| I have not seen this show, but I must take exception with the way the critic seemingly brushes aside the entire genre of film noir as cliched and worthless without camera tricks. The real inspiration for film noir was the work of great Jacobean playwrights like John Ford and John Webster. James M. Cain, the author of the original novel Double Indemnity, was an exceptional American writer. Personally, I admire these writers a lot more than the authors of City of Angels, a musical I found overrated and trying. The biggest issue with a recreation of a classic film, for me, is getting stage actors who can compete with great performances like those of Barbara Stanwyck, Fred Macmurray and Edward G. Robinson, available for all to see. Ah well - I heartily wish I could see this production and compare. |