The 2026 Noir City Chicago Film Festival concluded tonight. The first film was Basil Dearden's "All Night Long." I have seen this movie before and it is terrific in terms of its Shakespearian plot, superb music, and fine acting. Highly recommended. Patrick McGoohan and Richard Attenborough starred. Dave Brubek makes a guest appearance.

I found "A Man Named Adam" to be somewhat disappointing and, in my opinion, an unfortunate choice to end the week long festival. Sammy Davis, Jr., plays a self destructive jazz musician (how often has that been a plot element during this "Face the Music" themed festival?) who is so thoroughly unlikable that it made the 144 minute film difficult to endure.

How bad is the musically talented Adam Johnson? In an argumentative rage he punches a blind man who is a member of his quintet. As it so happens "Blind Les" (Johnny Brown) lost his eyesight in the same automobile accident in which Johnson's wife and child were killed. Adam was the driver responsible for the car crash.

Along the way Louis Armstrong, Mel Torme, Frank Sinatra, Jr., and Peter Lawford turn up. Throughout the entire film Adam Johnson fights with his bandmates, audience members, and his managers. He even kicked Satchmo out of the guest bedroom of his apartment.

Yesterday, the same festival screened "'Round Midnight" with Dexter Gordon portraying Dale Turner, a self destructive musician struggling to maintain his sobriety while on tour. What sets this performance apart from "A Man Named Adam" is that the Turner character is deeply flawed, but nonetheless likeable. He is capable of being polite and kind. He is also introspective and thoughtful. Audience members could relate to his character and sympathize with him.

I am not denying that Sammy Davis, Jr., wasn't working hard in a low budget film, but it simply was not worth the effort. I was engrossed by "'Round Midnight." I was checking my watch while watching "A Man Named Adam."

One of the reel highlights of the festival was seeing "The Man With the Golden Arm" in a superior 35mm print. To paraphrase Darrin McGavin's "Louie" character from the same film, "The noir monkey is never dead, Dealer. The noir monkey never dies. When you kick him off, he just hides in a corner, waiting his turn."

Watching nineteen films in a week, helped me satisfy my craving. I got my fix.