Since I could not find a youtube video link of Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox’s introducing former cinematographer-turned-director Rudolph Mate’s 1949 film noir D.O.A., readers will have to rely on the episode’s transcript by clicking here. The episode’s original airdate was May 21, 1989 (read here). I enjoyed hearing Cox talk about the background history regarding the characteristics of the film noir genre and yes, be on the lookout for that whistle sound every time an attractive woman enters the scene in the film 🙂 As much as I love D.O.A., I must admit that the previously mentioned running gag does get old fast during one’s viewing of the film.
In case you are interested in watching the entire film, here is a youtube link below:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=D.O.A.+1949
As for the film’s original theatrical trailer, I strangely could not find one from it’s initial release, so you will just have to depend on your viewing of the film based on that link above.
Good pick….this used to be a staple of a indie TV in Los Angeles when I growing up,they used to play it 3-4 times a week,often times at 2-3 AM. Its in the public domain now …hence you can see it movie on YouTube.
Its a taut thriller that’s for sure and I liked the frentic pace as well….you can feel O’Brien’s time slipping through and it definitely ups the tension. This storyline has been a lot ever since it came out….a person poisoned with just a little time left.
I really enjoyed that film, John. I saw it in the 1960s, many years after it was released. And I went to see the 1988 remake (unusual for me) with Dennis Quaid too.
Best wishes, Pete.
Haha yes the above mentioned slide whistle is hilariously “Carry On”. But yeah it does take away some the of high tension in this superb thriller.
Nice heads up Pete on the Dennis Quaid remake. I didn’t know about that. I might venture into that one day to see how it fairs. Cheers.
I’m more familiar with the 1988 remake, when I first watched it I didn’t even know about the original or film noir back then. Oh, how things change. Maybe it’s me but I find the original so convoluted by the end that I usually find it hard to remember who is doing what to whom. Still, it does have a real pared down quality to it, and O’Brien’s non-leading man quality is ideal for the role he plays.
Gosh, it’s been ages since I saw this. I barely remember anything. Time for a revisit!
Yeah, I hated that whistle sound, but overall it’s a great flick. I think the films plot line is brilliant; I love the live jazz scenes and Edmund O’Brien is a very underrated actor. Definitely the best movie Mate directed. He was a much better cinematographer.
To me, the remake pales in comparison.
I can only well imagine but I’m kinda intrigued to one day see how they play it out. The original is pretty perfect, well apart from that slide whistle. Hehe what were they thinking!!
I think one of many good examples of D.O.A.’s plot device influence lies in that of the Crank movies. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
I did not care for the remake although it does hold a little interest due to the fact that the directors of that 1988 version were also responsible for the creation of the Max Headroom character. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
I was not a fan of the remake, but did you know that the directors of the 1988 version were responsible for the creation of the Max Headroom character? 🙂 Interesting isn’t it? 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
The whistle was a minor annoyance.
Not a big fan of the remake, but as I told Pete and Wolfie above, the only area of interest that it has for me comes from the two directors, who I heard were responsible for creating the Max Headroom character. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
The one thing I can undoubtedly say is that D.O.A. is an underrated gem 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
Same here on everything you said, although I have to rewatch some of Mate’s other films as director to see If your opinion passes muster – though he was a fantastic cinematographer that remains undisputed. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
I can see that for sure and while I’m a big Statham fan,I came away from the “Crank” films feeling I watched more of a video game then anything else. Did you see the remake of “D.O.A.” that Dennis Quaid did in the 80s?
Of course. Nice bit of comic relief through this most excellent dark moody noir.
Hi John I thought this might be of interest. A documentary by Moviedrome’s Mark Cousins is on tonight over here. He looks back on the troubles of Northern Ireland and Britain over a 50 year period through the medium of film. Hopefully it will get streamed somewhere for our overseas friends.
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/50-years-of-the-troubles-a-journey
Oh that would be awesome If it was picked up in America. Undoubtedly, If it ever did, PBS here in the States would probably pick it up since they have picked up just about almost every other BBC or ITV product that interests them. I do not know Cousins documentary will – to be honest, I sadly doubt it. Nevertheless, I am hoping it will be released on Blu-Ray/DVD here in the States one of these days 🙂
Some times these smaller docs get through the radar of copyright and can appear of YT later. If I see it on my travels I will let you know. I’m still to see it myself yet. Hopefully this week. Cheers John…. Mikey
Amazing I never knew that and I just saw the Super Mario film too!!!!!. I didn’t realise that Max Headroom reached overseas. Always good to learn new things. Cheers