JANUARY 24-FEBRUARY 2, 2025 

NOIR CITY 22

There will be a distinctly feminine slant to the proceedings at NOIR CITY 22 running January 24–February 2, 2025, at Oakland's Grand Lake Theatre. The lineup of classic films, featuring 24 movies over ten days and nights, shines a spotlight on women whose cinematic legacy is entwined with the rise of film noir.

Many of this year’s films star the six actresses profiled in Muller’s 2002 book Dark City Dames: The Wicked Women of Film Noir, which is being reissued in April 2025 in a newly revised and expanded edition. Jane Greer, Marie Windsor, Audrey Totter, Evelyn Keyes, Coleen Gray, and Ann Savage are the core cadre of women featured in this year’s program, which includes many of their signature films, including, respectively, Out of the Past (1947), The Narrow Margin (1952), Tension (1949), The Prowler (1951), The Killing (1956), and Detour (1945).

In addition to those acclaimed favorites, the program also highlights films starring nine other actresses notable for their performances in crime films of the era: Joan Bennett, Peggie Castle, Rhonda Fleming, Marsha Hunt, Ella Raines, Ruth Roman, Jan Sterling, Claire Trevor, and Helen Walker. (Not coincidentally, the expanded edition of Muller’s book includes new profiles of these women.)

“One thing I’ve learned after doing programs for twenty-five years,” Eddie Muller says, “is that you need to circle back and re-show the classics, the bedrock of the genre. Some of these films are well-known to the hardcore—but for younger fans, who may have been in grade school when I started doing festivals, this will be the first time they’ve seen many of these movies … and certainly the first time on a big screen with an enthusiastic audience.”

Muller notes that extra effort was made this year to secure as many 35mm prints as possible. “It’s harder than ever to show film prints, so it feels sort of valedictory.” Fourteen of the festival’s 24 offerings are film prints, he noted. “It's remarkable to realize that when I began these festivals, everything was on film. No digital versions existed. Now, this might be the first—and last—time younger viewers will see a 35mm film print.”

“I’m very enthused about this year’s program,” Muller concludes, “because I had friendships with many of the women we’re celebrating and I’ll have plenty of stories to share—as well as being able to see these women again in all their glamorous glory.”

NOIR CITY 22 Passports

Secure your spot at NOIR CITY 22 with an all-access PASSPORT for $200. This all‑access festival pass grants the bearer:

✻ Entry to all films during the 10-day NOIR CITY 22 film festival

✻ Separate passport holders' queue for early admittance to the theater for all shows

✻ $40 savings over individually purchased double-feature tickets.

PURCHASE PASSPORT

THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT

Proceeds from the NOIR CITY festival help fund the FNF's restoration and preservation efforts year-round. Remember — the NOIR CITY Passport makes a perfect holiday gift for the film lover in your family, too!

NOTE  NOIR CITY Passports are non-transferable. All sales are final. Patrons MUST arrive 30 minutes before show time to be guaranteed a seat!

2025 NOIR CITY ACCOMMODATIONS

Courtyard by Marriott Oakland Downtown

If you're an out-of-towner looking for lodging in Oakland, the Courtyard by Marriott Oakland Downtown is offering discounted room rates for NOIR CITY 22 festival guests. For the dates Thursday, January 23, through Sunday, February 2, you can get a room with a King bed or two Queen beds for $149/night plus tax. Located at 988 Broadway in downtown Oakland, the hotel is 2 miles from the Grand Lake Theatre.

⚠ To take advantage of this special $149/night room, your booking must be made on or before Friday, December 20, 2024.

NOTE  For a stay of seven or more days, the Courtyard is offering a rate of $139/night + tax. For a long-term stay, please contact the hotel at 510-625-8282 and mention the NOIR CITY 22 special festival rate.

RESERVE YOUR ROOM

☇ DIRECTIONS TO THE GRAND LAKE THEATRE

All you need to know about the NOIR CITY Film Festival ↓