Welcome to BCB After Dark, the happening virtual gathering for night owls, early risers, new parents, and Cubs fans around the world. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, everyone is invited to join in the fun. There’s no entry fee, so come as you are, and feel free to bring your own drink of choice.
BCB After Dark is the perfect spot to engage in discussions about baseball, music, movies, or anything else on your mind, as long as it adheres to the site’s rules. Night owls are encouraged to kick-start the party, but early risers can jump in as they wake up in the morning and throughout the afternoon.
In our previous gathering, I asked for your predictions on which Cubs pitcher would lead the team in strikeouts for the year 2024. The votes were overwhelmingly in favor of two candidates, and Shōta Imanaga emerged as the winner with 66 percent of the vote. The remaining 33 percent went to last year’s top strikeout performer, Justin Steele.
Tonight, we won’t delve into movie discussions. However, I always make time for jazz, so those of you who aren’t interested can take a breather. Rest assured, it won’t offend me.
Now, let’s enjoy a captivating performance by the legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal, as he puts a unique spin on the Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart classic, “Blue Moon.” Accompanying him are Reginald Veal on bass, Herlin Riley on drums, and Manolo Badrena on percussion. It’s hard to believe that we’re approaching the one-year anniversary of Jamal’s passing, as this recording dates back to 2014.
It seems like you’re discussing the 1951 film “The Tall Target,” directed by Anthony Mann. The movie revolves around the Baltimore Plot, an alleged attempt to assassinate President-elect Abraham Lincoln in 1861 before his inauguration. The protagonist, John Kennedy (played by Dick Powell), a New York City policeman, uncovers the assassination plot through undercover work.
The film presents a thrilling crime drama that can be seen as a precursor to the conspiracy thrillers popular in the 1970s. Kennedy brings evidence of the plot to his superiors at the NYPD, who dismiss it. However, the newly-commissioned US Army Colonel Caleb Jeffers (played by Adolphe Menjou) also disregards the evidence, leading Kennedy to suspect that both the NYPD and Jeffers are involved in the conspiracy.
Despite being denied permission to travel to Baltimore to stop the assassination, Kennedy decides to go rogue and boards the train anyway. He discovers that his friend Inspector Reilly (played by Regis Toomey) is missing and encounters Colonel Jeffers on the train. Jeffers pretends to be Kennedy’s friend to divert suspicion but later attempts to kill him. In a struggle, Kennedy manages to overpower the shooter, but Jeffers shoots and kills the conspirator. Kennedy becomes suspicious of Jeffers, as he realizes that Jeffers could not have had a clear shot at the fake Kennedy without risking hitting the real one.
“The Tall Target” combines elements of noir and crime drama, presenting a suspenseful story set against the backdrop of the alleged Baltimore Plot to assassinate Lincoln.
“The Tall Target” sounds like a captivating film with a compelling storyline and well-executed visuals. The introduction of additional characters on the train, such as Charlotte Alsop, Lance Beaufort, Ginny Beaufort, and Rachel, adds depth and complexity to the narrative.
The film effectively creates a noir atmosphere with its darkly-lit train corridors, smoky train stations, and the presence of steam from the locomotive engine, contributing to a mysterious and eerie ambiance. Cinematographer Paul C. Vogel’s placement of the camera in low corners of the set adds to the sense of secrecy and hidden agendas.
Dick Powell delivers a strong performance as John Kennedy, portraying the rogue cop determined to uncover and thwart the assassination plot. His character’s connection to Lincoln and his admiration for the President-elect adds a touch of Lincoln hagiography to the story.
While Paula Raymond receives second billing as Ginny, the female lead, it appears that Ruby Dee’s portrayal of Rachel, the slave, shines as the true female hero of the film. The inclusion of a significant role for Rachel, where she foils the plot and asserts her agency, reflects a shift in Hollywood towards more substantial and empowered roles for African American characters. The film also highlights the stark difference in circumstances between Ginny and Rachel, emphasizing the painful reality of slavery.
Overall, “The Tall Target” seems to be an engaging film that combines elements of noir, suspense, and historical drama, while also touching on themes of racial inequality and individual courage.
“The Tall Target” incorporates many elements typically associated with film noir, including its visual style, dark atmosphere, and suspenseful narrative. However, it lacks the moral ambiguity often found in classic film noirs, as the protagonist, John Kennedy, is portrayed as a clear hero, and the individuals plotting to assassinate Lincoln are depicted as villains. Despite this departure from the typical noir ambiguity, the film still captures the essence of the genre in many ways.
While some noir experts, such as Eddie Muller, may argue that “The Tall Target” does not fit within the strict definition of film noir, they still appreciate and admire the film for its merits. Muller, for instance, considers it one of the best train movies ever made. The film’s inclusion of notable actors like Will Geer and Barbara Billingsley from classic television further adds to its appeal.
Whether classified as a film noir or not, “The Tall Target” remains a highly regarded crime suspense film with elements that foreshadow the conspiracy thrillers of later decades. Its gripping storyline and expertly shot train sequences make it a must-see for fans of both noir and nineteenth-century locomotion.
