Dope Men: America's First Drug Cartel is a hard-hitting documentary directed by Seth Ferranti that explores the roots of organized crime’s role in the U.S. drug trade. From the 1920s through the modern era, the film traces how the Mafia and other crime groups built America’s earliest narcotics ne...

A Tortured Mind: The Reality of Post-Incarceration Syndrome: Directed by Seth Ferranti. With Nick Stahl, Mark Boone Junior, Wendy Benge, Seth Ferranti

This eerie thriller follows a killer (Charles Russell) who hides in a small-town boarding house, only to be haunted by guilt and suspicious neighbors. Based on the popular radio series, the film delivers classic B-movie chills. TV Guide called it 'a grim psychological ride with noir overtones.'

This pre-Code crime thriller follows Madame Ying Su (Carmel Myers), a powerful Chinatown figure, as she manipulates and murders her way to obtain a rare jewel. With exotic settings and shadowy cinematography, the film exemplifies early 1930s exploitation drama. Variety described it as 'a moody an...

Ann Sheridan stars as Eleanor Johnson, whose estranged husband witnesses a gangland killing and disappears. As she searches San Francisco’s seedy corners to find him, she discovers more than just danger. Directed by Norman Foster, the film was lauded by Film Noir Foundation for its 'emotional dep...

John Garfield delivers a brooding performance as a champion boxer on the run after being falsely accused of murder. Finding refuge on a rural farm for wayward boys, he begins a redemptive journey. Co-starring Claude Rains, the film blends crime and morality with Warner Bros. polish.

In this stylish noir, private eye Stuart Bailey (Franchot Tone) is hired to locate a missing heiress but uncovers a web of deceit, murder, and double identities. Directed by S. Sylvan Simon, the film combines sharp dialogue and twisting suspense. Tone’s performance was praised by The New York Tim...

Anna Lee stars in this early aviation thriller about a woman targeted by gangsters after witnessing a murder. The tension rises aboard a luxury transatlantic flight. With direction by Robert Stevenson, it's considered a British precursor to modern airborne suspense films.

Quicksand (1950) is a gritty film noir starring Mickey Rooney as Dan Brady, a young auto mechanic whose impulsive decision to "borrow" $20 leads him down a dark path of escalating crime and desperation. As each poor choice pulls him deeper into trouble—from theft to blackmail to murder—Dan strugg...

A convicted safecracker (Douglas Kennedy) is made invisible by a rogue scientist and forced into heists for military-grade technology. Shot on a micro-budget, this film is a cult classic of sci-fi noir. Critic Kim Newman noted its 'eerie atmosphere despite bargain-bin effects.'

Boris Karloff stars as Mr. Wong, a brilliant detective investigating the mysterious murder of a shipping tycoon. With intrigue and betrayal at every turn, this classic Monogram mystery blends Chinese detective tropes with classic noir. The film remains a favorate of vintage mystery enthusiasts.

Tomorrow We Live (1942) is a suspenseful crime drama produced by Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC), directed by Edgar G. Ulmer. The film stars Ricardo Cortez as Alexander Martin, a seemingly respectable saloon owner in a desert town who secretly leads a criminal smuggling ring. When an invest...

The Fatal Hour (1940) is a classic mystery thriller from Monogram Pictures featuring Boris Karloff in one of his iconic roles as detective James Lee Wong. When a police officer’s body is found near the San Francisco docks, Wong is called in to investigate a web of smuggling, murder, and corruptio...

A Close Call for Boston Blackie (1946) is a fast-paced crime mystery from Columbia Pictures, starring Chester Morris as the suave ex-jewel thief turned amateur sleuth, Boston Blackie. When Blackie's old flame reappears and is soon found dead, he’s framed for her murder. On the run from the police...

Get Christie Love! (1974) is a groundbreaking made-for-TV crime drama produced by ABC, starring Teresa Graves as the fearless undercover detective Christie Love. One of the first African-American female leads in a network television drama, Graves’ portrayal brought style, smarts, and strength to ...

Boris Karloff reprises his role as detective Mr. Wong, unraveling the mystery of a priceless gem and a series of murders. The film is praised for its 'moody atmosphere' and Karloff's compelling performance.

Family Enforcer (1976), originally released as The Death Collector, is a gritty, low-budget crime drama that marked the film debut of Joe Pesci. Directed by Ralph De Vito and produced independently by The J.R. Film Company, the movie follows a streetwise young man working as a debt collector for ...

Target for Today (1944) is a powerful World War II documentary film produced by the U.S. Army Air Forces and the First Motion Picture Unit under the War Department. The film provides a detailed, authentic account of an American Eighth Air Force bombing mission over Nazi Germany, focusing on plann...

Johnny Cash makes his film debut as a cold-blooded killer in this crime thriller. His portrayal was described by Slant Magazine as 'a ferocious turn,' adding depth to the film's tension.

George Raft and Ava Gardner star in this film noir where a returning woman's rekindled romance leads to jealousy and murder. Gardner's performance was noted for its allure, with The New York Times highlighting the film's 'sultry atmosphere.'

Edward Norris portrays a man resurrected with the soul of an executed gangster, leading to a spree of crimes. AllMovie describes it as a 'long forgotten' film that offers a unique blend of science fiction and crime drama.

The Reckless Moment (1949) is a compelling film noir directed by Max Ophüls and produced by Walter Wanger. The story centers on Lucia Harper (Joan Bennett), a devoted mother who discovers the dead body of her teenage daughter's lover. To shield her family from scandal, Lucia conceals the death, i...

Directed by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock, Rebecca (1940) is a timeless psychological thriller and gothic romance. Based on Daphne du Maurier’s acclaimed novel, the film follows a shy young woman (Joan Fontaine) who marries the wealthy widower Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier). Upon arriving at...

Creature from the Haunted Sea (1961) blends crime caper and creature feature in a hilarious Cold War-era satire. When a smuggler fakes sea monster attacks to cover up his own crimes, things take a turn when a real monster emerges from the depths. Starring Anthony Carbone, Betsy Jones-Moreland, an...

“Killer’s Kiss” (1955) is a noir masterpiece directed by Stanley Kubrick, charting the desperate escape of a down-on-his-luck boxer who falls for a beautiful dancer trapped in an abusive relationship. When he tries to rescue her, he finds himself pulled into a violent underworld that blurs the li...

After years abroad, a former soldier arrives in London only to be swept into a murder investigation. As suspicion tightens around him, he must uncover the truth about a woman from his past and the mysterious "limping man." A taut British noir thriller starring Lloyd Bridges, blending suspense, ro...

In Bluebeard (1944), a troubled Parisian painter, played by John Carradine, charms women only to be revealed as a murderer hiding behind a mask of sophistication. As the city fears a serial killer at large, a determined puppet maker and his assistant inch closer to uncovering the grim truth. A ha...

Jamaica Inn (1939) is a suspenseful thriller directed by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock, adapted from the novel by Daphne du Maurier. Set on the rugged Cornish coast, the story follows Mary Yellan, a young woman who uncovers a deadly smuggling ring operating out of a desolate inn. As she seeks re...

Kansas City Confidential is a taut 1952 film noir crime thriller directed by Phil Karlson, known for its gritty realism and relentless pace. The story follows Joe Rolfe, a former convict turned florist, who is wrongfully accused of participating in a meticulously planned armored car heist execute...

Trapped (1949) is a pulse-pounding film noir thriller that dives into the murky world of counterfeit currency and double-crosses. Lloyd Bridges stars as Tris Stewart, a convicted counterfeiter granted conditional release to help the U.S. Treasury uncover a crime ring—but with freedom in hand, Tri...

Anatomy of a Psycho (1961) is a gritty, low-budget psychological crime drama that captures the raw intensity of teen rebellion and emotional trauma. The story follows Chet, a troubled young man who spirals into violence and obsession after his older brother is sentenced to death for murder. Convi...

Jigsaw (1949) is a riveting film noir that dives deep into the shadows of corruption and extremism. The story follows investigative reporter Charlie Riggs as he uncovers a shocking series of murders tied to a secretive fascist group operating within post-war America. With every clue, Riggs steps ...

Please Murder Me (1956) is a gripping courtroom noir thriller that dives deep into betrayal, justice, and cold-blooded manipulation. Raymond Burr stars as defense attorney Craig Carlson, who passionately defends his client, Myra Leeds (Angela Lansbury), accused of murdering her husband. When the ...

"Nightfall" (1957) is a gripping film noir directed by Jacques Tourneur that blends suspense, romance, and moral ambiguity. When commercial artist James Vanning (Aldo Ray) is wrongly accused of robbery and murder, he flees across the country, trying to evade both the law and a pair of ruthless cr...

Back Door to Heaven (1939) is a powerful social drama that follows the heartbreaking journey of Frankie Rogers, a neglected boy whose troubled childhood leads him down a path of crime and incarceration. As he moves from reform school to prison, the film paints a poignant portrait of how society’s...

Five Minutes to Live (1961) marks Johnny Cash’s striking film debut as Johnny Cabot, a ruthless criminal who takes a housewife hostage while his partner forces her husband to rob a bank. What begins as a calculated plan spirals into psychological warfare, as the tension inside the house builds mi...

Midnight Phantom (1935) is a tense and stylish mystery thriller starring Reginald Denny as a former professor turned radio scriptwriter who finds himself at the center of a chilling murder investigation. When a famed radio host is killed during a live broadcast, the studio is thrown into chaos — ...

In Gambler's Choice (1944), Chester Morris stars as a former con man trying to go straight while navigating a tangled past of crime, romance, and old loyalties. Set against the gritty backdrop of a bustling city underworld, the film follows the tension between redemption and temptation as his pas...

Back Door to Heaven (1939) stars Wallace Ford in a powerful and emotional drama about Frankie Rogers, a boy born into poverty whose early run-ins with the law set him on a tragic path. After being sent to reform school, Frankie struggles to rebuild his life, but society’s judgment and limited opp...

The Violent Years (1956) is a provocative exploitation film penned by the infamous Ed Wood Jr. and directed by William Morgan. The story centers on Paula Parkins (Jean Moorhead), a neglected teenager from an affluent family who leads a gang of delinquent high school girls. Their rebellion escalat...

The Woman in Green (1945) is a mystery thriller starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. In this atmospheric entry in the long-running Holmes film series, Holmes is drawn into a chilling investigation after a string of young women are found murdered with a finger ...

Barefoot Boy (1938) is a wholesome family drama inspired by the poem by John Greenleaf Whittier. The film tells the story of Kenneth Hale, a spoiled and nervous boy from the city who is sent to live on a country farm. There, he meets Billy Whittaker, a free-spirited country boy, and a series of a...

I Killed That Man (1945) is a suspenseful crime drama directed by William Beaudine. The story unfolds as a condemned man on death row claims he is innocent just hours before his execution—declaring that he knows who the real killer is. His shocking confession sets off a high-stakes race against t...

Shoot to Kill (1947) is a hard-hitting crime noir starring Russell Wade as investigative reporter George Mitchell. Tasked with probing the suspicious death of a key witness, Mitchell finds himself caught in a web of political corruption, racketeering, and murder. As he digs deeper, he risks his l...

The Woman Condemned (1934) is a suspense-filled crime drama starring Claudia Dell as Barbara Hammond, a radio singer unexpectedly entangled in a murder investigation. When famed journalist Jerry Beall goes missing, Barbara becomes the prime suspect after being seen with him shortly before his dis...

Nightfall (1957), directed by Jacques Tourneur, is a classic film noir that blends suspense, paranoia, and poetic visual storytelling. The film follows Jim Vanning, an ordinary man falsely accused of murder and theft, who is relentlessly pursued by both the police and two ruthless criminals searc...

The Monolith Monsters (1957) is a uniquely imaginative science fiction thriller that blends geological terror with classic 1950s atomic-age anxiety. When meteor fragments crash near a desert town, strange black rocks begin to grow into towering crystal monoliths whenever exposed to water. Worse y...

The Devil's Party (1938) is a gritty crime drama from Universal Pictures that tells the story of Marty Malone, a former street gang member who has turned over a new leaf and become a respected firefighter. When a murder implicates one of his old friends, Marty is forced back into the dangerous wo...

The Night of the Hunter (1955), directed by Charles Laughton in his only directorial effort, is a visually striking and psychologically intense thriller. Robert Mitchum stars as Reverend Harry Powell, a murderous con man posing as a preacher who marries a widow to find hidden loot from a robbery....

Below the Deadline (1946), directed by William Beaudine, is a low-budget but fast-paced crime drama from Monogram Pictures. The film follows Joe Hilton, a former convict who is trying to start fresh and leave his criminal past behind. However, circumstances—and old acquaintances—draw him back int...

Blood on the Sun (1945), starring James Cagney and directed by Frank Lloyd, is a gripping wartime espionage thriller set in pre-World War II Japan. Cagney plays Nick Condon, a hard-nosed American journalist working for the Tokyo Chronicle who uncovers the infamous “Tanaka Plan,” a secret Japanese...

I'll Name the Murderer (1936), directed by Raymond K. Johnson, is a fast-paced mystery-thriller that captures the gritty underbelly of 1930s nightlife. The story follows newspaper columnist Tommy Tilton, who takes on the investigation of a murder at a local nightclub. As he dives deeper into the ...

Chasing Trouble (1940), directed by Howard Bretherton, is a light-hearted spy comedy from Monogram Pictures that blends wartime intrigue with slapstick humor. The film stars Frankie Darro as Jimmy "Cupid" O'Brien, a delivery boy for a flower shop who unwittingly stumbles upon a Nazi spy ring oper...

The Fatal Hour (1940), directed by William Nigh, is a classic mystery thriller featuring Boris Karloff as the astute and composed detective James Lee Wong. When a police officer is found murdered, Mr. Wong is called in to assist with the case. His investigation leads deep into the San Francisco w...

Gang War (1958), directed by Gene Fowler Jr., is a taut crime drama that captures the paranoia and danger of ordinary life intersecting with organized crime. The story centers on Alan Avery, a mild-mannered schoolteacher who becomes the sole witness to a brutal mob murder. When he reports the cri...

The Last Alarm (1940), directed by William West, is a fast-paced action-drama centered on a retired fire captain drawn back into service when a wave of suspicious fires plagues the city. As the arsonist strikes again and again, the captain becomes personally involved in uncovering the truth and b...

Great Guy (1936), directed by John G. Blystone, features James Cagney in a rare role as a principled city employee. He plays Johnny Cave, an ex-boxer turned deputy commissioner of weights and measures, who refuses to bow to political pressure or bribery. As he takes on dishonest businessmen and c...

Boy in Court (1940), directed by David H. Lion, is a 10-minute black-and-white advocacy film that promotes the role of juvenile probation services. The story follows Johnny, a 15-year-old who is caught stealing a car. Instead of facing incarceration, Johnny is placed on probation, allowing him to...

Unforgotten Crime (1942), also known as The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine, is a crime-comedy directed by Bernard Vorhaus. The film follows radio personality Mike Jason (Dennis O'Keefe), who, in an effort to boost his show's ratings, offers a $10,000 reward to anyone who can locate the legendary safe...

Mr. Roberts (1955), directed by John Ford and Mervyn LeRoy, is a celebrated World War II comedy-drama based on the hit Broadway play. The film stars Henry Fonda as Lieutenant Doug Roberts, a dedicated but frustrated naval officer stationed on a backwater cargo ship. Craving combat duty, Roberts f...

Hollywood Hollywood (1937), better known by its original title Something to Sing About, is a sharp and entertaining musical satire directed by Victor Schertzinger and starring James Cagney in a rare musical role. The film follows Terry Rooney, a charismatic New York bandleader who gets his big br...

Rolling Home (1946) is a heartfelt rural drama that explores redemption, connection, and small-town values in post-war America. The story centers around a kind-hearted minister, Reverend David Owens, who crosses paths with a down-on-his-luck rodeo veteran and his young grandson. When their injure...

Rogues Tavern (1936) is a moody murder mystery set within the confines of an eerie, snowbound inn. The film follows private detective Jimmy Kelly and his fiancée, who arrive at the Red Rock Tavern to elope—only to find themselves trapped with a group of strangers as a series of brutal killings un...

Hearts in Bondage (1936) is a Civil War-era drama that blends historical conflict with personal struggles of loyalty and love. The story follows two naval officers and close friends—one siding with the Union, the other with the Confederacy—who find their bond tested as the nation fractures. Again...

Kid Dynamite (1943) is a lively urban crime-comedy featuring the beloved East Side Kids in one of their most action-packed adventures. When Muggs McGinnis, a scrappy teenage boxer, is kidnapped before a big match and framed for misconduct, it’s up to his gang of loyal friends to clear his name an...

Killer Dill (1947), produced by Sam Coslow, is a lighthearted and offbeat crime comedy that blends gangster parody with classic screwball antics. The film stars Stuart Erwin as Johnny Dill, a meek and mild-mannered lingerie salesman in 1930s Chicago who dreams of being more confident and respecte...

Only the Valiant (1951), produced by William Cagney Productions, is a gripping Western war film set in the post-Civil War American frontier. Starring Gregory Peck as Captain Richard Lance, the story follows a principled and disciplined cavalry officer who is given a dangerous mission: to hold off...

Eyes in the Night (1942), produced by Jack Chertok, is a stylish and suspenseful mystery thriller that introduced audiences to the character of Duncan Maclain, a blind detective with remarkable intellect and intuition. Played by Edward Arnold, Maclain relies on his acute senses and the assistance...

Forgotten Crime (1942), produced by Jack Schwarz, is a compelling low-budget crime drama that centers on justice, memory, and redemption. The story follows a man who is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, and as he fights to prove his innocence, he uncovers a web of corruption and deceit. With h...

Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police (1939), produced by Stuart Walker, is part of the long-running British-American film series based on the adventures of the fictional detective and adventurer Captain Hugh “Bulldog” Drummond. In this installment, Drummond prepares for his wedding when a mysterious ...

Young and Innocent (1937), produced by Edward Black and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is a tense British thriller that blends suspense, romance, and a gripping chase narrative. The film follows Robert Tisdall, a young man wrongly accused of murdering a famous actress. When the police dismiss his ...

Directed by Seth Ferranti
Step into the shadows of North St. Louis with Night Life, a raw and powerful documentary that follows Reverend Kenneth McKoy — the “Pastor of the Streets” — as he patrols the city’s toughest neighborhoods between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. With gun violence, addiction, and menta...

Psychedelic Revolution: The Secret History of the LSD Trade
Directed by Seth Ferranti
Uncover the untold story of the underground LSD movement that helped shape an era. In Psychedelic Revolution, ex-con turned filmmaker Seth Ferranti dives deep into the secretive world of acid chemists, countercu...

Borderline (1950), produced by Milton Sperling, is a gripping crime thriller that blends undercover intrigue with a touch of romance and noir stylings. The film stars Claire Trevor as a policewoman sent undercover to infiltrate a Mexican drug-smuggling ring. There, she encounters Fred MacMurray, ...

Crime, Inc. (1945), produced by Sam Katzman, is a taut, semi-documentary-style crime drama that dives into the dark underworld of organized crime in mid-20th-century America. The story follows fearless investigative reporter Jim Riley, who goes undercover to infiltrate and expose a powerful crimi...

The Cocaine Fiends (1935), produced by Willis Kent, is a classic exploitation film aimed at warning audiences about the perils of drug abuse. Also known under the title The Pace That Kills, the film follows the story of a naive young woman who is lured into a life of addiction by a smooth-talking...

Something to Sing About (1937) stars James Cagney as Terry Rooney, a successful New York bandleader who is lured to Hollywood to make it big in pictures. When studio executives try to manipulate his public image and suppress his identity to manufacture a star, Terry pushes back against the system...

Lost in the Stratosphere (1934) is a high-flying pre-WWII military drama that pairs romance, rivalry, and aviation heroics. The film follows two U.S. Army Air Corps pilots—Lieutenant Tom Cooper and Lieutenant Richard Wood—whose close friendship is put to the test when they both fall for the same ...

The Cocaine Fiends (1935), produced by Willis Kent, is a classic exploitation film aimed at warning audiences about the perils of drug abuse. Also known under the title The Pace That Kills, the film follows the story of a naive young woman who is lured into a life of addiction by a smooth-talking...

Underworld (1927) is a landmark silent-era gangster film directed by Josef von Sternberg and produced by Paramount Pictures. Widely considered the blueprint for the modern crime drama, this visually stunning and narratively groundbreaking film tells the story of 'Bull' Weed, a notorious bootlegge...