For those of you who are not Facebook habitues, I wanted to post a link about the upcoming Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival next week 13-16 May in Palm Springs at the Camelot Theatres. It is our tenth anniversary and with a line up of rare films and guest stars such as Ernest Borgnine, June Lockhart, Ann Robinson, Julie Garfield and Tommy Cook, this year's fest will be landmark event. Hope to see you there!

Shortly after relocating to the far reaches of the western San Fernando Valley, I came across this sign while driving home one day.  Was this street named after Francis Lederer, actor?  Of course, it was.  It must have been fate and a collective touch of native soil that brought us together.

My awareness of Lederer began at a young age. After viewing Return of Dracula (1958) on local N.Y. television, I firmly believed that the Czech-born thespian was the real Count Dracula and Bela Lugosi was well... Bela Lugosi. Sorry about that all you devoted Lugosiphiles.

While resolving that I will not be at the screenings of Red Light and Walk a Crooked Mile at Noir City in San Francisco this Thursday because work beckons, my thoughts turned to...

The Noir City opener this weekend in San Francisco

A better weekend of darkness could not be imagined! After the opening night double header of Pitfall-one of the seminal film noirs, IMHO and Larceny on Friday, Saturday brought the debut of the restored print of Cry Danger (funded by the Film Noir Foundation, btw) followed by another Bill Bowers scribed jewel, The Mob. The Cry Danger screening was special. Not only was this underrated film in spectacular shape thanks to the stellar efforts of the UCLA restoration team, I brought my pal, Richard Erdman up to the Castro Theater to share in the good vibes. Dick has the best part in the film as a smartass drunken sidekick to Dick Powell. He shared a dirty joke and several yarns about the film on stage with Eddie Muller after receiving a standing ovation from an appreciative 1200 people. Really a special evening. In between it was enjoying the wonderful cuisine and hospitality with close friends that makes San Francisco one of my all time favorite burgs. I am looking forward to returning to the Noir City this weekend to introduce screenings of Armored Car Robbery and Inside Job. Open up those Golden Gates!