Richard Widmark stars as Harry Fabian, a conman trying to rustle up a few quid to break into wrestling promotion, in Night and the City (1950). Based on Gerald Kersh’s novel of the London underworld, the film was made in England with American money, produced by Twentieth Century Fox and directed by the blacklisted Jules Dassin. Night and the City is atmospheric, exciting and gritty, and according to my guest, ‘may well be the definitive noir film’. 

Film historian Foster Hirsch joins to discuss the film. Foster is the author of many books, including The Dark Side of the Screen: Film Noir and Hollywood and the Movies of the Fifties. 

Host: Jack McInroy 

Guest: Foster Hirsch

Theme music: Harlow Family Group 

Films featured on upcoming episodes of Made in England: https://letterboxd.com/saintjackmc/list/made-in-england-upcoming-episodes/ 

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