Film Branch Presents:
Shadows & Secrets: A Film Noir Series
Twelve Rare and Restored Classics Illuminate the Screen in Ojai
Sundays, May 3 – July 26, 2026
Individual $10 tickets available at the door or buy a pass to see all twelve films for $75.
The Ojai Art Center invites film lovers to step into the dark, seductive world of classic cinema with “Shadows & Secrets: A Film Noir Series,” a twelve-week celebration of one of Hollywood’s most enduring genres. Curated and presented by film historian Steve Grumette, the series runs most Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. from May 3 through July 26 at the Ojai Art Center Theater.
Unlike many noir retrospectives that revisit the same well-known titles, “Shadows & Secrets” showcases rare, restored, and rediscovered films—many unavailable to general audiences for decades. The series offers audiences a chance to experience these atmospheric classics on the big screen, in the dark, surrounded by fellow film lovers.
“Film noir is not just a genre—it’s a state of mind,” curator Steve Grumette said. “These films were created by artists who had witnessed the darker side of human nature and turned it into unforgettable cinema. I wanted to bring Ojai audiences films they’ve almost certainly never seen, presented in restorations that have never looked better.”
Featured Films
The twelve-film lineup spans the golden age of noir, highlighting powerful performances, groundbreaking direction, and unforgettable cinematography.
May 3 - The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) Barbara Stanwyck delivers one of her most dangerous performances in this gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
May 10 - The Hitch-Hiker (1953) The first American film noir directed by a woman, Ida Lupino’s chilling road thriller unfolds with relentless tension and stark realism.
May 17 - Scarlet Street (1945) Fritz Lang’s masterful study of obsession and moral collapse features a haunting performance by Edward G. Robinson.
May 24 - Kansas City Confidential (1952) A lean crime thriller following a wrongly accused man navigating a maze of deception to find the real culprits.
May 31 - The Naked City (1948) Shot entirely on location in New York, this Criterion-restored classic transforms the city itself into a character.
June 7 - Panic in the Streets (1950) A noir-inflected public health thriller directed by Elia Kazan set in New Orleans, where a murder investigation reveals a deadly plague outbreak
June 14 - He Walked by Night (1948) Famous for its striking visual style by cinematographer John Alton, including a legendary climax set in the Los Angeles storm drains.
June 21 - Woman on the Run (1950) Once nearly lost to history, this restored gem follows a wife who discovers the man she thought she knew may be a stranger.
July 5 - Too Late for Tears (1949) Featuring one of the most ruthless femme fatales in film noir history.
July 12 - The Prowler (1951) A chilling story of corruption and ambition, directed by Joseph Losey, starring Van Heflin as a cop whose moral compass completely vanished.
July 19 - Raw Deal (1948) John Alton’s extraordinary cinematography and haunting narration elevate this hard-boiled tale of love and crime.
July 26 - The Big Combo (1955) The series concludes with one of noir’s most visually striking films, renowned for its bold cinematography and unforgettable climax.
Unlike many noir retrospectives that revisit the same well-known titles, “Shadows & Secrets” showcases rare, restored, and rediscovered films—many unavailable to general audiences for decades. The series offers audiences a chance to experience these atmospheric classics on the big screen, in the dark, surrounded by fellow film lovers.
“Film noir is not just a genre—it’s a state of mind,” curator Steve Grumette said. “These films were created by artists who had witnessed the darker side of human nature and turned it into unforgettable cinema. I wanted to bring Ojai audiences films they’ve almost certainly never seen, presented in restorations that have never looked better.”
Featured Films
The twelve-film lineup spans the golden age of noir, highlighting powerful performances, groundbreaking direction, and unforgettable cinematography.
May 3 - The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) Barbara Stanwyck delivers one of her most dangerous performances in this gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
May 10 - The Hitch-Hiker (1953) The first American film noir directed by a woman, Ida Lupino’s chilling road thriller unfolds with relentless tension and stark realism.
May 17 - Scarlet Street (1945) Fritz Lang’s masterful study of obsession and moral collapse features a haunting performance by Edward G. Robinson.
May 24 - Kansas City Confidential (1952) A lean crime thriller following a wrongly accused man navigating a maze of deception to find the real culprits.
May 31 - The Naked City (1948) Shot entirely on location in New York, this Criterion-restored classic transforms the city itself into a character.
June 7 - Panic in the Streets (1950) A noir-inflected public health thriller directed by Elia Kazan set in New Orleans, where a murder investigation reveals a deadly plague outbreak
June 14 - He Walked by Night (1948) Famous for its striking visual style by cinematographer John Alton, including a legendary climax set in the Los Angeles storm drains.
June 21 - Woman on the Run (1950) Once nearly lost to history, this restored gem follows a wife who discovers the man she thought she knew may be a stranger.
July 5 - Too Late for Tears (1949) Featuring one of the most ruthless femme fatales in film noir history.
July 12 - The Prowler (1951) A chilling story of corruption and ambition, directed by Joseph Losey, starring Van Heflin as a cop whose moral compass completely vanished.
July 19 - Raw Deal (1948) John Alton’s extraordinary cinematography and haunting narration elevate this hard-boiled tale of love and crime.
July 26 - The Big Combo (1955) The series concludes with one of noir’s most visually striking films, renowned for its bold cinematography and unforgettable climax.
Past Film Branch Screening Trailers
Past Film Branch Screenings
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
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1939 Academy Award Winner For Special Effects THE RAINS CAME
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AMMELIE
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PUMP
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FINNEGANS WAKE
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BEYOND THE SURFACE
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