Shades of Gray: Noir’s Complex Moralities

Read Time:4 Minute, 23 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Black Tuesday (Blu-ray)
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Genre: Crime, Thriller
Year Released: 1954, 2024
Runtime: 1h 20m
Director(s): Hugo Fregonese
Writer(s): Sydney Boehm
Cast: Edward G. Robinson, Jean Parker, Peter Graves, Milburn Stone, Warren Stevens, Sylvia Findley, Jack Kelly, Hal Baylor, James Bell, Vic Perrin, Russell Johnson
Where To Watch: available now, order your copy here: https://eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/black-tuesday/

RAVING REVIEW: In the halls of classic film noir, BLACK TUESDAY appears as a riveting exploration of the desperate measures that men resort to at the brink of doom. Directed by Hugo Fregonese with a screenplay by Sydney Boehm that’s as sharp as it is shrewd, the film drags its audience into the grimy underbelly of prison, where the lines between right and wrong are smudged under the weight of survival. At the heart of this journey is Edward G. Robinson, whose portrayal of Vincent Canelli, a hardened criminal scrabbling at the fringes of freedom, is both riveting and harrowing.

The plot explores the foreboding cells of death row, where Canelli's calculated plot to break free sets off. Alongside him is Peter Manning, played by Peter Graves, whose quiet possession of a crucial secret becomes an unintentional beacon of hope amidst the desperation. The breakout, executed amid the confines of claustrophobic corridors, unfolds with an intensity that sets the tempo for the rest of the film. This fraught beginning is a mere precursor to the high stakes and tension that define the fugitives' journey.

What distinguishes BLACK TUESDAY in the noir genre is its refusal to paint its characters with a simple brush of black or white. Canelli’s relationship with Hatti, depicted with complexity by Jean Parker, does not conform to the typical romantic subplot but instead highlights his self-centered survival instinct. The dynamic between Canelli and his hostages further smears a picture of the psychological toll that his actions impose, mainly through the lens of Father Slocum (Milburn Stone), whose spiritual interventions with Canelli deliver a fe
reflection on redemption and damnation.

The film is a visual palette brought to life by Stanley Cortez’s masterful cinematography. Employing the stark contrasts of the film stock, Cortez captures the darkness of the narrative with a precision that accentuates the oppressive atmosphere, punctuated only by the sparingly used yet poignant score that heightens the tension to almost palpable levels.

The ensemble cast adds depth to the drama, particularly Graves, whose portrayal of Manning contradicts Canelli's relentless drive. Their interactions' moral complexities are a microcosm of the film’s broader questions about justice, freedom, and the human condition.

Central to BLACK TUESDAY is its critique of the justice system. It weaves a narrative that questions the efficacy and morality of capital punishment. These philosophical inquiries are framed within the grim settings of the electric chair and the final walks of the condemned, provoking the audience to reflect on the nature of punishment and its implications.

Despite some narrative imbalance, BLACK TUESDAY remains a compelling piece of cinema that delves into themes as relevant today as they were at its release. With Robinson’s commanding performance and Cortez’s atmospheric visuals, the film invites contemporary audiences to delve into the complexities of a system too often taken for granted, making it a timeless piece in the annals of film noir.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Limited Edition (2000 copies)
Limited edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Scott Saslow
1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan of the 35mm fine grains
Optional English subtitles
A new audio commentary with film noir expert Sergio Angelini, host of the Tipping My Fedora podcast
From Argentina to Hollywood – a new interview with film historian Sheldon Hall on director Hugo Fregonese
No Escape – A brand new video essay by Imogen Sara Smith, author of In Lonely Places: Film Noir Beyond the City
A new video interview with critic and co-director of Il Cinema Ritrovato Ehsan Khoshbakht
Theatrical trailer
A Limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on Black Tuesday by critic Barry Forshaw and film writer Craig Ian Mann

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[photo courtesy of EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT]

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