On this day in movie history - Big Town After Dark (1947):

Big Town After Dark

directed by William C. Thomas,

written by Whitman Chambers,

based on the radio series Big Town,

was released in the United States on December 12, 1947.
Music by Darrell Calker.

Cast:

Phillip Reed, Hillary Brooke, Richard Travis, Ann Gillis, Joe Sawyer, Robert Kent, Charles Arnt, Joseph Allen, Vince Barnett, William Haade, Fred Aldrich, Don Barclay, Benny Bartlett, Gregg Barton, Gladys Blake, Dorothy Christy, Sumner Getchell, John Holland, Richard Keene, Frank Marlowe, Mary Newton, Anne O'Neal, Marin Sais, Arthur Space, Forrest Taylor, Dorothy Vaughan, Guy Wilkerson.

On this day in movie history - The Flame (1947):

The Flame

directed by John H. Auer,

written by Lawrence Kimble,

based on a story by Robert T. Shannon,

was released in the United States on November 24, 1947.
Music by Heinz Roemheld.

Cast:

John Carroll, Vera Ralston, Robert Paige, Broderick Crawford, Henry Travers, Hattie McDaniel, Blanche Yurka, Constance Dowling, Victor Sen Yung, Harry Cheshire, John Miljan, Garry Owen, Eddie Dunn, Jeff Corey.

Born on this day – Daniela Giordano:

Daniela Giordano

Actress

November 7, 1947– December 16, 2022

Credits:

Batton Story (1976); Bloody Friday (1972); Bolidi sull'asfalto a tutta birra! (1970); Daniela's Inquisition (2017); Dante's Project (2015); Death Walks on High Heels (1971); Ein kalter Tag (2017); Erba Celeste (2015); Eurotika! (1999); Evil Eye (1975); Find a Place to Die (1968); Four Gunmen of the Holy Trinity (1971); Four Times That Night (1971); Frankenpimp's Revenge: The Romeo and Juliet Massacre (2020); Have a Good Funeral, My Friend... Sartana Will Pay (1970); Help Me Have No Human Ways (2015); I barbieri di Sicilia (1967); Il fidanzamento (1975); Il lungo giorno del massacro (1968); Inquisition (1977); Jean-Roch Coignet (1969); Kara Murat: Seyh Gaffar'a Karsi (1977); Killer's Gold (1979); La cameriera (1974); La sfida dei MacKenna (1970); L'adolescente (1976); Le segrete esperienze di Luca e Fanny (1980); L'infermiera... di mio padre (1976); Lobo the Bastard (1971); Merkwürdige Lebensgeschichte des Friedrich Freiherrn von der Trenck (1973); Mondo Macabro (2001); Ombre roventi (1970); Play-Boy (1967); Reflections in Black (1975); Sexy Susan Sins Again (1968); Soror (2022); Stay Away from Trinity... When He Comes to Eldorado (1972); The 5-Man Army (1969); The Case of the Bloody Iris (1972); The Girl in Room 2A (1974); The Naked Doorwoman (1976); The Night of the Scorpion (1972); The World of Shadows (2015); Trinity and Sartana Are Coming (1972); Un toro da monta (1976); Un'estate, un inverno (1971); Vedo nudo (1969); Violent Rome (1975); Your Vice Is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key (1972).

On this day in movie history - Body and Soul (1947):

Body and Soul

directed by Robert Rossen,

written by Abraham Polonsky,

was released in the United States on November 6, 1947.
Music by Hugo Friedhofer.

Cast:

John Garfield, Lilli Palmer, Hazel Brooks, Anne Revere, William Conrad, Joseph Pevney, Lloyd Gough, Canada Lee, Art Smith, Larry Steers, Larry Anzalone, Al Bain, Steve Benton, Eddie Borden, Paul Bradley, James Burke, George M. Carleton, James Carlisle, Wheaton Chambers, Mary Currier, Sayre Dearing, Artie Dorrell, Al Eben, Ceferino García, Joe Gray, Virginia Gregg, John Indrisano, Sheldon Jett, Milton Kibbee, Mike Lally, Glen Lee, Theodore Lorch, George Magrill, Sid Melton, Harold Miller, Forbes Murray, William H. O'Brien, Charles Perry, Paul Power, Mike Ragan, Bob Reeves, Frank Riggi, Cyril Ring, Shimen Ruskin, Tim Ryan, Bert Stevens, Dan Tobey, Sid Troy, Peter Virgo, John Wald, Ulysses Williams, Florence Wix.

Born on this day – Linda Haynes:

Linda Haynes

Actress

November 4, 1947 – July 17, 2023

Credits:

Brubaker (1980); Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (1980); Human Experiments (1979); Rolling Thunder (1977); The Drowning Pool (1975); Judgment: The Court Martial of Lieutenant William Calley (1975); Paper Moon (1974); The Nickel Ride (1974); Coffy (1973); My Three Sons (1972); This Is the Life (1971); Counselor at Law (1971); Room 222 (1971); Latitude Zero (1969); In Like Flint (1967).

Born on this day – Jim Steinman:

Jim Steinman

Composer

Singer

Musician

Lyricist

November 1, 1947 – April 19, 2021

Music credits:

(including collaborations with Bonnie Tyler, Meat Loaf, Billy Squier and Pandora's Box)

Bad for Good (1981); Faster Than the Speed of Night (1983); Signs of Life (1984); Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire (1986); Bat Out of Hell (1977); Dead Ringer (1981); Bad Attitude (1984); Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose (2006); Braver Than We Are (2016); Original Sin (1989); Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell (1993); Whistle Down the Wind (1996); A Man's a Man (1967); Baal (1968); The Beard (1968); The Dream Engine (1969); More Than You Deserve (1973); Rhinegold (1974); The Confidence Man (1976); Neverland (1977); A Small Circle of Friends (1980); Rude Awakening (1989); Tanz der Vampire (1997); Shrek 2 (2004); Bat Out of Hell The Musical (2017); Meat Loaf: Going All the Way (2016); Meat Loaf Feat. Marion Raven: It's All Coming Back to Me Now (2006); Meat Loaf: Is Nothing Sacred (1999); Tina Arena: Whistle Down the Wind (1998); Céline Dion in Céline Dion: It's All Coming Back to Me Now (1996); Bonnie Tyler: Making Love (Out of Nothing at All) (1996); Taylor Dayne: Original Sin (1995); Meat Loaf: Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are (1994); Meat Loaf: Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through (1994); Meat Loaf: I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) (1993); Pandora's Box: It's All Coming Back to Me Now (1989); Bonnie Tyler Feat. Todd Rundgren: Loving You's a Dirty Job (But Somebody's Gotta Do It) (1985); Fire Inc.: Nowhere Fast (1984); Meat Loaf: Surf's Up (1984); Meat Loaf: Nowhere Fast (1984); Fire Inc.: Tonight Is What It Means to Be Young (1984); Bonnie Tyler: Holding Out for a Hero (1984); Bonnie Tyler: Faster Than the Speed of Night (1983);Meat Loaf: Read 'Em and Weep (1982); Dead Ringer (1982); Meat Loaf: More Than You Deserve (1981); Meat Loaf: I'm Gonna Love Her for Both of Us (1981); Meat Loaf: Dead Ringer for Love (1981); A Small Circle of Friends (1980); Meat Loaf: Bat Out of Hell (1979); Meat Loaf: You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night) (1978).

Born on this day – William Girdler:

William Girdler

Director

Writer

Composer

Producer

October 22, 1947 – January 21, 1978

On this day in movie history - The Unsuspected (1947):

The Unsuspected

directed by Michael Curtiz,

written by Ranald MacDougall and Bess Meredyth,

based on the novel by Charlotte Armstrong,

was released in the United States on October 11, 1947.
Music by Franz Waxman.

Cast:

Joan Caulfield, Claude Rains, Audrey Totter, Constance Bennett, Hurd Hatfield, Ted North, Fred Clark, Harry Lewis, Jack Lambert, Nana Bryant, Walter Baldwin, Ray Walker, Barbara Woodell.

Recommended reading - The Chair for Martin Rome (1947):

The Chair for Martin Rome

By Henry Edward Helseth.

ASIN: B0007I5CI0

First published 1947.

Published by Pocket Books.

Paperback.

Description:

Condemned killer escapes.

Martin Rome killed a policeman during a robbery. For this the State sentenced him to the electric chair. But before that bleak final moment Martin Rome had business to finish outside the jail – matters of stolen jewels and some human rats and a girl whose very existence he denied to the detectives but whose reality for him transcended all things. The swift, terrifying story of his mad undertaking, the grim revelation it brought to the police and, even more grimly, to Rome itself, is an emotional experience that leaves the reader thrilled and unnerved at the closing page.

“Just about the most real and convincing tough-job that has come in this season. Not easily forgettable.”

– Saturday Review of Literature.

On this day in movie history - Dark Passage (1947):

Dark Passage

directed and written by Delmer Daves,

based on the novel by David Goodis,

was released in the United States on September 27, 1947.
Music by Franz Waxman.

Cast:

Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Bruce Bennett, Agnes Moorehead, Tom D'Andrea, Clifton Young, Douglas Kennedy, Rory Mallinson, Houseley Stevenson, John Arledge, Frank Wilcox.

Born on this day – Meat Loaf:

Meat Loaf

Singer

Actor

September 27, 1947 – January 20, 2022

Credits:

Albums:

Bat Out of Hell (1977); Dead Ringer (1981); Midnight at the Lost and Found (1983); Bad Attitude (1984); Blind Before I Stop (1986); Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell (1993); Welcome to the Neighbourhood (1995); Couldn't Have Said It Better (2003); Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose (2006); Hang Cool Teddy Bear (2010); Hell in a Handbasket (2011); Braver Than We Are (2016).

Movies / television / music videos:

Ghost Wars (2017–2018); Elementary (2012); Meat Loaf: Going All the Way (2016); Meat Loaf Feat. Stacy Michelle: Speaking in Tongues (2016); Sausage Party (2016); Wishin' and Hopin' (2014); Stage Fright (2014); All American Christmas Carol (2013); The Moment (2013); Meatloaf: Guilty Pleasure Tour, Live from Sydney (2012); U B Da Judge (2012); Fairly Legal (2011); Absolute Killers (2011); Polish Bar (2010); Glee (2009); Beautiful Boy (2010); Burning Bright (2010); Meat Loaf: Los Angeloser (2010); Monk (2002); Citizen Jane (2009); House (2004); Jimmy Kimmel & Ben Affleck: I'm Fucking Ben Affleck (2008); Urban Decay (2007); Meat Loaf: Cry Over Me (2007); Meat Loaf: Blind As a Bat (2006); Masters of Horror (2005); Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (2006); Meat Loaf Feat. Marion Raven: It's All Coming Back to Me Now (2006); The Pleasure Drivers (2006); Memento of Flesh and Bones (2005); BloodRayne (2005); Crazylove (2005); Chasing Ghosts (2005); Extreme Dating (2005); Fight Club (2004); A Hole in One (2004); Meat Loaf: Did I Say That? (2003); Meat Loaf: Man of Steel (2003); Learning Curves (2003); Meat Loaf: Couldn't Have Said It Better (2003); John Doe (2002); The Car Kid (2002); Wishcraft (2002); The Salton Sea (2002); Polish Spaghetti (2001); Formula 51 (2001); Focus (2001); Trapped (2001); Rustin (2001); Italian Ties (2001); The Ballad of Lucy Whipple (2001); From Spam to Sperm (2000); Blacktop (2000); The Outer Limits (1995); The Diary of the Hurdy-Gurdy Man (1999); Python Night: 30 Years of Monty Python (1999); Fight Club (1999); Crazy in Alabama (1999); Meat Loaf: Is Nothing Sacred (1999); Outside Ozona (1998); South Park (1997); Everything That Rises (1998); The Mighty (1998); Black Dog (1998); Gunshy (1998); Spice World (1997); Dead Man's Gun (1997); Nash Bridges (1996); Meat Loaf: Not a Dry Eye in the House (1996); Meat Loaf: I'd Lie for You (and That's the Truth) (1995); Meat Loaf: Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are (1994); To Catch a Yeti (1994); Meat Loaf: Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through (1994); Top of the Pops (1964); Cher: The Video Collection (1993); Psyched for Snuppa (1993); Meat Loaf: I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) (1993); Leap of Faith (1992); The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag (1992); Tales from the Crypt (1989); Lightning Force (1991); Wayne's World (1992); Motorama (1991); Monsters (1988); The Squeeze (1987); Meat Loaf: Getting Away with Murder (1986); Talking Heads: Wild Wild Life (1986); Meat Loaf Feat. John Parr: Rock 'n' Roll Mercenaries (1986); Out of Bounds (1986); The Wrestlers: Land of a Thousand Dances (1985); The Equalizer (1985); Rebellious Jukebox (1983); Feel the Motion (1985); Meat Loaf: Surf's Up (1984); Meat Loaf: Nowhere Fast (1984); Meat Loaf: Modern Girl (1984); Meat Loaf: Razor's Edge (1983); Meat Loaf: If You Really Want To (1983); Will Powers: Adventures in Success (1983); Dead Ringer (1982); Meat Loaf: More Than You Deserve (1981); Meat Loaf: I'm Gonna Love Her for Both of Us (1981); Meat Loaf: Dead Ringer for Love (1981); Roadie (1980); Scavenger Hunt (1979); Americathon (1979); Meat Loaf: Bat Out of Hell (1979); Meat Loaf: You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night) (1978); Meat Loaf: Two Out of Three Ain't Bad (1978); Meat Loaf: Paradise by the Dashboard Light (1977); The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975); State Fair (1962).

On this day in movie history - Philo Vance's Secret Mission (1947):

Philo Vance's Secret Mission,

directed by Reginald Le Borg,

written by Lawrence Taylor,

was released in the United States on August 30, 1947.
Music by Emil Cadkin, Ernest Gold and Karl Hajos.

Cast:
Alan Curtis, Sheila Ryan, Tala Birell, Frank Jenks, James Bell, Frank Fenton, Paul Maxey, Kenneth Farrell, Toni Todd, David Leonard, William Newell, Tom Quinn, Harry Strang, Frank Wilcox.

Born on this day – Cindy Williams:

Cindy Williams

Actress

Producer

August 22, 1947 – January 25, 2023

Credits:

10th Annual TV Land Awards (2012); 1998 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (1998); 50 Years of Funny Females (1995); 78th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (2009); 7th Heaven (2002); 8 Simple Rules (2003); A Dream of Christmas (2016); A Life of Laughter: Remembering John Ritter (2003); ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2003); ABC's Silver Anniversary Celebration (1978); Access Hollywood (2023); All-Star Salute to Mother's Day (1981); America 2-Night (1978); American Graffiti (1973); An Evening at the Improv (1988); Andy's Funhouse (1979); Are We There Yet? (2012); Barefoot in the Park (1970); Beltline to Broadway / Podcast Series (2022); Between the Lines with Barry Kibrick (2015); Beware! The Blob (1972); Big Man on Campus (1989); Bingo (1991); Biography (1999–2005); Bloopers Galore (1989); Blushing Bloopers (1990); Canaan Land (2020); Cannon (1974); CBS News Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley (2023); Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes (1977); Celebrity Ghost Stories (2012); CHiPs (1979–1980); Circus of the Stars #2 (1977); Classic Bloopers (1990); Cos (1976); Crimes of Passion: Escape from Terror - The Teresa Stamper Story (1995); Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Angie Dickinson (1977); Delphine and Carole (2019); Dinah and Her New Best Friends (1976); Dinah! (1976); Disco Fever: 'Saturday Night Fever' Premiere Party (1977); Donny and Marie (1976–1978); Drive (2007); Drive, He Said (1971); Earth Angel (1991); Empire of Dreams: The Story of the 'Star Wars' Trilogy (2004); Entertainment Tonight (1998–2023); Entertainment Tonight Presents: Laverne and Shirley Together Again (2002); Entertainment Tonight Presents: TV's Greatest Scandals (2000); Father of the Bride (1991); Father of the Bride Part II (1995); For Goodness Sake (1993); For Your Love (2000–2002); From Dollars to Donuts: An Undressing of the First Nudie Musical (2002); Gas! -Or- It Became Necessary to Destroy the World in Order to Save It. (1970); Gene Kelly: An American in Pasadena (1978); General Electric's All-Star Anniversary (1978); Getting By (1993–1994); Getting Together (1971); Girlfriends (2004–2005); Girls Across the Lake (1997); Good Morning America (2012 / 2023); Great Women of Television Comedy (2003); Happy Birthday, Bugs!: 50 Looney Years (1990); Happy Birthday, Las Vegas (1977); Happy Days (1975–1979); Happy Days Reunion Special (1992); Happy Days: 30th Anniversary Reunion (2005); Hawaii Five-O (1974); History of the Sitcom (2021); Hollywood Bloopers Uncensored (1990); Hollywood Squares (1999); Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers (1985); Home & Family (2015); Hope & Gloria (1996); Inside Edition (2015); Insight (1975); Intimate Portrait (2001–2003); Joanna (1985); Just Like Family (1989); Kathie Lee Gifford's Celebration of Motherhood (1993); Laugh? I Thought I'd Die! (1999); Laugh-In (1977–1978); Laverne & Shirley (1976–1982); Laverne & Shirley in the Army (1981–1982); Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2004); Less Than Perfect (2002); Life's Most Embarrassing Moments (1983); Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1994); Lost Heart (2020); Love (2015); Love, American Style / Segments: Love and the Time Machine; Love and the Face Bow (1973); Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1976); Magic with the Stars (1982); Magico David (1992); Meet Wally Sparks (1997); Menu for Murder (1990); More American Graffiti (1979); Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour (1982); Morning Joe (2023–2024); Mr. Ricco (1975); Music Box (2021); My World and Welcome to It (1970); Nanny and the Professor (1971); NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (2023); Night Stand (1995); Normal Life (1990); Omnibus (1980); One on One with John Tesh (1992); Oops! The World's Funniest Outtakes 3 (1996); Pac Preview Party (1982); Parenting & Beyond (1995); Perry Mason: The Case of the Poisoned Pen (1990); Pet Star (2003); Peter at the End (2012); Petrocelli (1976); Police Story (1975); Richard Rossi Live (1991); Room 222 (1969–1971); Rude Awakening (1989); Ruminations (2018); Sam & Cat (2013); Sami (2023); Saturday Night Live (1977); Save the Dog! (1988); ShirleyMania (2002); Shorty McShorts' Shorts (2007); Show Biz Bloopers (1991); Sitcom: The Adventures of Garry Marshall (1979); Sois belle et tais-toi! (1981); Son of the Beach (2001); Star Wars Screen Test - Cindy Williams (1977); Stealing Roses (2012); Steel Magnolias (1990); Still Waiting in the Wings (2018); Strawberry Summer (2012); Strip Mall (2000–2001); Suddenly, Love (1978); Surge of Power: Big City Chronicles (2019); TCM Remembers 2023 (2023); The 19th Annual Publicists Guild of America Awards (1982); The 24th Annual TV Week Logie Awards (1982); The 28th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1976); The 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2023); The 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1979); The 34th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1977); The 35th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1978); The 37th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1980); The 3rd Annual People's Choice Awards (1977); The 5th Annual TV Land Awards (2007); The 6th Annual American Cinema Awards (1989); The 6th Annual American Comedy Awards (1992); The 6th Annual TV Land Awards (2008); The Andy Kaufman Show (1983); The Biggest Fan (2005); The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour (1982); The Brothers Garcia (2001–2002); The Cindy Williams Comedy Special (1994); The Conversation (1974); The Creature Wasn't Nice (1981); The Factor (2008); The First Nudie Musical (1976); The Funny Side (1971); The Happiest Man Alive (2010); The Happy Days of Garry Marshall (2020); The Hollywood Moment at Home Edition (2020); The Interviews: An Oral History of Television (2013); The Joy of Natural Childbirth (1985); The Killing Kind (1973); The Laverne & Shirley Reunion (1995); The Legend of William Tell (2006); The Magic of ABC (1977); The Magic of David Copperfield (1978); The Magic of David Copperfield III: Levitating Ferrari (1980); The Magic School Bus (1995); The Magical World of Disney (1986); The Making of 'American Graffiti' (1998); The Matthew Aaron Show Podcast (2011); The Merv Griffin Show (1974); The Migrants (1974); The Mike Douglas Show (1976–1980); The Odd Couple (2016); The Pack Podcast (2020); The Patty Duke Show: Still Rockin' in Brooklyn Heights (1999); The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1999); The Rosie Show (2012); The Seventies (2015); The Stepford Husbands (1996); The Talk (2015); The Test (2001); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1974–1979); The Weekend in Vegas (2016); Then Again with Herbie J Pilato (2019); Today (2004–2023); Touched by an Angel (1996); Travels with My Aunt (1972); Tricks of the Trade (1988); TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV (2003); TVography: Laverne & Shirley (2001); TV's Greatest Sidekicks (2004); UFOria (1984); Unexplained Mysteries / Segment: The Craft of Healing (2004); VH-1 Behind the Movie (2002); VH-1 Where Are They Now? (2002); Walt Disney World 4th of July Spectacular (1988); Weakest Link (2001); Whatever Happened To? (2008); When Dreams Come True (1985); Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (2001 / 2018).

On this day in movie history - Kiss of Death (1947):

Kiss of Death,

directed by Henry Hathaway,

written by Ben Hecht and Charles Lederer,

based on a story by Eleazar Lipsky,

was released in the United States on August 13, 1947.
Music by David Buttolph.

Cast:
Victor Mature, Brian Donlevy, Coleen Gray, Richard Widmark, Taylor Holmes, Howard Smith, Karl Malden, Robert Adler, Rollin Bauer, Harry Bellaver, Dennis Bohan, Nina Borget, Susan Cabot, Alexander Campbell, Harry Carter, Dort Clark, Eva Condon, Harry Cooke, Harold Crane, Frank DeKova, James Doody, Mildred Dunnock, Arthur Foran Jr., David Fresco, Harold Gary, Don Giovanni, Marilee Grassini, James Charles Heard, Eda Heinemann, Lou Herbert, Herbert Holcombe, Arthur Holland, Harry Kadison, Robert Karnes, Ronald King, Arthur Kramer, John Kullers, Harry Landers, Perc Launders, Franklyn Lenthall, Paul Lilly, Pat Malone, Iris Mann, John Marley, Gregg Martell, Charles McClelland, Norman McKay, Richard Midgley, Carl Milletaire, Millard Mitchell, Mary Morrison, Consuela O'Connor, Gloria O'Connor, William O'Leary, Wendell K. Phillips, Yvonne Rob, Stephen Roberts, Anthony Ross, Mel Ruick, Jack Rutherford, Lee Sanford, Bernard Sell, George Shelton, Irene Shirley, J. Scott Smart, A. George Smith, John Stearns, Richard Taber, Victor Thorley, Lawrence Tiernan, Tito Vuolo, Milton Wallace, Jesse White, Bill Zuckert.

Recommended reading - In a Lonely Place (1947):

In a Lonely Place (1947).

By Dorothy B. Hughes.

Published by NYRB Classics.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 1681371472

ISBN-13: 978-1681371474

Description:

“In a Lonely Place blasted my mind open to new ways of reading.” – Sarah Weinman, Los Angeles Review of Books.

Los Angeles in the late 1940s is a city of promise and prosperity, but not for former fighter pilot Dix Steele.  To his mind nothing has come close to matching “that feeling of power and exhilaration and freedom that came with loneness in the sky.” He prowls the foggy city night – bus stops and stretches of darkened beaches and movie houses just emptying out – seeking solitary young women. His funds are running out and his frustrations are growing. Where is the good life he was promised? Why does he always get a raw deal? Then he hooks up with his old Air Corps buddy Brub, now working for the LAPD, who just happens to be on the trail of the strangler who’s been terrorizing the women of the city for months...

Written with controlled elegance, Dorothy B. Hughes’s tense novel is at once an early indictment of a truly toxic masculinity and a twisty page-turner with a surprisingly feminist resolution. A classic of golden age noir, In a Lonely Place also inspired Nicholas Ray’s 1950 film of the same name, starring Humphrey Bogart.

“Crime was never Hughes’s interest, evil was, and to be evil, for her, is to be intolerant of others... With her poetic powers of description, she makes that evil a sickness in the mind and a landscape to be surveyed.” – Christine Smallwood, The New Yorker’s Page-Turner Blog.

“A tour de force laying open the mind and motives of a killer with extraordinary empathy. The structure is flawless, and the scenes of postwar LA have an immediacy that puts Chandler to shame. No wonder Hughes is the master we keep turning to.” – Sara Paretsky.

Born on this day – Stuart Gordon:

Stuart Gordon

Director

Writer

August 11, 1947 – March 24, 2020

Born on this day – Alexandra Hay:

Alexandra Hay

Actress

July 24, 1947 – October 11, 1993

Credits:

Another Time, Another Place (1989); Der kurze Brief zum langen Abschied (1978); The One Man Jury (1978); That Girl from Boston (1975); Police Story (1975); The Streets of San Francisco (1974); How Come Nobody's on Our Side? (1974); The F.B.I. Story: The FBI Versus Alvin Karpis, Public Enemy Number One (1974); The Manhunter (1974); Kojak (1974); How to Seduce a Woman (1974); Thriller (1973); The Screaming Woman (1972); The Virginia Graham Show (1972); The Merv Griffin Show (1971); 1,000 Convicts and a Woman (1971); The Love Machine (1971); Dan August (1970); Love, American Style / Love and Mr. Nice Guy (1970); The Joan Rivers Show (1970); The Steve Allen Show (1969); The Greatest Mother of Them All (1969); Mission: Impossible (1969); CBS Playhouse (1969); Model Shop (1969); The Dating Game (1969); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1969); The 25th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1968); Skidoo (1968); How Sweet It Is! (1968); Star Spangled Salesman (1968); The Ambushers (1967); Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967); The Monkees (1967); The Joey Bishop Show (1967).