TCM: 6:15 PM Tonight, 'The Third Man' 1949 classic British film noir with Orson Welles, Joseph

[appalachiablue]

Last edited Sun Apr 19, 2015, 07:46 PM - Edit history (1)

Cotten, Trevor Howard and Alida Valli. Set in devastated Vienna in post WWII Europe, the thriller's plot involves Holly Martins (Cotten) an American pulp fiction writer who has traveled in search of old friend Harry Lime (Welles). Lime is a suspicious figure and an opportunist in the black market economy of the capital city of the Austrian empire then marked by ruins and bomb craters and occupied by French, British, Americans and Russians. The film was set in Vienna.

'The Third Man' is an artistic film masterpiece for the expressionistic visual cinematography and distinctive musical score played entirely on the zither instrument by Anton Karas. The romantic theme of the film is darker but a cousin of wartime 'Casablanca'. Look for Welles famous speech to Holly in the cable car, one of the most memorable if sinister in movie history.
~ Screenwriter, Graham Greene; Producers, Alexander Korda, Carol Reed and David O. Selznick.





*VIDEO, 3 minutes. *MUSIC THEME ONLY* with STILL PHOTOS. The Song topped international charts in 1950.

[appalachiablue]

3. The OP has received 52 views & 3 replies in 20 minutes. The film was also posted a few months ago

with very positive comments, and no negatives.
-------
OTOH:

* BILL MAHER PLAYBOY INTERIEW

*KEEP HEALTHY YOU OLD FARTS

*ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY DO NOT MARRY A SINGLE MOM WITH A DAUGHTER

*I'M ABOUT TO BECOME A CAREGIVER AGAIN

*JUDEN!! ('WOMAN IN GOLD') (RE NEW FILM WITH HELEN MIRREN ABOUT NAZI CONFISCATED ARTWORK)

*GLOOMY DON MCLEAN REVEALS MEANING OF 'AMERICAN PIE'- AND SELLING LYRICS FOR 1.2 MILLION

These OPs were posted in GD in the last few weeks. I'd like to hear your opinions as to their suitability-

[liberal_at_heart]

2. I love film noir. Thanks for the heads up.

[appalachiablue]

10. Fantastic, classic film. I appreciate it more with time-

[Paladin]

4. One of my favorites.

I've heard more than once that Welles wrote the memorable "Cuckoo Clock" statement, and I can believe it......

[appalachiablue]

9. I've got into it more over the years, the art, plot, acting and Welles genius-

Not to mention the SOCIOPATHY of Harry Lime, ruthless criminal who in the car when unconcerned with Anna's arrest, he sickly draws a heart & arrow on the glass while talking to Holly. Perfectly played.

[Paladin]

14. Not to mention the spot-on conclusion in the graveyard.

And the jaw-dropping camera angles, throughout. I remember years ago that Dick Cavett listed his favorite movies of all time, and he set forth "The Third Man" twice, just because he liked it so much.

[appalachiablue]

15. Very complex, fascinating film, & grisly! The photography was artistry; the visuals & camera angles

remind me of cubist and expressionist art also. That was a very original, unique period in film, especially in Europe with the Archers 'The Red Shoes', 'La Strada' which I just re-watched and more. Some amazing directors, producers, and cinematographers, real creativity-

[gratuitous]

6. A terrific movie

The movie rewards the attentive viewer (you can just let it wash over you, but there's a lot to be plumbed from the dialog and the settings). For students of film, the finale echoes such classics as "Phantom of the Opera" and "M."

[appalachiablue]

7. Fantastic film, I see more in it and appreciate it with time-

[KoKo]

8. K&R....

[appalachiablue]

11. Incredible film in every way. Carol Reed, Korda, Selznick, the actors & all created a masterpiece-

And the unigue zither *music score! Great version in that YouTube clip post-

[CBGLuthier]

12. One of the greats. Recently watched Our Man in Havana, for the first time

Another film written by Graham Greene and directed by Carol Reed. Was particularly taken with the great Ernie Kovacs performance. Greene had a wicked sense of humor.

[appalachiablue]

13. Heard of it for years, don't know how I haven't seen it?! Will look, put it on the list.