Force of Evil+The Guilty

Force of Evil
(1948) dir Abraham Polonsky w/John Garfield, Thomas Gomez, Marie Windsor, Howland Chamberlain, Roy Roberts, Beatrice Pearson [79 min; 35mm]
One of the most distinctive works of the original noir era, Polonsky’s directorial debut is an exposé of the New York numbers racket and a riveting tale of a fallen man’s search for his soul (John Garfield, in one of his best roles). Stylized art direction complements vivid New York location footage. Featuring an evocative score by David Raksin and memorable performances by Thomas Gomez, Marie Windsor, and Roy Roberts. Innovative and superlative in every respect. 35mm print courtesy of the UCLA Film & TV Archive

The Guilty
(1948) dir John Reinhardt w/Bonita Granville, Don Castle, Wally Cassell, Regis Toomey [71 min; 35mm]
Two war buddies, adjusting to life on the homefront, fall for twin sisters. When one sister turns up dead, the boys become the prime suspects of a dogged police inspector. Working with only three impoverished sets and almost no budget, director Reinhardt and DP Henry Sharp evoke the dreadful, dead-of-night ambiance that was the landscape of Woolrich’s nightmares. Bonita Granville portrays the angelic Linda and her man-eating twin, Estelle. This long-lost B returns in a 35mm restoration funded by the Film Noir Foundation. Film Noir Foundation restored 35mm print courtesy of the UCLA Film & TV Archive