Stage Fright (1950)

It's not lauded as a masterpiece like other Hitchcock thrillers, but I think this one about an acting school student (Wyman) who becomes embroiled in a murder mystery when her friend Freddie goes on the run from police, is, from the get-go, fun, romantic, thrilling, and star-studded with Pat Hitchcock, the director's daughter debuting as an adult in her father's films (in 1936's Sabotage, she was a very young extra) and Marlene Dietrich features as a sinister rival for Freddie's affections.

★★★★☆

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D.O.A. (1950)

The popwhistle sound effect every time a woman walks past is a disconcerting detail in this otherwise engrossing film noir classic about Frank Bigelow, an accountant and Lothario who has short time to investigate when a slow poisoner "murders" him.

★★★☆☆

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Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Multi-Academy Award-winning despite its one oppressive-gothic-dreary-note, this Hollywood satire and film noir co-written by Billy Wilder has financially-strapped screenwriter Joe Gillis becoming ensnared in a dependent relationship with Norma Desmond, a delusional "Bride of Frankenstein"-like silent film has-been with lockjaw unable to accept her plight - the plight of all Hollywood actresses over a certain age.

★★★☆☆

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