The sense you get from FILM NOIR COLLECTION VOLUME III, is that Arrow are well into their journey of discovery. The First set was an explorative trip, that found a few long lost treasures but came back. Almost fearful of returning. Then they seemed to create a plan for more and two came along at once. The last was a high light. The journey proved very fruitful. This return is the similar and something else. Similar in that it has four films. CALCUTTA, RIDE THE PINK HOUSE, OUTSIDE THE LAW and THE FEMALE ANIMAL. To each is due a review and so, here goes.
CALCUTTA (1946) sees Neale (Alan Ladd), flying cargo from India to Burma. He is a pilot with a heart, so when not flying he is investigating the murder of a close friend. His late friend’s mysterious fiancée, Virginia (Gail Russell) could know something.
So could a shady nightclub owner or even his dodgy henchman. Playing to the crowd, with a Film Noir setting more a tuned to the serial films of the age, it is well rounded by also, hard to really get overly warm to. Ladd plays Ladd. The plot is obvious and it feels a little done before (think LOST HORIZON but with a murder mystery tagged on.) Nick Pinkerton commentary is the highlight (the transfer looks nice but has a feeling that it was taken from sub prime stock.) Pinkerton is immediate, takes the film and its varied cast seriously. He might be more obvious in detail than the Jon Towlson visual essay but he is more human.
Tagline – ‘An average film, given a half decent shot…’
Ride the Pink Horse (1947) sees Army man Gagin (Robert Montgomery),wanting a rather average crime boss, dealt a blow. He murdered his friend and payback is in dollars. The kicker? He has a dubious cheque that the US government want. The problem is, he might not live to deliver it. The best film on the set, this had a stellar Criterion release so has a comparison (like another film here). What you get with the film is a wizz bang script, well directed, perfectly cast and delivered with the urgency of a mob hit. Alexandra Heller-Nicholas essay is OUTSTANDING. Unpacking the delicious details and avoiding the over clarity, temporal issues of judgement. Add to that the radio play version, and you have a very good take on the Criterion release. However, that release looks better (though I am assured it is the same transfer more or less.)
OUTSIDE THE LAW (1956) has another comparison release, this time from the great Aussie label, Imprint. 
In this Johnny Salvo, (Ray Danton), is a convict, paroled into military service. He is called to help the feds stop a counterfeiting racket that killed his army buddy. Salvo’s got some problems though. First the guys leading the outfit are tougher than boot leather. Then the cop who put him behind bars – his own father, is the one who he has to call boss. Well I loved the quality of the transfer here but it was not the same as Imprint (to my eyes). The quality comes from Kat Ellinger however. I like Kat. She has been everywhere and I did moan. But her discussion on daddy issues (and more) refreshes the film. Removing the rather tedious prism that is the treatment of Film Noir as a woman only paradigm.
And finally, THE FEMALE ANIMAL (1958). Its a film noirlodrama. More ALL ABOUT EVE knock off but with a delicious incest angle. Glamorous movie star (Hedy Lamarr) is doing more than inventing Wi-Fi. She has to cope with her alcoholic daughter (Jane Powell) and sexy movie extra (George Nader). They both want him and well he is simmer with sexual tension. What to do! Looks great. Looks stunning actually. The commentary has a lot of Hedy and details her in ever wondering ways but again its Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. Her short take is a real god send for those who like a take, askew from the usual. I hail you!
Product Features
- High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentations of four films: Calcutta, Ride the Pink Horse, Outside the Law and The Female Animal
- Original lossless mono audio on all films
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on all films
- Audio commentaries by leading scholars and critics Nick Pinkerton (Calcutta), Josh Nelson (Ride the Pink Horse), Richard Harland Smith (Outside the Law) and David Del Valle (The Female Animal)
- Brand new visual essay on Calcutta by critic Jon Towlson
- Brand new visual essays on Ride the Pink Horse and The Female Animal by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
- Brand new visual essay on Outside the Law by author and producer Kat Ellinger
- Vintage radio play version of Ride the Pink Horse, starring Robert Montgomery, Wanda Hendrix and Thomas Gomez
- Theatrical trailers
- Image galleries
- Limited edition packaging with reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Scott Saslow
- Double-sided fold-out posters for each film featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Scott Saslow
- Limited edition hardback collector’s book featuring new writing on the films by film critics Andrew Graves, Jon Towlson, Barry Forshaw and Nora MacIntyre
