Maléfices [Sorcery / Where the Truth Lies] (Henri Decoin, 1962)
Sep
10
Myriam Heller (Juliette Gréco) sharing a bed with Nyète, her cheetah. DP: Marcel Grignon.
Nuits rouges [L'homme sans visage / Shadowman] (Georges Franju, 1974)
Sep
6
A faceless man in black wearing a red balaclava (Jacques Champreux) holds his right wrist, which is bleeding profusely. DP: Guido Bertoni.
La horse [Horse] (Pierre Granier-Deferre, 1970)
Aug
28
1923
Francis Grutti's (Armando Francioli) ID, handled by someone wielding a large stamp. His birthday is August 28, 1923. DP: Walter Wottitz.
“It is vital to be photogenic from head to foot. After that you are allowed to display some measure of talent.”
Les Vampires [The Vampires or, The Arch Criminals of Paris] (Louis Feuillade, 1915/1916)
Aug
24
black
A signed promotional photograph of Irma Vep (Musidora) in her iconic black catsuit. DPs: Georges Guérin & Manichoux.
Black, in food or fashion*
– Musidora
Possibly the first, and definitely the most, iconic catsuit in cinema is worn by Musidora as Irma Vep in Les Vampires. Skintight and scandalous, Musidora's screen presence in the serial further cemented the popularity of the vamp and set the scene for many man-eaters to come.
* the Bales 2025 Film Challenge for August is not date-related but lists, for the most part, the colours of the rainbow.
“Marge, my love, my angel.”
Plein soleil [Purple Noon] (René Clément, 1960)
Aug
20
1959
A contract for Marge, a sailboat, dated August 20, 1959. DP: Henri Decaë.
Al filo del hacha [Edge of the Axe] (José Ramón Larraz, 1988)
Aug
16
1978
spoiler warning: click to toggle image
spoiler warning: click to read
A computer screen with the admission date of Lillian Nebbs (Christina Marie Lane) in the psychiatric ward on August 16, 1978. Diagnosis: Psycho Amnesia [sic]. There are small pop magazine stickers on the display's bezel. DP: Tote Trenas.
“Matto, caldo, soldi, morto… girotondo…”
Vergogna, schifosi!… [Dirty Angels] (Mauro Severino, 1969)
Aug
4
A typed note reads VERGOGNA, SCHIFOSI !! LA NOTTE DEL 4 C.M. PORTARE 8 MILLIONI 9° Km. RACCORDO MILANO–LODI CASA ABBANDONATA CAMPO ARNIE – GRAZIE. UN RICATTATOREI !. DP: Angelo Lotti.
While the month is never explicitly stated, there's mention of August traffic jams.
“Don't ask a dying man to lie his soul into Hell.”
The Killers (Robert Siodmak, 1946)
Jul
20
1940
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The July 21 headline. DP: Elwood Bredell.
– Lt. Sam Lubinsky
“I'll tell you what though, Mac. There'll be no more games from now on.”
Figures in a Landscape (Joseph Losey, 1970)
Jul
17
MacConnachie (Robert Shaw, standing and peering upwards) and Ansell (Malcolm McDowell, squatting and facing away) in a barren landscape. Both have their hands tied behind their back. DPs: Henri Alekan, Peter Suschitzky & Guy Tabary.
– Ansell
La dame dans l'auto avec des lunettes et un fusil [The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun] (Anatole Litvak, 1970)
Jul
10
Vendredi
A man with a lot of swagger and rolled up blueprints is about to enter a room with a prominent Coca-Cola machine and a jazzy leather swivel chair on display. An electronic flip clock tells the time and date. It's 17:52. DP: Claude Renoir.