Shadows & Secrets: A Film Noir Series (Tickets at OjaiArtCenter.org)

Series runs Sundays from May 3 - July 26 (no screening June 28). Full series tickets available for $75 at ojaiartcenter.org. Tickets for individual screening available at the door for $10.

Featured Films

The twelve-film lineup spans the golden age of noir, highlighting powerful performances, groundbreaking direction, and unforgettable cinematography.

5/3: “The Strange Love of Martha Ivers” (1946) Barbara Stanwyck delivers one of her most dangerous performances in this gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.

5/10: “The Hitch-Hiker” (1953) The first American film noir directed by a woman, Ida Lupino’s chilling road thriller unfolds with relentless tension and stark realism.

5/17: “Scarlet Street” (1945) Fritz Lang’s masterful study of obsession and moral collapse features a haunting performance by Edward G. Robinson.

5/24: “Kansas City Confidential” (1952) A lean crime thriller following a wrongly accused man navigating a maze of deception to find the real culprits.

5/31: “The Naked City” (1948) Shot entirely on location in New York, this Criterion-restored classic transforms the city itself into a character.

6/7: “Panic in the Streets” (1950) A noir-inflected public health thriller directed by Elia Kazan set in New Orleans, where a M**der investigation reveals a deadly plague outbreak.

6/14: “He Walked by Night” (1948) Famous for its striking visual style by cinematographer John Alton, including a legendary climax set in the Los Angeles storm drains.

6/21: “Woman on the Run” (1950) Once nearly lost to history, this restored gem follows a wife who discovers the man she thought she knew may be a stranger.

7/5: “Too Late for Tears” (1949) Featuring one of the most ruthless femme fatales in film noir history.

7/12: “The Prowler” (1951) A chilling story of corruption and ambition, directed by Joseph Losey, starring Van Heflin as a cop whose moral compass completely vanished.

7/19: “Raw Deal” (1948) John Alton’s extraordinary cinematography and haunting narration elevate this hard-boiled tale of love and crime.

7/26: “The Big Combo” (1955) The series concludes with one of noir’s most visually striking films, renowned for its bold cinematography and unforgettable climax.

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Host or Publisher Irene Tirella