Evaluation

Scarlet Street was released 28th December 1945 having been produced and directed by Fritz Lang Productions and distributed as a universal release by Universal Pictures.

An establishing shot introduces a fairly busy rainy street at night time. This reflects the Film Noir genre as these are general settings and themes used. These techniques used automatically create a strange atmosphere and obscure feel connoting an uneasy situation. A tall blonde female walks past walking a dog, however she is wearing a dress and high heels showing her legs. This connotes that the women care about their appearance and being attractive. This follows the idea of having a seductive femme fatale. A policeman is wearing a smart sophisticated uniform and blowing a whistle to conduct traffic, this represents his authority and the respect for the police force during this era. Passers by are all wearing long trench coats and the males with bowler hats, a female is carrying an umbrella, this was also popular during this era and it emphasis the settings and weather conditions. A man and women are linking in deep conversation connoting romance, this was a popular convention of the Film Noir genre. Taxi's and expensive cars with personal drivers fill the street reflecting on the era and showing wealth. Lively, non diagetic music creates energy and excitement to the atmosphere and ambient sounds along with synchronous car sounds emphasise this and make the scene more realistic. A man with a pet monkey on a lead stands with a music box which fits in with the non diagetic music. This shows that he has authority over the monkey and uses him as a servant figure. When the man stops with the music box the non diagetic music stops introducing us to the house. A Glamorous blonde women wearing a fur coat appears out the car window to see the man with the monkey portraying a typical femme fatale in Film Noir. A driver gets out the car wearing a smart suite and hat suggesting sophistication and wealth that the women can afford her own driver. A shadow is used on the wall as the driver walks in, this is a convention of Film Noir that is often used to create a strange, queer view point to the audience. 'He's a jolly good fellow' can be heard from outside the room suggesting that a celebration is taking place or event. 'Private' is wrote on the door connoting secrecy and mystery which is a theme of general Film Noir's. As the butler opens the door we denote a long white apron and smart suite with white bow, this suggests he is waiting or working for someone, probably somebody with more authority than him. Outside the room saying 'private' a middle aged women is knitting, this shows representation of popular pass times and interests around this time and era. In the dining room a large piano is being played this shows sophistication. A wide shot denotes a large dining table with a lot of men in suits and ties sat around a table. The majority are smoking and drinking alcohol, low key lighting is also used. This creates atmosphere and gives the audience a feel for the targeted theme's, Smoking and drinking was also a normal every day to day thing in the 1940's and people were less worried about health risks and often did it by habit. When the boss(J.J) stands up everyone is quiet, this shows that they respect people with a higher authority than them. J.J then makes the comment 'You can't keep a woman waiting,' this match's the sexual representation themes in film Noir's and that woman were the more seductive characters. A close up of the 14 carat, 24 jeweled time piece that J.J gives Christopher as a 25 year service present, connotes how wealthy J.J actually is and emphasis' the idea that he is the boss and in charge who respects his employee's. A pan around the table helps to show the different emotions and how the other employee's react, this camera movement intersects with a mirror which reflects the scene in there. This matches a technique often used in Film Noir's which creates a strange obscured reflection and the idea that something is not quite right and does not follow the normal rules. Christopher also tells us, 'I never expected to own a watch like this,' and 'You're the best boss in New York City,' this emphasis' the idea that he has great respect for J.J. A wide three shot shows J.J telling Christopher to 'Have a smoke,' Christopher tells us 'I don't usually,' but J.J's comment telling him that they are made especially for him gives Christopher no choice. He feels pressured and J.J makes him feel as though it is a privilege that he has asked him, Christopher's body language shows that he is uncomfortable as he is unsure what to do with the cigarette and looks at it puzzled. The ambience chatting sound build's up the pressure and Christopher is forced to take it.