Albino Alligator (1996)

Famous boy lover, Kevin Spacey, apart from being a good actor, made one good movie. It revolves around group of thugs who, trying to steal money from some place, chased by the police, seek hideout in bar and eventually take siege of it. But they are also very quickly surrounded by the police. Then trouble begins. Matt Dillon, in his usual role, act crazy, but so are all the others. And after long night strange thing happens : one of the prisoners in the bar, taken as a hostage, knows something about one criminal. And he knows something about her too. So they make a deal. And when they all come out, news reporter asks thug, Matt Dillon, how it feels to be a hero? 

Diego Gambetta - Codes Of The Underworld

Diego Gambetta, sociologist and one of the authority on the subject of Sicilian Mafia, who moved to United States to teach at Princeton University, since in his homeland he would probably get killed or fired, tells us in this great book how criminals, who by their very nature are accustomed to dumping and cheating each other, form trust in each other. Well, as he explains, they always find a way, or they get things done. Either by using violence as capital, or money, or dependence on others, or incompetence, this book covers numerous examples all around the globe, from American-Italian mafia, to Russian mafia, to Yakuzas, and even to some obscure places. One interesting thing he wrote appealed to me, when he wrote about Russian prisons and behaviour of inmates. One Russian prisoner said : We don't need to watch American gangster movies. We have that right here. And one other anecdote is very funny, even if it isn't true : some Italian mafiosi claimed they have nine bars of uranium and are willing to sell them. Of course, Italian police overheard this, and at the meeting place, when the exchange was about to happen, mafiosi didn't brought nothing. Then, one yakuza tells : if you have even half the brain, you wouldn't join yakuzas at all. Much of the book is centered about famous undercover agent, Joe Pistone, who infiltrated Boston mafia, and by researching this he developed theory of signalling. For example, someone could put a paper with skull before your door, and other examples. Then there is part about mimicry, how successful it is, and in what circumstances. One part is dedicated to life in prison, why inmates are forced to fight and is very insightful. Second part is about meaning of tattoos and scars on one's body, then there are insightful chapter about meaning of nicknames. Lastly there are chapters about how art imitates low life and vice versa how low life imitates art. One part that struck me is Gambetta claim that most, if not all mafiosi, or shall I put it, pentitos, meaning mafiosi who are in prisons, tell what they know to the police. Book is also chokeful of examples from crime fiction and therefore for lovers of crime fiction this should be an interesting read.

Salvatore Giuliano (1962)

 

In this movie shot in poor Neo-Realist style we can follow adventure of bandit and scum called Salvatore Giuliano, who worked with Sicilian Mafia and with the government, and his death and cover-up of it by corrupted Italian state. Movie is bit annoying with all those Italian peasants and their cows and mountains, but it has some charm to it.

John Dickie - Cosa Nostra - History Of The Sicilian Mafia

In this horrible book we can see hundred years of wretched Italian history, full of incompetence, corruption, corroboration with the Sicilian Mafia and many other insidious activities. Of course, it took English author to enlighten us about state and mafia relations in Italy, but whatever. Every chapter sounds like some murder mystery, but in the most darkest and funny way. Book is very rich with photographs of Italian mafiosi, and one can't help showering after reading it. Of course, if Judge Falcone didn't dig too much, he wouldn't be sent to pieces like that, but it is on his own conscience to ruminate about. And one thing comes to mind and that is, as Lucky Luciano once said : We Italians aren't human.

Nicolas Freeling - Gun Before Butter

Dutch detective Van Der Valk after brief encounter with young girl whose father had died in a car crash stumbles upon deserted white Mercedes with open door and a key in lock. Curious about that, he crosses the street and enters into house where he finds dead body. Nothing whatsoever points to dead man's identity, nor there are any clues in the house. After some investigation he finds that house was rented from some baron. Then he find dead man's name and also that he was spending time in some cottage up the hills. But again no clue comes to what this man was or who killed him. So he decides to cross the border to Germany where he find that he was a smuggler. He was smuggling butter. And he was living in Belgium under another name. So, Van Der Valk thinks, this man had two identities, one in Holland and another in Belgium. He finds his wife who runs a hotel in Brussels but she proves too hard nut to crack. Eventually it comes to light that this man assumed identity of a dead man, who died in Germany during the war, and therefore he was free of his Belgium identity, free to smuggle butter in Holland. He was a criminal. But his mistake was falling in love with a silly girl, girl who worked as a mechanic in an automobile repair shop. The same girl Van Der Valk encountered when her father died in a car crash. She found about his wife, and madly jealous, went to the house in Mercedes and knifed him, as she later told to Van Der Valk. He tried to confort her, telling her he was a criminal, and let her go free. Very good crime novel, and somewhat exotic, being set in Holland and Belgium.

Colin Watson - Bump In The Night

Some may argue if women or men are better crime writers, but it sure is true that England had made killing a sport of their own. Which is certainly true in this off-beat, humoresque and almost parodic crime novel set in some village full of creeps and freaks, in which explosion after explosion happens, often on some public monument and nobody knows who done it or why. But however misanthropic and funny this novel seems to be, in the end, where criminal is found, true tragedy uncovers.

Dorothy Unhak - The Investigation

Who killed Kitty Keeler's two sons in the dead of night and dumped them in nearby park? That is the question for police department to decide. While detectives are fighting over positions in the police hierarchy, one man genuinely tries to solve the case and help poor mother, and in the process become infatuated with her. However, as it turns out, Kitty Keeler is not the woman she seems to be. Superficially cold, inside warm, no one knows what she is or what she is thinking. Many factors are involved in the case, for instance Kitty's involvement with underworld figures, curious acting of her husband, relentless assault by detectives on Kitty, unscrupulous lawyer, manipulation of events, time of death, phone calls in the middle of the night, shameless journalist, all that which doesn't need to surprise unlike in other crime novels because Dorothy Unhak herself was a cop, and at the end of her career died of drug overdose, which is rather less painful than other suicides in police profession. Good crime novel, but maybe too long.

Maigret (2022)

So little movies have been made about famous detective created by Georges Simenon, that this one is actually worth watching if you are desperate for old school detective movies. Gerard Depardieu makes good performance and somehow catches the spirit of Maigret, in this tale of murder of aspiring actress. Maigret often leaves culprits alone, and is non-judgmental character. However he has keen eye and is disgusted by prudity and hypocrisy. In brilliant scene where one of dead girl neighbour shows dressed like the dead girl murderers are terrified, not knowing what to say, since they killed her. However Maigret leaves them alone with their guilty conscience and in the end say goodbye to his helper who leaves on the train.

Exposed (1983)

Poor Nastassja Kinski leaves her home and comes to New York only to be robbed of her little cash she had. So to pay her rent in run down motel she has to work as a waitress. There she encounters mysterious figure who seduces her and make her a model for fashion magazines. But as it turns out it was only a trap for her to become involved with a terrorist group. Movie itself doesn't have much sense, but is interesting and not too long.

John Creasey - Gideon's March

In London, that criminal hell hole, a Visit is expected by presidents of United States, France and Germany. So Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard, Gideon, has many problems on his hands to deal with in forthcoming weeks. From keeping local criminals from Manchester, Liverpool and other towns in control, and at the same time solving the death of troublesome young girl. But in meantime curious character prepares attack on the president of France for his own personal reasons which would prove fatal in the end. All in all, interesting police procedural with funny characters.

The Breaking Point - Mary Roberts Rinehart

Dick Livingstone lives happily with his brother David and is in love with Elizabeth. But something about his past disturbs him, and he soon finds out that he isn't the man he thought, but quite another, and sinister one at that. Long ago, he lived as Judson Clark, who was in love with singer named Beverly Carlysle. There was some quarrel between Judson Clark and some man over Beverly and in the process he killed the man. So to escape conviction David changed his identity and made him into another person, general practitioner Dick Livingstone. But Dick/Judson had to go through that again, and find Beverly Carlysle. After much trouble and abandoning poor Elizabeth he eventually finds Beverly but realizes that bringing up the subject again would only cause trouble for Beverly, and he returns as a free man to find peace and happiness with Elizabeth. Whole story is somewhat reminiscent of Bible, as all good crime novels are, and is very atmospheric, especially in Dicks effort to find his former self. But than again, it is too long and reader gradually loses interest in the story. Modern reader may find it old fashioned and too rosy, but it was enjoyable read for me in this cynical times.

Too Late For Tears (1949)

Snake of a woman (great performance by Lizabeth Scott) got hold of a briefcase containing 50.000$ in cash which were stolen. Confident on keeping it for herself she resorts to all kinds of brutal deeds which only a woman of her kind is capable, going so far to kill girlfriend of her best friend and poisoning her criminal friend (good performance by Dan Duryea). Of course, we can't blame her, for femme fatales were always present in literature and art. As she finished those two she goes down to Mexico to enjoy life, but persistent party breaker tracks her down in hotel with mexican cops and confronts her. Poor woman, cornered, jumps of the balcony with stolen cash and kills herself.

T-Men (1947)

Another good film noir by Anthony Mann about Treasury Agents and their hunt for organized crime group specialized in counterfeited money. Two of the Treasury Agents infiltrate the gangsters hoping to expose them but unfortunately one of them dies. Good atmosphere and acting though, which is all noir film requires.

The Big Hoax

Woman in trouble comes to alcoholics hideout full of sluts and scum seeking help from ex-cop, now drinking himself to death. Apparently she got involved herself in some trouble about compromising photographs involving high ranking members of La Colonia, of which one is brother of ex-cop and they are sending cold blooded killer called Iguana to track her down and kill her. Depressed ex-cop reluctantly agrees to help her, and find himself in trouble too, but all the same hoping to destroy his corrupted brother and his crew (were authors thinking of Colonia Dignidad?). Story by Carlos Trillo is so-so, but artwork by Domingo Mandrafina is excellent as always. 

Atillio Micheluzzi

First time I stumbled upon this Italian comic artist is when I as a kid read one of Dylan Dog special edition and was immediately drawn by its grotesque, yet somehow elegant artwork. And now Croatian publisher released handful of his comic books, most notably Air Mail. Atillio Micheluzzi was from his childhood obsessed by airplanes since his father was a pilot, and it shows in his work (he was born in Umag, Croatia, which at the time was an Italian state). Nevertheless, his occupation as an architect proved worthy as comic book artist and story teller, what he became as some might say too late, in his forties. Unfortunately, his recognition as one of the greatest Italian comic book artists came too late and he is now almost completely forgotten, unlike some others, like Hugo Pratt and the like. One thing to consider about this man is his unique approach to visual storytelling, and his use of black and white colours, creating chiaroscuro atmosphere in both day and night, and as I previously mentioned, very grotesque and at the same time elegant artwork. In this book Air Mail we follow adventures of pilot delivering air mail on his air plane and encountering on his trips humorous characters, from prohibition era gangsters, to movie moguls and jazz era bandits. 

Scene of the crime (1986)

In a family countryside, troubled kid stumbles upon a fugitive from justice who is hiding from authorities in some shed. Taking kid in his hands, he treathens to him that he would kill him if he betrays his whereabouts to he police. Of course, fugitive from justice is all the same troubled as the kid, so he decides to choke life out of him with the help of his accomplice, but as it turns out, he saves the kid by killing his accomplice. Lost and not knowing what to do, he goes to reaustarunt by the river where mother of troubled child is working (great scene where some dirty frenchmen are singing some American song). There he encounters her and become familliar with poor mother, who is by that time unaware of what's happening. Soon afterwards psyphopatic girl turns up looking for her lover who is now dead, shoots the culprit and in her unstable frame of mind kills her by sppeding up to wall. Fortunately, young boy is kept alive, but her mother, still clinking to rescue of her son goes to hospital where he is staying, hoping that she will be reunited by him. One word come to mind, why does she do all that, unless she had some uncomfortable feeling in her own house, amplified by her notorious uncaring fother? As in all French movies there is some level of surrealism about it, and Catrin Denevues's performance is stiiil great after so many years.

Hillary Waugh - Pure Poison

 

Who put strychnine in a bottle of milk that morning when Mr. Chapman and his wife were setting for dinner? At that point no one knows, but as fate would have it. poor Mr. Chapman died of accute poisoning. Investigation takes place by the police and after some inquiry they find out that poor Mr. Chapman was not as exemplary specimen of his own society, even as he was respectable among his colleagues at high school staff. He often went around on field trips to interview possible candidates for jobs and applications that would drive out competition from other cities. After some time it turns out that he was quite a womanizer on those field trips and got some wretched girl pregnant. But as usual with these kind of novels, there is some other person who is even more guilty of the crime and that is brother of pregnant girl. Although these kind of crime novels can be discarded as anything but a fantasy, there is striking resemblance of actual police investigation. Hillary Waugh was pioneer of police procedurals and even as his novels are out of print and forgotten, there is everlasting immortality to his work.

Double Cross

This is story about gangster Sam 'Mooney' Giancana, who was wheelman for the Outfit in Chicago and eventually boss of the organization. It is probably ghostwritten and some parts are questionable, but it's enjoyable read (it is written like a novel). Although very funny in most disgusting way, it should be taken with caution because of the horrible things these guys did. Book is told from perspective of his younger brother, who idolizes him and talks about many adventures Mooney had. Essential part of the book, like title says, is promise of John Kennedy that with the help of the Outfit in selecting his son as president they will be free from prosecution, which old crook of course disobeyed and launched crackdown on gangsters. Now whoever killed Kennedy remains a question, but it surely brought relief for the Outfit. There is also gruesome story about killing Marylin Monroe, and many other disgusting things. Book is filled with good photographs of Mooney and other players.

He Walked By Night (1948)

Very realistic film noir about ex-cop who goes on a killing spree (inspired by real criminal, Erwin 'Machine Gun' Walker. Although shot in semi-documentary police procedural style, it preserves film noir iconography thanks to cinematographer John Alton and director Anthony Mann. It should be noted that this movie is one of many made by famous Outfit gangster, mostly in Eagle-Lion studios.

Dry Clean

Great noir comic book by Belgian artist Mertens about lonely man who works in dry cleaning company as driver and dreaming about fortune regularly gambles on lottery hoping to win. He also have a crush on some woman working in a kiosk. When new worker arrives he goes with him to deliver clean clothes to clients and eventually they venture outside of Brussels to some isolated house in the woods. There he encounters house full of dead people and bag full of cash. Astonished and terrified but at the same time tempted by money he takes the bag and hides it in the woods, and explains to his coworker that job is done. After some time sitting in restaurant he sees news about wanted man who killed all those people in the house. Stricken by paranoia he decides to take the money he hid all the time looking around himself for police and criminals. But as he finally manages to find the spot where he buried the money he realizes it was flooded and in desperation jumps in deep water, find the bag but mud brings him down and he dies. Irony about this man is that in final two pages he won the lottery, but too late. Artwork  is pretty good in portraying 70's Brussels and in creating noirish atmosphere.

Joan Fleming - Kill Or Cure

British crime fiction is the best, which this particular novel proves. It begins when young girl comes half dead to some guy flat, he calls general practitioner, but he can do very little about it. Soon there comes blackmail letters to all involved, and in the meanwhile G.P. decides to kill his adulterous wife under the influence of LSD. After that some unknown boy turns up in his office with no identity papers, apparently dumb and mute. Not knowing what to do, doctor invites him to his home to serve him until he recovers. Lord Tralee, writer of detective novels have some suspicion about it, and it soon is revealed that dumb boy was impersonating his true dumb brother and is actually very clever young thug who is responsible for death of poor young girl, poisoning general practitioner drink with LSD and sending blackmailing letters to everyone involved. However, in all good detective novels, moral relativism is the key to all answers. Young thug really liked the girl, and got her pregnant, and in the end he stumbles upon doctors house with a pistol. Doctor accidentally kills him, while Lord Tralee in the last few chapters exposes what really happened. You may think that crime novels are rubbish, but they are literature in its purest form, which this one proves. 

Amantes (1991)

During the turbulent years of post-Franco fascist regime young spanish boy Paco after leaving the army tries to find his way by marrying poor peasant girl Luisa(Victoria Abril). Since her house is crowded with old people he finds accommodation in a flat owned by blonde Trini and quickly she seduces him, promising him freedom if he can give her some cash to escape her troubles and leave with him out of the country. Torn between love for Luisa and Trini, he ultimately succumbs to Trini's temptation, steal life savings from Luisa and kills her. Then he boards on a train with Trini but is soon arrested by police. People call this film noir, and although there are some features of it, it is ultimately classic piece of spanish nonsense. But it is easy to watch and have some striking set-pieces.

Stay As You Are (1978)

Very romantic and sexy erotic drama directed by Alberto Lattuada about married man in his late 50's, married to a woman which he despise (great performance by Marcello Mastroianni ) until he encounters beautiful young cock teaser Nastassja Kinski. After seducing her, he realizes she is her daughter and despite that he fucks her, and then leave her after brief encounter. Somewhat sad movie, but beautifully shot and directed around Italian landscape.

Elisa (1995)

Gut wrenching drama about young prostitute whose mother was killed. As she (great portrayal by Vanessa Paradis) roams the streets of Paris with band of thieves she decides to find the man responsible for her mother death. After obtaining gun from some thug she contemplates suicide in public bathroom (great scene with beautiful music) but change her mind and goes to some remote island where she encounters her tormentor, old drunkard (great performance by Gerard Depardieu) and little by little she gets close to him, only to find that he killed her mother because she was whoring with another men so she could raise Elise and her husband. 

Moon In The Gutter (1983)

Mostly overlooked french adaptation of David Goodis crime novel of the same name, its striking visuals and great acting by Gerard Depardieu and Nastassja Kinski together with dense and oppressive atmosphere are greatly appreciated by movie aficionados. Plot revolves around meaningless killing of protagonist sister and his pursuit of the killer while at the same time Nastassja tries to lure Depardieu from that poor neighbourhood, and in the end he refuses her advances, realizing it could be anyone in that slum who could kill his sister.

Bad Son (1980)

Good movie drama about ex-convict released from prison for drug addiction. When he returns to home he rejoin with his embittered father and tries to form a father and son relationship with him, all the while working some jobs in factory, until he find work in bookstore where he encounters ex-junkie girl who is struggling to overcome her addiction. Bruno have some fight with his father over death of his mother, only to find that his father was having an affair with another woman while his mother was sick. Question here is who is actually bad son. Movie itself is nothing to write home about, but is superbly carried by leading actor Patrick Dewaere, himself a tragic man who suffered from depression and drug addiction until he killed himself at the height of his career.

One Deadly Summer (1983)

Great movie adaptation of Sebastian Japrisot novel, it tells a story about troubled woman (great role by Isabelle Adjani) who tries to capture and kill the men who raped her mother. By coincidence or not she finds them, but it turns they are not the men she was searching for, and in the end she ends up in loony bin. Japrisot novels are best described as psychedelic crime fiction so it's pointless to analyze them and best to enjoy them on a visceral level. 

William McIlvaney - Laidlaw

Solid piece of so called 'Tartan Noir', crime novels set in Scotland, although they are anything but noir novels, but mostly police procedurals. Laidlaw is funny protagonist who often carry investigation in his own way, and in these case of killing young girl he proves quite capable. Seedy atmosphere of depressing Scotlands and every kind of urban decay is very appealing so you should check this crime novel.

Outfit - Role Of Chicago Underworld in shaping Modern America

These were the original Gangsters, and although they were scum of the worst kind, they were nothing in comparison to deeply corrupted American society. As author Gus Russo claims, the only reason between them and upperworld criminals is lack of finesse and education. Of course, stories about gangsters are easier to sell, because of their so called notoriety, and everybody knows that politicians are crooks. However, they got more guts to spare than all the rest of so called white collar criminals. I always felt somekind of sympathy for these freaks, and book is rich with their adventures and often funny in the most unbelievable black humor type. As always, Americans were racist towards jews, italians, and niggers, and as Meyer Lansky clearly put it: these hypocrites like mormons and protestants took over what we achieved and made it all legal, in contrary to their moral obligations. I personally like books about gangsters because they so often reflects and expose the true gangsters, which is American Government. For every fan of crime fiction, this is entertaining read.

Deadly Circuit (1983)

Great French crime movie about private detective called 'The Eye' (Michel Serrault) who tracks down crazy woman Catherine (Isabelle Adjani) on request by his employer, but believes that she is her dead daughter. In fact she is daughter of dead criminal and begins to kill her lovers one by one, while detective cover up her tracks and pursues her most of the time. That shadowing becomes boring after some time because of detective reluctance to tell her what he wants from her. After some time Catherine goes nuts and together with some girl start to rob banks and kill people, and while avoiding police and detective she jumps through the window of a high building in her automobile, killing herself. Charming photography and acting make this movie pay up for somewhat confusing story.

Raymond Chandler Speaking

Bit pretentious title, but so was Chandler. In any case, this is important book for Chandler's fans and crime fiction lovers. Composed mostly of his letters to colleagues, it is divided into categories : Chandler on himself (where he talks about his life in England and America, his failed suicide attempt after his fifteen years older wife died, after he was committed to psychiatric ward, his alcoholism and so on, then : Notes about mystery novel where he rambles about detective fiction, writing in general, rants about Hollywood and how they treat screenwriters (which is surprisingly true to this day), about film and television, then there are his thoughts about famous crimes, his love of cats, and one unpublished short story as well first chapter of his unfinished novel, Poodle Springs. In all these fragments Chandler uncover himself as one particularly complex, emotional and intelligent man.

Freeman Wills Crofts - 12.30 From Croydon

Great detective novel about Charles Swinburn, owner of factory which produces electric motors, who falls in desperation after he discovers that his business is going to pieces. So he decides to kill his uncle and get hold of his share of old man's will, which would eventually save him from financial troubles. Best part of the novel is Charles preparing himself for the crime, inventing alibies and masquerading himself to get hold of poison which he would use to poison his uncle. But he is no professional killer and after old man is dead, police quickly arrests him and in second part we follow Charles in courtroom, which is also interesting as much as his carefully constructed plan to kill his uncle. Of course he is convicted guilty and sentenced to death, Inspector French later at a dinner party explains how he managed to gather all evidence against him after he was sure he was the killer. Good example of inverted detective story and one of the forerunner of police procedural novels. 

Garde à Vue (1981)

Great movie set almost completely in interrogation room of the police station, where detective inspects possible suspect of murder and rape of two kids. As it turns out, it was not him but some other guy, but at the end movie stays open to interpretations as suspect's wife commits suicide.

This Man Must Die (1969)

Solid adaptation of Nicholas Blake crime novel about man (great role by Michel Duchaussoy) whose child has been murdered by reckless driver. He pursues him after long time, writing in his journal his thoughts and after finding him he befriends him and his son, who also hates him. With the help from him his son kills his father and in the closing sequence father of a lost son goes away in a boat, presumably to kill himself, thus closing circle of events.

Helen McCloy - The Long Body

Unusual crime novel featuring investigator Dr Basil Willing, about a woman who suspects her husband's death from falling over a cliff was not an accident as she uncovers empty envelope with a foreign woman's name on it. After some investigation she finds old man suffering from stroke and is unable to tell her anything about it, before long she is struck by an automobile and is sent to hospital. Under heavy drugs she contemplates about killing that woman, and as she often suffers from sleepwalking, decides to murder that mexican woman. But she realizes that all the time she was in a hospital some other person killed the woman. After meeting with Dr Basil Willing, psychiatrist and some investigation she finds out that her husband and his friend while they were in the army fighting against mexicans, encountered mexican whore. They wanted to play with her but suddenly her husband came with a gun and mexican whore shot him with american friend's pistol. During military investigation mexican woman didn't want to accuse both of them, but instead asked them to take away their then 4 year old daughter to America where she eventually found work caring after sick person who was suffering from stroke. They found out that she was blackmailing her husband and after some argue she pushed him over the cliff, and then turned to his friend from army and began blackmailing her too, who eventually had to kill her, convincing poor woman that she was only sleepwalking. Novel itself is somewhat influenced by the works of Ouspensky.

Tyler Cross

 

Predictable comic about invincible gangster, but great artwork and lots of violence make up for it.

Stray Bullets

Great collection of short comedy crime stories about drug dealers, murderers, psychopaths, maniacs, corrupt cops, fucked up husbands, crazy women, alcoholics, junkies, juvenile delinquents and all other scum you can think of. Artwork is simple without too much artistic ejaculation and it serves well illustrating these funny and dark stories.

Slaine - The Horned God

Great dark fantasy comic book about Slaine, barbarian clearly inspired by Conan, who wants to become new horned god and unite tribes against their enemies. Story is quite good and draw inspiration from celtic mythology, but that is overshadowed by brilliant Bisley's artwork.