1950s Noir Starlet Finally Receives Screen Credit 67 Years Later

Noir starlet Virginia Lee played the pivotal role of Jeannie in the infamous bar scene in the 1950 film noir classic, D.O.A. She was never credited for her pivotal role in the film. Now, in director Alex Webb's modern-day noir thriller To The Flame, Lee finally gets her name in the credits thanks to a bit of movie magic.

To the Flame will receive its American premiere on March 23, 2018 at The Museum of the Moving Image as part of The Queens World Film Festival. In the film, Kyle is going nowhere fast in his community college film class until he stumbles upon a twisted couple while interviewing neighbors for class. When he becomes obsessed with them, he realizes he's made a big mistake. To the Flame was nominated for Best Feature at the Madrid International Film Festival, where it made its world premiere.

The screening will feature an introduction and post-screening Q&A led by 2018 Oscar-nominated director Yance Ford(Strong Island).

To The Flame combines the dark vision of a David Lynch film with the deadpan comedy of Christopher Guest. Featuring a multicultural cast and crew including Ari Brand (My Name is Asher Lev) as Kyle, Jasmine Carmichael (Sneaky Pete,Romeo and Juliet in Harlem) as Penny, Shirleyann Kaladjian (John Waters' A Dirty Shame) as Barb, Maul Donte Davis(Blue Caprice) as Sam, and Alex Webb (House of Cards, Boardwalk Empire, Daredevil, Boiler Room and Prime with Meryl Streep) as Dick.

"To The Flame is filled with references and homage to all things noir," said Webb. "So it was thrilling to feature an excerpt of one of the film noir greats. I loved Virginia Lee's performance as the flirtatious Jeannie. Edmond O'Brien is so entranced by her that he doesn't notice his drink being spiked with a "luminous toxin" which launches the rest of the film. It's shocking that Lee wasn't credited considering what a great scene it is and how important it is to the plot. I think noir fans everywhere will appreciate seeing her name up there."

The Queens World Film Festival is set to return to the Museum of the Moving Image and Kaufman Astoria Studios March 15 - 25 2018 with exciting, topical, bold, and entertaining features and shorts including narratives, documentaries, LGBTQ, and animated work.

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