The nineteenth edition of the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival is just a week away. They've got a great schedule this year, and some really wonderful special guests! Hope to see you there!
Founded in 2000 by the late mystery author and Palm Springs community leader, Arthur Lyons, the popular Film Noir festival includes an eclectic mixture of prestigious and obscure black and white “B” movies from the classic film noir period. The Festival is known for unearthing and screening rare films, restored classics, and for the special appearances of the stars who were in them.
The Arthur Lyons’ Film Noir Festival is presented by the Palm Springs Cultural Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, that was established to encourage the development of the cultural arts in the Coachella Valley with a specific focus in the areas of film, fine art, and community festivals. The Center is dedicated to advancing education, to nurturing community-wide participation in the cultural arts. The Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival is one of the great ways they achieve this goal.
The opening films is the Robert Mitchum classic, Farewell, My Lovely. Mitchum’s definitive portrayal of aging private eye Philip Marlowe is the centerpiece of the legendary star’s last best movie. This beautifully rendered film includes a memorable score by David Shire and is overdue for reappraisal on the big screen. The scheduled special guest of the night is the film's co-star, Jack O’Halloran.
Also included in this year's lineup are Larceny, The Turning Point, Flamingo Road and a personal favorite of mine, Witness for the Prosecution. The festival takes place May 10-13 in Palm Springs. Which sounds like a perfect place to have a Noir adventure for a weekend away from LA. Just don't forget your sunglasses. They're great for shade from the sun as well as for setting the perfect scene.