Cornell Woolrich from Pulp Noir to Film Noir - by Thomas C Renzi (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Extremely popular and prolific in the 1930s and 1940s, Cornell Woolrich still has diehard fans who thrive on his densely packed descriptions and his spellbinding premises. A contemporary of Hammett and Chandler, he competed with them for notoriety in the pulps and became the single most adapted writer for films of the noir period. Perhaps the most famous film adaptation of a Woolrich story is Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window (1954). Even today, his work is still onscreen; Michael Cristofer's Original Sin (2001) is based on one of his tales.

This book offers a detailed analysis of many of Woolrich's novels and short stories; examines films adapted from these works; and shows how Woolrich's techniques and themes influenced the noir genre. Twenty-two stories and 30 films compose the bulk of the study, though many other additions of films noirs are also considered because of their relevance to Woolrich's plots, themes and characters. The introduction includes a biographical sketch of Woolrich and his relationship to the noir era, and the book is illustrated with stills from Woolrich's noir classics.

Review Quotes

"this volume is tops, and it is my hope that Thomas C. Renzi writes more of the same...excellent...intelligent and interesting reading...a meticulous evaluation of the films and the author proves that he really knows his noir and Woolrich. Highly recommended"-Classic Images; "in-depth examination...detailed analysis...'must-read'...excellent...meticulously researched...highly readable...recommended"-Midwest Book Review.

About the Author

The late Thomas C. Renzi was an administrator and instructor at Buffalo State College in Buffalo, New York.