NEW LIGHT ON THE OLD CITY: AMERICAN NEO-NOIR (1966-85)
A 12-WEEK ONLINE FILM STUDIES COURSE (Spring, 2023)
PRESENTED BY MATTHEW ASPREY GEAR
In this original film studies course, to be delivered via the Google Meet platform, we’ll study 16 key American films of the early Neo-Noir era (1966-1985) as well as 6 short pieces of noir writing.
The lectures will explore these films through the stories of their production and in the wider context of American society, history, and politics. We’ll also examine the careers of the major directors and writers.
Classes are limited to a maximum of 12 students. Each week I’ll give an original lecture presentation on the set film and theme and then lead an in-depth group discussion. All participants will have a chance to contribute. The only weekly homework will be to watch a film (or two) and occasionally read a short story. There will be no final exam or essay. This course is designed purely for enjoyment and discovery. All are welcome.
There are two identical weekly sessions to choose from:
Saturdays at 9am PT / 12pm ET [North America]
or
Tuesdays at 7:30pm UK time/8:30pm CET
Price per student: US$150. Contact me at matthewaspreygear@gmail.com for further information.
LECTURE PLAN
March 11 (Sat) or 14 (Tues)
Lecture 1. Experiments in Noir Aesthetics
SECONDS (1966) – John Frankenheimer [107min]
March 18 (Sat) or 21 (Tues)
Lecture 2. The Stark/Westlake Connection
POINT BLANK (1967) – John Boorman [92min]
THE OUTFIT (1973) – John Flynn [102min]
Reading: Excerpt from The Hunter (1962) by Richard Stark
* ONE WEEK BREAK *
April 1 (Sat) or 4 (Tues)
Lecture 3. American Paranoia
KLUTE (1971) – Alan J. Pakula [114min]
Reading: Short stories by Patricia Highsmith and Nedra Tyre
April 8 (Sat) or 11 (Tues)
Lecture 4. Dirty Cops and Small Time Crooks
DIRTY HARRY (1971) – Don Siegel [102min]
THE LAST RUN (1971) – Richard Fleischer [95min]
April 15 (Sat) or 18 (Tues)
Lecture 5. Guns in the Street
ACROSS 110th STREET (1972) – Barry Shear [102min]
THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE (1973) – Peter Yates [103min]
Reading: Excerpt from Mikey and Nicky screenplay by Elaine May
April 22 (Sat) or 25 (Tues)
Lecture 6. The Private Eye Revisited I.
NIGHT MOVES (1975) – Arthur Penn [100min]
Reading: Excerpt from The Last Good Kiss (1978) by James Crumley
* ONE WEEK BREAK *
May 6 (Sat) or 9 (Tues)
Lecture 7. The Private Eye Revisited II.
THE LONG GOODBYE (1973) – Robert Altman [112min]
May 13 (Sat) or 16 (Tues)
Lecture 8. The Private Eye Revisited III.
CHINATOWN (1974) – Roman Polanski [131min]
May 20 (Sat) or 23 (Tues)
Lecture 9. Is it Safe?
MARATHON MAN (1976) – John Schlesinger [125min]
May 27 (Sat) or 30 (Tues)
Lecture 10. The Late Show
THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE (1978 version) – John Cassavetes [108min]
Reading: Excerpt from Cutter and Bone (1976) by Newton Thornburg
June 3 (Sat) or 6 (Tues)
Lecture 11. Tech Noir
BLADE RUNNER: THE FINAL CUT (1982/2007) – Ridley Scott [117min]
June 10 (Sat) or 13 (Tues)
Lecture 12. Indie Noir
BLOOD SIMPLE (1984) – Joel Coen [97min]
AFTER HOURS (1985) – Martin Scorsese [97min]
MATTHEW ASPREY GEAR 
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