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The world of film noir was filled with would-be artists: down-on-their-luck musicians, writers, and painters. They were looking for that one big break, but there are no good breaks in film noir. Take the case of Chris Cross in Scarlet Street (1945)...
In their own way, June and Art were would-be artists, too. June studied fashion design and illustration; Art studied fine art at night while working as a grocery clerk by day. Fortunately, Art never fell into the clutches of two-timing grifters like Kitty March (Joan Bennett) and Johnny Prince (Dan Duryea).
Here's today's letter from Art:
Edward G. Robinson as Chris Cross, a bank clerk and amateur painter, who falls for a particularly conniving femme fatale, played by Joan Bennett. |
Friday, February 17, 1950
20 Cooper Street
Dear June,
I don’t know how it is in the city but it’s cleared up beautifully here. It looks like spring outside. I had a very interesting art class last night. I didn’t get home till almost 11:00. Partida and her family have gone to Florida and her new assistant is running
things at the art school. His name
things at the art school. His name
is Arthur Secunda – that sounds like an artist’s name, doesn’t it?
Yesterday we took inventory at Roulston’s and it kept us very busy.
I didn’t do anything much this afternoon – just rode down to the ocean and took it easy. Tonight I plan to work on my art for the course. Maybe I’ll go to bed early. By the way, I got my insurance dividend check today from the government. It will come in handy. I didn’t expect it for another month.
Well until I see the sweetest girl in the
world again, I love you, darling.
Lots of love,
Art
(Tomorrow – walking in the city after midnight.)
© 2011 Lee Price
this movie made me so anxious while I was watching it!
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