The dark detective office. A gruff, down-on-his-luck private eye. Smoke-filled air, dimly lit by a jagged, slanted window shade. Then “she” walks through the door.
It’s a premise many film noir lovers are familiar with. Classics like Out of the Past and Maltese Falcon employ a familiar motif that helped to define a genre. But for every Humphrey Bogart and Jane Greer, there’s a Dennis O’Keefe and Audrey Totter.
If you love film noir, but have already seen all the classics, here’s a list of films that may have missed your magnifying glass.
The Set-Up (1949)
Boxer Bill “Stoker” Thompson may be past his prime, but don’t bet against him just yet. Up against the fitter Tiger Nelson, his own manager takes mob money for a dive. Unaware Stoker isn’t going down without a fight—but with mob man Little Boy watching, a win could cost him him more than his career.
Abandoned (1949)
A baby born to an un-wed mother is sold in a baby black market, and when a new reporter helps her reclaim her child, the girl turns up dead. Some call it a shameful suicide, but the girls sister thinks its a murder. Our newsman investigates, and uncovers a organized baby black market led by a diabolical matriarch.
Criss Cross (1949)
Steve Thompson may be divorced, but there’s still only one woman on his mind. Determined to win back his ex-wife, he penetrates the shadowy L.A. underworld in an effort to save his love from the hoods she now runs with.
Moonrise (1948)
When Danny Hawkins’ father his hanged for murder, a few mental screws come loose, and during a bar room brawl over a girl he too kills another man. The girl won’t talk to police though, and Danny starts to win him over…that is until she urges him to confess.
Gun Crazy (1950)
Bart and Annie are a match made in gun heaven. One’s an ex-military gun nut, while the other’s a sharpshooting carnival girl. The two settle in to married life, but before long financial woes set in. What follows is an over-the-top robbing road trip filled with enough sexual innuendo to fill a blimp.
Act of Violence (1948)
Veteran Frank Enley’s average all-American life was going swell, that is until Joe Parkson came to town. The two served together during the war, and a history of bad blood has been brewing since Enley foiled their prison camp escape. When Parkson follows Enley to L.A., their history comes to a head in this post-war thriller.
Illegal Entry (1949)
An ex-miltary pilot sets up his own one-man freight business, but before he can settle in he discovers some disturbing human cargo. Determined to bring this illegal smuggling ring to justice, he goes undercover to catch the crooks.
Side Street (1950)
Joe Norson has a baby on the way, but not much else. Low on cash and desperate, he steals a large sum of money from the wrong group of people. But when he decides to return it, he finds that the money has vanished—along with the pal he left it with. Now the worst of New York his on his tail, and they’re closing in.
Cry Danger (1951)
When Rocky Mulloy is released from prison, he sets out to find the people that set him up. Put away for armed robbery, he embarks on quest to clear his name. But between his doubting wife, money-hunting cop Gus Cobb and a slew of fast-talking tough guys, Rocky better think twice about who to trust.
They Live By Night (1949)
Bowie the Kid may have escaped prison, but he can’t get away from his past. Content to settle in with his new love Kitty, his hopes are dashed when his old crew comes-a-knockin’. Now it will take all his wits to clear his name and separate from the gang for good.
Patrick once saved a drowning dog from an icey pond, so he is probably better than you. 
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