Since I could not find a youtube video link of Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox introducing indie director/writer Jim Jarmusch’s 1986 deadpan crime comedy Down by Law, readers will have to rely on a page in the book of an old Moviedrome guide (read here), since the link to that episode transcript is missing (read here). The episode’s original airdate was September 9, 1990 (read here). As with Jarmusch’s previous film Stranger than Paradise (released two years earlier in 1984), Down by Law is another delightfully deadpan comedy with a European flavor. Like Paradise before it, Down by Law is photographed in black-and-white – this time by the late great Robby Muller. Nevertheless, the b&w cinematography on both films lend a poetic touch to the result. Last, but not least, the always wonderful musician Tom Waits, John Lurie (from Paradise), and Italian comedian Roberto Benigni complete the film. On an unrelated note, here is an interesting piece of trivia: Down by Law was the last film shown on Series 3 of Moviedrome in 1990. Next week, I will begin with Series 4 from 1991. If you are interested in reading a list of my favorite Jim Jarmusch films, read here.

Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer