See classic Hollywood drama with Noir Nights at New Bedford Art Museum: What to know
NEW BEDFORD — Are you a fan of gumshoes? Femme fatales? Classic movies?
Well then, you're probably going to love this:
Noir Nights at the New Bedford Art Museum.
This series will be showing five classic movies of the film noir genre, featuring detectives, clients who are certainly up to no good, and just about all of the intrigue and ennui that you can handle.
You can subscribe to the series, and enjoy a noir night out each month, now until June.
The whole thing kicks off with a cocktail reception on Feb. 9, and your film ticket stubs from these screenings can be used to get a discount at a couple of New Bedford restaurants.
Here's what you need to know about Noir Nights:
Where is the New Bedford Art Museum located?
The New Bedford Art Museum is located at 608 Pleasant St.
What is film noir?
Film noir as a genre is made up of stylized crime dramas. The 1940s and 50s are a classic era for this style of film.
When do Noir Nights begin, and how long is the series?
Noir Nights kick off on Friday, Feb. 9, and there will be a screening each month, with five total films shown, through Sunday, June 9.
How much is it to subscribe to the Noir Nights film series?
A subscription to Noir Nights costs $120 for New Bedford Art Museum members, and $125 for non-members.
The subscription includes all five film screenings, and a ticket to the kick-off cocktail party reception.
Sign up for a subscription at newbedfordart.org/noir-nights.
When is the cocktail party reception?
Noir Nights kicks off with an opening night cocktail party on Friday, Feb. 9.
The cocktail hour will be held from 6 to 7 p.m., featuring light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar serving neo-noir cocktails.
What film opens the Noir Nights series?
After the cocktail reception on Feb. 9, the first film screening will take place from 7 to 9 p.m.
Noir Nights is kicking off with an all-time classic:
"The Maltese Falcon" (1941).
Starring Humphrey Bogart as private investigator Sam Spade, and Mary Astor as his femme fatale client, the film also features beloved actors Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet as villains. Spade takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar and their quest for a priceless statuette, with the stakes rising after his partner is murdered.
This film was directed by John Huston, in his directorial debut. Huston also directed other now-classic films, like "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948), and "The African Queen" (1951).
What other films will be shown for Noir Nights?
The series continues on Sunday, March 24, with the 1945 film "Mildred Pierce."
Starring Joan Crawford, the movie follows a hard-working mother inches towards disaster as she divorces her husband and starts a successful restaurant business to support her spoiled daughter. It was directed by Michael Curtiz.
On Sunday, April 14, "The Postman Always Rings Twice."
This 1946 film was directed by Tay Garnett and stars Lana Turner, John Garfield, and Cecil Kellaway. The sensuous wife of a roadside diner proprietor and a rootless drifter begin a sordid, steamy affair and conspire to murder her husband.
Catch 1957's "Sweet Smell of Success" on Sunday, May 19, starring Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, and Susan Harrison. It tells the story of powerful but unethical Broadway columnist J.J. Hunsecker, who coerces unscrupulous press agent Sidney Falco into breaking up his sister's romance with a jazz musician. This film was directed by Alexander Mackendrick.
Noir Nights wraps up on Sunday, June 9, with "Body Heat" (1981).
Starring William Hurt and Kathleen Turner, "Body Heat" is about a beautiful Florida woman who seduces a seedy lawyer, with the hidden agenda of having him kill her rich husband. It was directed by Lawrence Kasdan, of "Star Wars" writing fame, in his directorial debut.
Noir Night ticket stubs get you a restaurant discount
You can present your film ticket stubs at a couple of New Bedford restaurants, and enjoy a discount.
Present your stubs at either Cork Wine and Tapas (90 Front St.) or 222 Union Restaurant & Bar (222 Union St.), and enjoy a 10% discount off of your meal.
Learn more and subscribe
For more information, and to subscribe, visit newbedfordart.org/noir-nights.
Herald News/Taunton Daily Gazette copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at [email protected]. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Classic films screened at Noir Nights at New Bedford Art Museum