DISC 1

The Sniper (1952)
Filmed in San Francisco, this Stanley Kramer production is one of the earliest studies of a murderous psychopath who kills randomly and without motive, making it almost impossible for the police to track him down. This noir pits the rationalism of law and psychiatry against the irrationality of post-traumatic stress and compulsive homicide. Adolphe Menjou, Arthur Franz and Marie Windsor star under the taut direction of Edward Dmytryk.

BONUS FEATURES:

• Commentary with Author Eddie Muller
• Featurette: Martin Scorsese on The Sniper
• Theatrical Trailer  

DISC 2

The Big Heat (1953)
Ruthless criminals, a dedicated honest cop, sultry women and a gripping plot - all the elements of a classic police action-drama are here in full force. Police Sergeant Bannion (Glenn Ford) is investigating the apparent suicide of a corrupt cop, then is suddenly ordered to stop - and The Big Heat is on. Driven to unravel the mystery, Bannion continues probing until an explosion meant for him, kills his wife. He resigns from the force and soon learns that behind it all is the powerful underworld led by Mike Lagana (Alexander Scourby) and his cold-blooded henchman, Vince Stone (Lee Marvin). When Stone's girl Debby (Gloria Grahame) makes a play for Bannion, Stone disfigures her face. In revenge, she tells all she knows. Ultimately, Bannion and Stone square off in a life-or-death confrontation.

BONUS FEATURES:

• Featurette: Martin Scorsese on The Big Heat**
• Featurette: Michael Mann on The Big Heat**
• Vintage Advertising##
• Theatrical Trailer

NOTE:

• ** Part of Flim Noir Set and is on Rental.
• ## Not on Rental. Only on Individual Release for Purchase.

DISC 3

5 Against the House (1955)
A quartet of Korean war vets—aided by a sizzling Kim Novak—plan a “perfect” crime - robbing a casino in Reno, Nevada. What starts out as a prank becomes deadly serious, especially for the one vet with psychopathic tendencies. Noir specialist Phil Karlson directs Novak, Guy Madison, Brian Keith, Kerwin Matthews, Alvy Moore and William Conrad.

BONUS FEATURE:

• Original Theatrical Trailer

DISC 4

The Lineup (1958)
This double narrative follows two criminals involved in a dope smuggling scheme and the police who follow their trail of violence and death across the city of San Francisco. Making brilliant use of space and architecture, the film features a wildly disorienting car chase that culminates on the then-unfinished Embarcadero Freeway – literally, a road going nowhere. Don Siegel directs Eli Wallach as the cold-blooded hit man, with Warner Anderson and Emile Meyer as the cops hunting him down. Richard Jaeckel and Robert Keith co-star.

BONUS FEATURES:

• Commentary with Authors Eddie Muller and James Ellroy
• The Influence of Noir with Christopher Nolan
• Original Theatrical Trailer

DISC 5

Murder by Contract (1958)
Vince Edwards stars as a hired assassin whose latest “assignment” (Caprice Toriel) is about to testify against the mob. But this particular target is not so easy to get at. So he waits…and waiting gives the assassin what he needs least: time to think. The lean, efficient direction by Irving Lerner (City of Fear) is complimented by the stark black and white cinematography of Lucien Ballard (The Wild Bunch).

BONUS FEATURES:

• Featurette: Martin Scorsese on Murder by Contract
• Original Theatrical Trailer