night and the city
High Contrast begins its third year of screenings on 5th September, launching its 'Made in Britain' season with film noir classic Night and The City.
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The film was directed by Jules Dassin, who was on his way into exile in Europe after being blacklisted in Hollywood as part of the anti-communist witch-hunts of the era. Dassin transplanted his noir expertise (as seen in the likes of Brute Force and The Naked City) to the streets of postwar London, bringing Richard Widmark and Gene Tierney with him to star alongside homegrown talent including Googie Withers and Francis L. Sullivan.
Widmark leads a set of strong performances as the two-bit hustler who sees London's wrestling scene, with its ties to the underworld, as his next sure-fire money-making venture.
Night and the City is a brilliant example of how shadowy characters in dimly lit streets, while rooted in American iconography, can translate anywhere across the globe in the right hands.
Gene Tierney
Richard Widmark
Jules Dassin
Gene Tierney
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Gene Eliza Tierney, born in New York on 19th November 1920, was a celebrated American film and stage actress, renowned for her beauty and captivating performances.
She began her career on Broadway before signing a contract with Columbia Pictures in 1939 and then 20th Century Fox in 1940.
Tierney's breakthrough came with her role in Laura (1944), and she was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in Leave Her to Heaven (1945).
She starred in numerous hits, including The Razor's Edge (1946), and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947) but despite her professional triumphs, she faced personal struggles with depression and mental health, which impacted her career during the 1950s.
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She withdrew from the spotlight in 1957 but returned to both film and TV sporadically during the 1960s. Her final performance was in the TV miniseries Scruples in 1980.
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Tierney passed away on 6th November 1991 at the age of 70.
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Richard Widmark
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Richard Widmark (1914–2008) was an American actor whose chilling debut as Tommy Udo in Kiss of Death (1947) earned him an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer. Born in Sunrise Township, Minnesota, Widmark studied speech at Lake Forest College before launching his career in radio and Broadway. His portrayal of Udo—a giggling psychopath—instantly made him a standout in post-war film noir.
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Throughout the 1950s and '60s, Widmark expanded his range, starring in Westerns, dramas, and war films. He played morally complex characters in Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) and The Alamo (1960), often embodying men of authority or conflicted integrity. His lean frame and intense gaze made him a compelling screen presence, whether as a villain or reluctant hero.
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Widmark worked steadily until his retirement in 1990, appearing in over 70 films and numerous television roles. Off-screen, he was known for his political engagement and long marriage to screenwriter Jean Hazlewood.
He passed away in 2008 at age 93, leaving behind a legacy of nuanced, unforgettable performances.
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Jules Dassin
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Jules Dassin (1911–2008) was an American film director, screenwriter, and actor renowned for his mastery of film noir and politically charged storytelling. Born in Middletown, Connecticut, to Russian-Jewish immigrants, he began his artistic journey in Yiddish theatre before transitioning to Hollywood, where he apprenticed under Alfred Hitchcock as an uncredited assistant director on Mrs & Mrs Smith (1941).
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Dassin’s early works as a director like Brute Force (1947) and The Naked City (1948) showcased his gritty realism and innovative style.
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Blacklisted during the McCarthy era for alleged Communist ties, Dassin moved to Europe, where he reinvented himself. His French heist film Rififi (1955), featuring a legendary 30-minute silent robbery sequence, won Best Director at Cannes and cemented his legacy. He later collaborated with Greek actress Melina Mercouri, whom he married, directing her in Never on Sunday (1960) and Topkapi (1964).
Dassin’s career was marked by resilience, artistic integrity, and a deep commitment to social justice. He died in Athens at age 96, leaving behind a legacy of cinematic brilliance and political courage