Femmes fatales, hardboiled heroines and the poor saps that fall for them are the focus of the Humboldt County Library’s latest “Based on the Book” movie series, Dark City Dames: the Women of Film Noir. “Based on the Book” is a quarterly series, offering classic film screenings every Tuesday night in July at the Main library branch in Eureka.

“Film noir perfected a character rarely seen in movies up to that point—the powerful, complicated, formidable woman,” said Michael Logan, Humboldt County Library employee and series co-organizer. “And this being film noir, they turn out to be tempted by the same things their male counterparts are: power, lust, greed, revenge. Throw in a little smoldering attraction, some snappy dialogue, and a fair amount of action, and you’ve got some very interesting and entertaining films.”

July’s movies will be hosted by Wynston Jones, former film instructor, actor and screenwriter; Bob Doran, Arts & Entertainment Editor for the North Coast Journal; and Charlie Myers, former HSU film instructor and current film critic for the North Coast Journal.

July 7:  Born to Kill (1947)—Hosted by Wynston Jones

Based on the novel Deadlier than the Male by James Gunn, Born to Kill is the story of a menacing psychotic and the ruthless socialite that loves him. Their fatal attraction puts the “noir” in film noir. Directed by Robert Wise and starring Lawrence Tierney and Claire Trevor.