M (1951) Film Noir - Joseph Losey

Joseph Losey's rarely seen remake of the Fritz Lang film.

In a large city, a series of violent murders of young girls terrorizes citizens and baffles police. A nervous young man, Martin Harrow, stalks several children and soon focuses his attention on a little girl playing alone at a neighborhood carnival. Martin buys a balloon from a blind street vendor, then walks away with the child, whistling a peculiar tune. Later, after the child's body is discovered, police chief Regan makes a television announcement disclosing that evidence collected in the case indicates the same modus operandi found in previous killings, death by strangulation and the shoes of the victim taken. After the police warn the public to take extreme caution and report all suspicious behavior, many people overreact and harass several innocent men. [TCM]

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Bradbury Building
• Film Noir
• Joseph Losey
• Raymond Burr

[mackjay2]

Actually it holds up very well agains the Lang version. It's very different because there is much more of the main character in the Losey and the LA locations are tremendous

[fxo369]

Is this the "Angels Flight " railway area of Los Angeles. I wish I had a nickel for every film that's been featured in.

[MultiKillz420]

My name is Joesph Losey.

[gombie]

I NEEEEED TO SEE THIS!

[monk22yrs]

wow, i read about this waay back in the 1970s, and now to finally see a clip---these clips from the movie will probably be the only way i'll ever see this movie.

raymond burr, luther adler (v for v....whatever in HAWII 50 episode), and whatever actor from ALL THE KINGS MEN/JACK THE GIANT KILLER shown in this episode.

And then there's the bradbury building: DEMON WITH A GLASS HAND of OUTER LIMITS and BLADERUNNER.

[jon21101992]

WAS 500 DAYS OF SUMMER SHOT HERE AS WELL?!

[tinajoey4ever]

Just bought the original Criterion collection M with good ole' Peter - never seen this one - hope it gets a release soon.

[boleary100]

This film isn't as bad as some have made it but to be. Agree that the locations are superbly used here, but the end is a wash-out compared to Lorre's tour-de-force performance as he rounds on his accusers. Lang's film is much darker than Losey's because of that ending, even if Losey's fetishization of the shoes and the attention he paid to the killer is quite unsettling. Very interesting to see this again after so long, thanks for the post.

[8825TWO]

The original is good but overrated. Besides, I've always prefered Lang's American films. Curious to see this one, anyways.

[LMCelebrity]

can somebody tell me where can i get this movie plz.

[JubalCalif]

THANKS for sharing this fascinating clip with us. As someone else posted here, this remake isn't the classic the 1931 original is; but it's a pretty good thriller in it's own right. Filled with lots of familar Hollywood character actors. And filmed on location in many famous Los Angeles landmarks (such as Angel's Flight & the Bradbuy buiding). I've seen the whole movie but it was a poor VHS version taped off TV many years ago (with very poor sound). Completely fascinating & absorbing film!