Murder Mysteries: Greatest Classic Films Collection on DVD (4 Disc Set), includes 4 legendary mystery / noir movies: The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Big Sleep, Dial M for Murder and The Maltese Falcon.
The Big Sleep (1946)
L.A. private eye Phillip Marlowe takes on a blackmail case…and a trail peopled
with murderers, porographers, nightclub rogues, the spoiled rich and more.
Humphrey Boart plays Raymond Chandlers' legendary gumshoe and director Howard
Hawkes serves up snappy character encounters (particularly involving Lauren
Bacall), brisk pace and atmosphere galore in the certified classic.
Director: Howard Hawks, Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, John Ridgely,
Martha Vickers.
“One of the finest mainstream noir-thrillers ever made.” Time
Out
“The direction, cinematography, screenplay, brooding score and acting in
this movie are all without fault. If you see one film noir movie in your life,
make it this one.” Film4
“No screen couple, before or since, had as much chemistry as Bogart and
Bacall…It's unmissable, irresistible.” Guardian, UK
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
A married woman and a drifter fall in love, then plot to murder her husband…
but even once the deed is done, they must live with the consequences of their
actions.
Director: Tay Garnett, Based on the novel by James M. Cain, this film noir
stars: Lana Turner, John Garfield, Cecil Kellaway, Hume Cronyn
“one of the best film noirs of all time – and one of the earliest
prototypes of today's 'erotic thrillers.” filmsite.org
“one of a handful of essential film noirs of the 1940s..there's no good
reason to pass on this one. Highly recommended.” Blu-ray.com
“..a delicious 1946 romantic potboiler that ranks as a hallmark of the
film noir style, as well as the crown jewel in its director's long and mostly
forgotten career.” DVD Verdict
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Sam Spade is caught in a frantic search for the jeweled falcon of Malta and his
partner's killer. His pursuit leads him to a group of desperate individuals who
also want the bird.
Director: John Huston, Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George, Peter
Lorre
“..among the most important and influential movies to emerge from the
Hollywood system – as significant in some ways as its contemporary, Citizen
Kane.” ReelViews, James Berardinelli
“If ‘The Maltese Falcon’ doesn't qualify as the best private-eye yarn
ever filmed, I don't know what does.” Movie Metropolis
“This is one of the best examples of actionful and suspenseful
melodramatic story telling in cinematic form.” Variety
Dial M for Murder (1954)
An ex-tennis pro carries out a plot to murder his wife. When things go wrong, he
improvises a brilliant plan B.
Director: Alfred Hitchcock, Hitchcock's screen version of Frederick
Knott's stage hit stars: Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, John
Williams.
“Stage roots give the film a geographical economy – there are just two
real locations..but playing wonderfully against these constraints is a
labyrinthine plot that snakes along with Milland’s improvised devilry…a
meticulous Hitchcock thriller with an equally meticulous villain.” Total
Film
“Dial M for Murder” may not be one of Hitchcock's greatest films, but
it surely ranks in the middle tier. More important, it represents all that is
best about the director's craftsmanship…Hitch was a master of suspense.
It is a tribute to the director's art in “Dial M for Murder” that he was
able to create several scenes of intense suspense in what is essentially a
drawing-room mystery.." moviemet.com