Devil in a Blue Dress

Devil in a Blue Dress

v     Introduction

·         Devil in a Blue Dress is a film which goes back to the year 1948 with color. The protagonist Ezekiel Rawlins (Easy), an African-American veteran, finds himself unemployed after he is fired from his job for racial issues. In his attempt to make some money to pay for his mortgage and bills, Easy accepts a task to what it seems to be a simple searching for a “white” woman named Daphne Monet.

v     Traditional noir

·         Voice-over narration: Easy is the character that drives the narrative forward and also the voice that tells the story.

·         Story-line based in a war veteran: As Easy narrates in two different scenes in the film:

§         “I first came out to Los Angeles…when I got home from the war in Europe with $300 in my pocket and the G.I. bill”

§         I had seen dead bodies before. Cold, hard, still as concrete. Their eyes wide open, staring up at nothing…”

·         Ambiguous protagonist: Even though Easy knows his job as a detective it does not look correct, he accepts it by the need for money. As same as Walter in Double Indemnity (1944) when he accepts to do some illegal modifications to Mr. Dietrichson's insurance to later have his part of the policy’s money. Moreover, even though Easy is confronting different situations that are telling him that everything is going wrong, like Coretta’s and Richard’s McGee murders, he continues his searching for Daphne.

·         Overwhelming situations:

§         He is driving in a white neighborhood, with a white woman in the middle of the night which it is a dangerous situation for a black man because of the anxiety racism in the late '40s.

§         Easy has less than 24 hours to find a culprit for the two murders, Coretta and McGee, otherwise he will be charged for them even though his innocence.

v     The film noir is updated to neo noir:

·         It is not just updated with color to the film images but also to the characters. As David Ansen and Tara Weingarten mention in their article “The Neo-Noir '90s” that “film noir was only with Anglo characters and from their point of view” (71). Neo noir in this film updates such concept, where the African-American is the race that prevails in the film as well as the issues that are this film confronts belong to the black community.

§         The role of the detective is play by a black character: Easy

§         Daphne is a mulatto and in some way she is rejected by both of her communities: black and white.

·         Femme fatale, Daphne Monet, she is not the classic or modern femme fatal that kill because of her awful thoughts. If she does it, it is because is way to protect herself from the wrapped world which has taboos about her origin.

·         Film with a story-line based in late '40s and produce in the year of 1995 which deal with the anxieties of both periods: racism.

v     Sex and Violence

·         The sex and violence elements were kind of taboo in the era of film noir. Although, they were part of classic noir, they were not explicit as the way they are in neo noir. In the article “The Dark Past Keeps Returning: Gender Themes in Neo-Noir” Heather Fireman notes that “the Production Code allows filmmakers in the era of ‘40s and ‘50s to show on-screen murder or  extramarital activities if they were castigate” Something that the neo noir filmmakers do not need to deal with.

§         Although Devil in a Blue Dress it has only one scene about sex between Easy and Coretta, this scene is explicit.

§         When Easy enters into the room, to be interrogated about Coretta’s murder in the police station, one of the walls has blood on it letting the audience know that something else besides interviews have been taking place there. This suggestion is proved when Easy is literally beaten by one of the cops.

§         Mouse appears in his first scene pointing out Frank Green’s head with a gun when he (Frank) literally is cutting Easy’s neck. Easy tries to talk to Frank about Daphne, but he does not obtain any answer from him. And all of a sudden Mouse shoots Frank in his shoulder.

Home Owner

Alleva, Richard. "Denzel Washington: Home owner." Commonweal 122.19 (1995): 16. Religion and Philosophy Collection. EBSCO. Web. May 03 2011.

     It is the mix of races one of the elements that updated classic noir, and it brings with it different anxieties. The minority of that time, African-American, suffer the anxiety of corrupt cops.  Alleva, Richard details the scene how one of the cops take advantage of its power to beat Rawlins during the interrogatory about Coretta's murder. Even though, the other cop tries to be fair about the situation it is clear that the abused of power against black people is present. The way that Easy responds a such act is to confirm that he is not someone who leaves his hand tide-up or do nothing when police want to be over power. Moreover, Alleva focus the way the director of  the movie, Carl Franklin, represent Easy's home. The light color, mellow, denotes that he is pacific and it is his place of rest; although, the he needs to deal with police every day. Therefore, the advantage of color movie is that we, as audience, can have a better idea of that character's moods. Something that it could not be appreciate in the classic noir, where the white and black colors represented more the bad side that the good side. Alleva comments how  Easy show us that he does not give up quickly as the rest of his neighbors do. They are immigrating to other stated because of the lack of work as well as the corruption by the cops. Easy take cares of his house; although, he is unemployment and has a mortgage to pay.

Gates, Philippa. "Always a Partner in Crime." Journal of Popular Film & Television 32.1 (2004): 20-29. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 3 May 2011

     In her article "Always Partner in Crime" Philippa Gates points out, "The detective film is concerned with a hero who triumphs over injustice and evil; however, as in the majority of mainstream American film, that hero is most often white" (1). Therefore, the participation of the black detective to films is a element that updated classic noir.  "Devil in a Blue Dress" gives to its audience a clear issue that the community has had and has: racism. As Gates comments "The film is thus a successful revisit to the noir form because, not only does the film authentically re-create the postwar mood, but it also applies it to a more contemporary issue" (26). Therefore, the present of African-American characters in films brings with it the problems that they confront in a daily basis. Easy in his intent to make money with easy task, as a detective, he finds himself involved in a case with two murders. Another element that Gates comments is that "Devil in a Blue Dress" film brings the present of family as a background as well as colors, but is not just the color to distinguish from black and white; is the participation of its character's emotions as community that classic noir does not have (26). Even though, the concept of family apparently is not present, is around Easy's house where family with their kids are seen what it looks to be that not only Easy suffers repression from cops. Gates finishes his article commenting that "Devil in a Blue Dress" step-up with a white woman as a partner of a black detective.


Guerrero, Ed. "Devil in a Blue Dress." Cineaste 22.1 (1996): 38. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 3 May 2011

     As Ed Guerrero implies in his article "Devil in a Blue Dress" Although L.A. in 1948 is clearly Raymond Chandler's turf, and both Mosley and Franklin pay ample homage to him, this noir journey is definitely viewed through the prism of the black experience." Indeed, is the African-American race which prevails in "Devil in a Blue Dress" film that together with its customs it is clear that classic noir is updated. Black actors are seen playing most of the roles from the neighborhoods to the smoky bars. Cops and politics,both corrupts, and some of the gangster are represent by the Anglo race.

Lefebure, Leo D. "Devil in a Blue Dress: Trouble up to the top." Christian Century 113.17 (1996): 551. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 3 May 2011.

     In his article "Devil in Blue Dress: Trouble up to the Top", Leo D. Lefebure based his commentaries in how biological origin and color skin are a barrier for any individual at the time of post ward. Lefebure points out
"The color line restricts all lives, not only African-Americans but even a rich, white politician who can become mayor but cannot choose his own spouse." Colored people are not the only community who suffered because of their origin,the Anglo race in some way pay the consequences to have a relationship with the. Todd Carter who is running for mayor of Los Angeles renounces to married to Daphne because she is part black. He is afraid confronting his family and society about her fiance's origin. Neo-noir films are characteristic for the anxieties that post ward brings with it. Police makes difference between races, as Lefebure comments about the murders that Easy is confronting. In the first murder, Coretta, it does not look to be important to the police since the victim is black. The other one, Daphne's brother, is a white man, so the police has more interest to resolve it. Black community live from  the segregation of job opportunities to lack of protection from cops.

A Dress for an Evil

    

     Devil in a Blue Dress movie is connected to the classic noir with the elements of femme fatale and ambiguous protagonist at the same time is updated with mix of races, informal language and sex without restrictions; therefore, can be considered as neo-noir style. Its protagonist, Ezekiel Rawlins is unemployment and desperately to find pay his mortgage and bills accepts a job from a man, De Witt Albright ,that he does not know. However, he trust on him because one of his closest friend recommends him to Albright. Easy's task is to look for a girl named Daphne Monet. Without information, besides of her name, The first step that Easy, Ezekiel, takes is to go a clandestine bar where only a African-America people are allow. Without information, besides of her name, he starts looking for Monet asking to his friends.  One of his acquaintance is Coretta that it looks that she knows more than Monet's name. All the time that they are in the bar Coretta flirts to Easy as a good neo noir's female. Easy together to his drunk friends leave the bar after midnight. He takes Coretta and her boyfriend to their home. After that he leaves his friend in the bed, he has sex with Coretta and is able to obtain information about Daphne. The next day Easy start looking for his prize, Monet, and finds out the Coretta is assassinated hours after he leaves her home. Everything looks that Easy kills Coretta. He continues his journey to find Monet and another crime is his way, Monet's brother. Again Easy is related to a crime that he does not commit. The whole story is develop is a racism environment and with a man that just is looking to pay his mortgage and bills.

Gates, Philippa. "Always a Partner in Crime." Journal of Popular Film & Television

     (2004): 20-29. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 15 Apr. 2011.

Guerrero, Ed. "Devil in a Blue Dress." Cineaste 22.1 (1996): 38. Academic Search Premier.

     EBSCO. Web. 15 Apr. 2011.

Johnson, Brian D. "Femme fatale revisited." Maclean's 107.10 (1994): 58. Academic Search

     Premier. EBSCO. Web. 15 Apr. 2011.

Lefebure, Leo D. "Devil in a Blue Dress: Trouble up to the top." Christian Century 113.17

     (1996): 551. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 15 Apr. 2011.

Wesley, Marilyn C. "Power and Knowledge in Walter Mosley's Devil in a Blue Dress." African

    American Review 35.1 (2001): 103. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 15 Apr.

2011.

     The story that can be classify as neo-noir isThe Girl who Kissed Barnaby Jones; even though, not the all descriptions of noir are present in such novel, is which has a better idea of what noir mode is.
     The Girl who Kissed Barnaby novel, has the elements such as the femme fatale, Cherie, the male protagonist, Tate, and the scenario of a of sex. Tite is draged by Cherie to a case where crime is involve. As a neo noir femme fatale she does not need any aid to accomplish the crime rather she needs help getting rid of the body. Cherie in one way knows that she is attracted to Tate, so she calls him and let him know that she needs his help.Tate goes to the place where she is and after to have a quick sex, she let him know her real intentions.She has sex with him in the house where she kills a man; therefore, in certain way, he is implicated in the case. Even though, Tate tryes to call the police, Cherie does not allow him. They get in a fight until Tate decides to help her with the body. Toward the end of the story become funny the way that Tate steps on Gary's corpse and kick Cherie buttocks, so she trip up and her heels do not help her too much with it.
      I like how this novel has some neo noir elements as well as some funny parts that I did not see before.

In contrast with The Hour When The Ship Comes In, that the whole story I was confuse.  The protagonist was a gangster or something that took him to be in a place where criminal violence was involve.

That lines make me to remind when I did not know the meaning of noir and

Maybe in such way the tale is noir because crime is present, but I did not recognize more than that.
 

     The protagonists of neo-noir either in The Kidnapper Bell and City of Commerce are characterized by:



     Male who put himself in dangerous situations; even, when it is not necessary.



     Moreover, the protagonists are married people where the wife's role is not clear. In one hand, The Kidnapper Bell, Jim's wife is not mention in the all story just towards the end of the story. In the other hand, City of Commerce, the wife persona is mentioned in the beginning of the tale. However, it does not clear that she is the wife until almost of the end of the story where he is worried for her life. Sex is involved in this type of story but does not have deep participation.

 

     In the novel of The Kidnapper Bell, written by Jim Pascoe, its protagonist, Jim, involves himself in a crime that he could prevent.Even though, Jim is a married guy, he looks for sex with somebody else rather than with his wife. Waiting for his date in a bar something is dancing in his head: how long has it been without sex? Moreover, he is pondering that this date it will be just sex. However, his thoughts are far away about what it will happen. His date arrives but only to takes him to crime scene. Although, he can can look for the right help, like calling the police, he decides to do foolish things. In the last scenario, he arrives at home where his wife is sleeping, with two murders behind them and wearing the clothes that belong to a death man.

 

     In City of Commerce tale, written by Neal Pollack, Nick is the protagonist, a man who enjoys gambling.
Nick plans to play at the casino that is at Commerce city by one hour, but after he is making profit he plays passed  2am. When he decides to retire from the game,the problems begin. He is knock down by somebody from the casino and later wakes up in a cheap hotel. Around with people that just are gambling, he is apparently force to play until the next day. Nick escapes from his kidnappers and in his way back home he realizes that he does not have his wallet. Worry that maybe them can hurt his wife.At the end of the story, Nick starts think about more money and gambling instead of his wife. 

Crime=Noir

   

     In their article of “Towards a Definition of Film Noir” Borde and Chaumeton comment “It is the presence of crime which gives film noir its most constant characteristic.” Therefore, in order a novel is considered as noir needs to have a crime scene.
      In both stories murder is present. In one hand is The Method, where the female protagonist, Holly, accomplished the crime poisoning Richard. Richard who plays the role of male protagonist thought that he had the perfect piece to carry out his plan: Kill Matiah Mckay, an old actress from the '70s. Richard had a kind of obsession relationship with Mariah which ended up in a restraining order against him. Such action goaded him to revenge on her. Therefore, when she met Holly, a waitress of a trattoria, he involved her with his game of lover and seduction methods to realize such revenge. Which it was the poison to kill Mariah it was the posion which took away to Richard from the picture.

     In the other hand is Morocco Juntion; despite of a crime is not achieve, instead it is a suicide which is relevant in that story. Mrs. Davis apparently decide to take away her life after she knew that her extramarital son has been killed. She used the money from her jewelry to pay her son school. And in her intent to avoid her family knows the absent of her chams, she sent them to be made.So she had been wearing fake ornaments all the time that she was alive. Moreover, when her son, Wintson, was talking with Minerva about his mom funeral he said "You know, she always insisted she be buried with all her jewelry. She made such a big deal out of it." (Morrison 138) Minerva found out the Eloise did not want that her family would be embarrased for her adolescence mistake. So being her buried with her false ornaments would deliver her loves one from the humiliation.

                                                          

  

     Apparently, in both novels a femme fatale is not present, instead in The Method, it seemed to be a role the opposite of femme fatale, a male fatale. He was sexi and attracted his prey with a lust relationship. However, this victim was more smart than he thought. Moreover, in Morocco Juntion, Minerva with her experience comes plays the role of detective.

More than white...

     Neo-noir films started in the early '50s, World War II had being done and people were fighting with themselves to find sense in their deformed life. The war allowed women to participate in tasks that were classified just for the opposite sex; therefore, it begun to being confuse the roles of men and women in life. In the article of  "The Dark Past Keeps Returning:Gender Themes in Neo-Noir" its author comments "Traditionally masculinity is defined as the opposite of femininity. If the definition of femininity changes and includes aspects of the masculine, what does masculinity become?"(Fireman).



Such situation gave to woman, known as the weaker sex, the power to not longer be the tail but the head. What it can be appreciated in both stories that a woman is at front of the setting as same as the classic noir; however, in one of the stories, Dangerous Days, Athena is who takes place to commit the crime, something that it did not happen with noir. In contrast with Midnight in Silicon Alley, where Chen's wife is who is driving the crime without being at the picture scene. In addition,  Fireman borrows the quote "The shallow emptiness of a culture of consumption is reflected in an obsession with labels and brand names as more important than the products themselves; image is all-important in the postmodernist era" (Burke) The type of life style can be see it if the lines of Midnight in Silicon Alley, when Chen is with his hijackers, he is imaging that even though his family will be OK, his financial situation will not be the same. His spouse is accustamed to a well-off life " A big house. A club membership. A fancy cars" (90). Thus, in that type of film is most important what they have outside that what they have inside. Lack of emotions it can easily be observed.



     Moreover, the way that neo-noir plays the role of the femme fatale is quite bit different than classic noir. By example, Dangerous Days, talks about the character of Benita, a gorgeous woman with a little bit of dangerous in her style of life. For instant, it can looks that she is the femme fatale, the way Cravitz describes her  "She was statuesque, voluptuous." (67). Also, he does a reference that when he met her it feels like a voltage is running in all his body. Her beauty and present  makes the readers think that she a femme fatale.
Later on with the persona of Athena in the setting, it is understood that she is the real femme fatala. Not emotions at all, but if she needs to act with love she does it just to accomplish her plans. Femme fatale in this
novel she does not merely has the desire to kill, she performs the murder without necessary being in plot with a male.
     That characteristic as well the informal language, religious, interracial, and technology are some elements that distinguished neo-noir from classic noir. Informal language trait is more seen in the novel of Dangerous Days more than Midnight in Silicon Alley, where the participation of Latin characters are involve.The story is based in gangsters, Latino and black people, allowing the conversation to be in cut form. By example, when Cash is talking with Cravitz about that he needs his support to make a business with Benita their conversation is "Well then,c'mon,boy. I done took care of y'friend. No I needs you t'take care of some messy bi'ness, f'me." (61) That type of form it ca be tired if the reader are not accustom to such language.



 Moreover, the way that the sex is expressed in such tale is broad different from the classic noir. Obviously that the time when noir novels were written did not allow to be too explicitly about it. At the same, it is a way where a religious relation exist in the neo-noir mode. After, Calzone's funeral Cravitz goes to a church and while he is there he drops a $100 bill into a purse which belong to a lady who is praying there. He has a kind of a promise to himself to visit that church and has his conversation with a saint, as well as he try to do a good deed for somebody everyday.

                                                    
Different races are involved in neo-noir crime, Latinos, African-America, Chicanos, Asians, etc. where in the classic noir the white race was the only one which participated. Moreover, technology is seen in this type of stories. The access to TVs,cell phone, and computers is the up-dated of film neo-noir. Cravitz found who killed his friend, Calzone, so he called Vargas to let him know about it. The author of such book commented how the tech was present. Meanwhile,  Midnight in Silicon Alley, author mentioned the technology "In the rearwiew mirror, Chen watched his computer chip factory shrink to a snowball panorama, then disappear"(Hamilton 65).



It is not just the color which makes a gap between neo-noir and the classic noir. The participation of more than one race, advanced equipment, the lacking of flashback, among other elements created the new taste of noir; however, the aspect of murder involved in the narrative is what classify a film as a noir.