“I want to report a murder” … “Who was murdered?” “I was”. Thus starts this terrific fast-paced film with Edmond O’Brien as a small town accountant let off the leash on holiday in San Francisco. His plans soon go awry when he visits a jazz club and his drink is spiked with slow-acting “luminous toxin”. He then has just a few days to find out who has killed him and why, before the poison takes its lethal effect.

DOA (1950) was directed by Polish émigré Rudolph Maté, who was a cinematographer on many prestigious features before turning to directing in 1947. Look out especially for the hidden camera ‘stolen shots’ when Edmond O’Brien runs through the streets of San Francisco, bumping into startled passers-by, and the jazz club sequence where we see an early depiction of the underground Beats scene.

The feature will be introduced by Kulraj Phullar who is currently completing his PhD on Good Girls and Goodness in Classic Hollywood Film Noir at King’s College London.

The first half of the programme will comprise a selection of short cinematic treats from 1950, courtesy The Dave Locke Archive.

Doors open at 19.00, for a 19.30 start.

Refreshments will be available in our licensed cafe/bar.

TICKETS & PRICING

Tickets £6.

Advance tickets may be purchased from Billetto, or direct from the Museum by calling 020 7840 2200 in office hours. Tickets also available from Frugl.