'The Big Sleep' presented by Proof of Concept: A Santa Cruz Classic Film Series

Proof of Concept: A Santa Cruz Classic Film Series concludes 'Noir Plus Ultra' with _The Big Sleep_, directed by Howard Hawks and starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

_The Big Sleep_ is secretly a screwball comedy in noir clothing -- a funny, sexy mystery that both defines and parodies the private eye genre. Despite the gunplay and shadowy goings-on it’s clear the cast can barely keep straight faces as they reel off the hilariously hardboiled dialogue and racy one-liners. The plot becomes an afterthought as the film turns into a Mobius strip of delightful Noir tropes. Plus, it's the Bogie & Bacall pairing that most perfectly captures their folie à deux of lust & insouciance. In some delightful corner of the house of American cinema, this film must surely play on permanent loop. We hope you can join us!