)
Phantom Lady (1944)
No Man of Her Own (1950)
Undercurrent (1946)
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946)

Note: Seen all Hitchcock, Lang, Siodmak. Avoid 'classic' noir if possible.

[–] djrumback 10 years ago

You may have already seen these, but if not, you might like :

Left-Handed Gun (1958)Well-paced, disturbing menace with young Paul Newman as Billy The Kid

Detour (1945) Edgar Ulmer; low-budget yet grim and effective

Night Must Fall (1964) Albert Finney version. To me, frightful, despite Leonard Maltin's dismissive review.

[–] OpaqueOne 10 years ago

Thank you. I'll check out all 3. Have not seen them yet. Much appreciated.

[–] waldenpond88 9 years ago

I would also add these films:
- "My Name is Julia Ross
- "Nightmare" (1942 with Brian Donlevy)
- "The Red House"
- "Leave her to Heaven" (Gene Tierney)
- "The Bad Seed"
- "Curse of the Demon"
- "He walked by Night" (Richard Basehart)
- "House on Telegraph Hill"
- "Sorry, wrong Number"
- "The Window" (Bobby Drisoll)
- "Sudden Fear" (Joan Crawford)
- "The Accused" (Loretta Young)
- "Born to kill" (Lawrence Tierney)
- "Fear in the Night" (the remake with Kevin McCarthy is even better: "Nightmare")

[–] RobbieCalifornia 8 years ago

The Prowler with Van Heflin.

And of course Night of the Hunter with the great Robert Mitchum. Not a cops/gangster film, but still a noir masterpiece.