Young Man with a Horn (1950) | NOIR CITY PHILADELPHIA w/ TCM Host Eddie Muller

NOIRCITY PHILADELPHIA is this November 13th-15th! Join our friends from The Film Noir Foundation at our historic theater for a weekend full of thrilling Film Noirs on the big screen. This year’s theme is 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰, we will be showcasing nine excellent films about musicians curated by Turner Classic Movies Host & Noir Expert Eddie Muller. Muller will join us in-person to provide introductions to each film and for special events like the ASK EDDIE Q&A with Imogen Sara Smith, Editor of the Film Noir Foundation’s Noir City Magazine. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 at amblertheater.org/specials (Festival Passes have sold out).
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗲: Star-crossed jazzman Rick Martin (Kirk Douglas) lives for his music, but arrogance (and alcohol) threaten to ruin him. Doris Day is the loyal singer whose love is unrequited, and Lauren Bacall is the woman he craves but can’t comprehend.
Carl Foreman’s script takes a few daring turns for a musical drama of the era, bolstered by Michael Curtiz’s dazzling direction and stunning camerawork by Ted McCord. Especially memorable are Rick’s horn solos provided by musical advisor Harry James—not to mention Doris Day’s enchanting vocal turns. And for 1950s Hollywood, Bacall’s character is as “out” as a lesbian could be. Dorothy Baker’s novel, inspired by the life of cornetist Bix Beiderbecke, gets the full-blown Hollywood treatment here. Adding depth and soul are the fantastic supporting performances by Hoagy Carmichael (an actual compadre of Beiderbecke) and Juano Hernandez as Rick’s mentor.