Bernard Tavernier's "'Round Midnight" is a remarkable cinematic achievement. It is about an alcoholic saxophone player's struggle to maintain sobriety with the assistance of French jazz fan who idolizes him. The music is exceptional, the cinematography is good and acting is naturalistic. Is it a film noir movie? Maybe not, but it is still well worth seeing.

"The Crimson Canary" is an obscurity from Universal Studios. This "B" film quickie featured a cast composed of many familiar character actors such as Steven Geray, John Kellogg, Steve Brodie, John Litel, Lois Collier, and the singing sensation, Sue, from the the Break of Dawn Club and future Hollywood hash slinger, Claudia Drake. There was no cameo appearance by Tom Neal.

The director of "The Crimson Canary" was John Hoffman, who spent most of his career as a film editor. He directed "Strange Confession," an Inner Sanctum Mystery that starred Lon Chaney, J. Carroll Naish, and Brenda Joyce. This curious film was rarely seen for many years due to litigation.

Tomorrow, the festival concludes its week long run. I received a bit of restoration news that is exciting. The Film Noir Foundation is preparing to restore "The Great Flamarion."