A long overdue fourth edition of Film Noir: An Encyclopaedic Reference to the American Style co-edited by Alain Silver, Elizabeth Ward, James Ursini, and Robert Porfirio (3rd Edition 1992) is slated for April 2010 and can be pre-ordered for US$26.40 from Amazon. This classic reference has been completely revised, expanded, redesigned, and retitled The Film Noir Encyclopedia.
I have found the third edition an invaluable reference on American film noir and neo-noir, though the authors’ insistence that film noir is a purely US phenomenon leaves some large gaps. Alain Silver’s reviews are superior to those of the other editors and can be wonderfully enlightening. I hope two common weaknesses in the previous editions, significant errors in plot outlines and pedestrian and over-blown reviews by some co-editors, will be remedied in the new edition.
FilmsNoir.Net 
Hi! Tony,
I know what book will added on my Shelfari next…(Great noir colour combo…red and black!)
…The jacket cover is just screaming out to my…“Shelfari” add me to your shelf… I hear you, I hear you already!
Thanks, for the heads-up!
Take care!
DeeDee
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Yes DeeDee, it is a great cover, so redolent of noir. Reminds me of that graat poster for The Killers:
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The above is an excellent book of seminal essays especially violence and The Bitch Goddess . Looking forward to the upcoming read avidly also.Another excellent essay on British Film Noir. Film Noir Reader II
Also I thought interesting (Shearer(45)) the idea of Noir as cathartic. And his mention that newsreels of atrocities proliferated at this time and the public desired an “escape” into violence.
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Great news! Thanks for the heads up.
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Ed’s book looks great too Tony, but the Film Noir encyclopedia is simply a must. I will b eordering my copy ASAP!
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“I have found the third edition an invaluable reference on American film noir and neo-noir, though the authors’ insistence that film noir is a purely US phenomenon leaves some large gaps…”
Tony, I must admit that is kind of “scary”…What? “The belief by Silver, and Ursini,that film noir is a purely US phenomenon.”
I don’t agree with their “conclusion” at all…
…period.
DeeDee 😉
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I’ve always been a fan of film noir but my interest deepened as I researched my novel SO DARK THE NIGHT. This encyclopedia looks like a gorgeous new addition to noir scholarship and it’s on my wishlist. One book that was invaluable to me as a resource was Nicholas Christopher’s SOMEWHERE IN THE NIGHT. Mr. Christopher is a superb novelist and poet and his treatment of noir movies and themes is well-thought out and respectful. LOVED that book…
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Hi Cliff. Thanks for the recommendation for SOMEWHERE IN THE NIGHT. I will seek it out.
Congratulations on the publication of SO DARK THE NIGHT. Please feel free to post a buy link here.
Tony
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Tony, what a kind offer. Here’s a link to ordering info on my blog:
http://cliffjburns.wordpress.com/orders
SO DARK THE NIGHT is noir and hard-boiled and, I hope, a good read for those who think the book biz is only releasing stale, over-worked formula. The spirits of Val Lewton and James Crumley and Raymond Chandler live on.
Keep up the fine work, chum…
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