What is film noir? Is it a look? An era? A mood?

Probably, it's all of the above, but TCM will explore the question to its fullest this summer with "Summer of Darkness," a 94-film series of classic noir films that begins Friday with a triumvirate of noir classics: "The Maltese Falcon" at 8 p.m., followed by "In a Lonely Place" at 10 and "High Sierra" at midnight.

The series provides a good chance for fans to catch up on familiar favorites and discover overlooked gems. Some rarely seen movies include "Detour," by master of the form Edgar G. Ulmer; the heartbreaking "Woman in the Window," starring Edward G. Robinson; and Stanley Kubrick's "The Kill-ing," which features Sterling Hayden in a taut, nerve-rattling thriller. And of course, Sun readers are on strict orders to see "Sweet Smell of Success" Aug. 20.

"Summer of Darkness" will air Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 28, and will feature programs of the work of directors Robert Wise and Fritz Lang and stars like Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitchum, Barbara Stanwyck and Claire Trevor. Just the ticket for those tediously bright summer days.

Pub Date: 06/27/99