Blood on the Moon

Blood on the Moon, directed by Robert Wise and starring Robert Mitchum, is a western adapted from Luke Short's novel, following a drifting cowhand who gets pulled into a land dispute between cattle ranchers and settlers. The film is widely regarded by critics as one of the first westerns shot in a film noir style; director Wise and cinematographer Nicholas Musuraca both came from Val Lewton's film noir school, and they used infrared film for night scenes, turning clouds and rocky hills into threatening black shapes. Shortly after the film was made, RKO's new owner Howard Hughes terminated lead actress Barbara Bel Geddes's contract, reportedly deeming her "not sexy enough"; Bel Geddes later became best known for playing Miss Ellie Ewing on the television series Dallas. Who it's for: anyone curious about a film noir director and cinematographer bringing infrared photography and heavy shadow to the western genre. Who it's not for: those wanting a classic, sunlit western look, since the film deliberately favors a dark, shadow drenched visual style.