Critic Roger Ebert called it “perfection.” I call it “The Gateway Drug to Film Noir.” Nobody knew Laura was destined for success when the cast reported for duty in the spring of 1944. The early signs weren’t promising. Two weeks into the shoot, producer Otto Preminger fired director Rouben Mamoulian, scrapped his footage, revised the screenplay, redesigned the sets and costumes, and hired a new director – himself. Against all odds, Laura went from hot mess to cool classic. G

“Billy Wilder has a mind full of razor blades.” That’s William Holden’s mic-drop take on Wilder’s creative genius. Holden should know....

I am not easily shocked by movies, but the first time I saw Angel Face, I actually yelped out loud. There are two moments in the picture...