Le Film Noir et Lefont

I had to wipe up my drool when I found out that George Lefont's annual French film fest is featuring film noir this time. The rundown courtesy of Accessatlanta:

Premiere party, with "Elevator to the Gallows," Louis Malle's 1958 thriller with Jeanne Moreau. (By reservation: 404-495-1684; $15; reception at 7:15 p.m.; screening 8 p.m. Thursday).

All films -- $5.50 before 6 p.m.; $5.50-$8 after; $27 series pass -- does not include premiere party. At Lefont Garden Hills Cinema, 2835 Peachtree Road N.E. 404-266-2022, 404-495-1684.

DEC. 5

• "Rififi" (1955; 2:40 and 7:20 p.m.) -- A jewel heist is at the heart of this crime drama with a memorable -- and silent -- robbery that lasts 30 minutes.

• "Bob le Flambeur" (1955; 5:10 and 9:50 p.m.) -- Director Jean-Pierre Melville's drama about an aging gangster and gambler with plans to knock off a casino. The film was remade recently as "The Good Thief" with Nick Nolte.

DEC. 6

• Bob Le Flambeur" (3 and 7:30 p.m.).

• "Tchao Pantin" (1983; 5:10 and 9:40 p.m. -- An alcoholic gas station attendant seeks revenge when his friend, a drug dealer, is killed.

DEC. 7

• "Tchao Pantin" (2:45 and 7:30 p.m.).

• "Any Number Can Win" (1963; 5 and 9:40 p.m.) -- A casino caper movie from director Henri Verneuil.

DEC. 8

• "Any Number Can Win" (2:20 and 7:20 p.m.) --

• "Purple Noon" (1960; 4:50 and 9:50 p.m.) -- Director Rene Clement's stunning version of "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is far superior to Anthony Minghella's more recent film. (Here's a review of a new biography of Patricia Highsmith, author of The Talented Mr. Ripley and Strangers on a Train.)

DEC. 9

• "Purple Noon" (2:55 and 7:20 p.m.).

• "Shoot the Piano Player" (5:25 and 9:45 p.m.) -- François Truffaut's 1960 romantic thriller about a one-time virtuoso now playing piano in a bar.

DEC. 10

• "Shoot the Piano Player" (3:25 and 7:30 p.m.).

• "Elevator to the Gallows" (5:25 and 9:30 p.m.).

DEC. 11

• "Elevator to the Gallows" (2:55 and 7:30 p.m.).

• "Riffi" (5 and 9:35 p.m.).

The festival will be followed by a weeklong run of a new 35mm print of Jacques Becker's 1953 thriller "Hands off the Loot."

For those who are new to the genre, I'd strongly recommend Rififi, Bob le Flambeur and Shoot the Piano Player. And yes, these films really need to be seen on a big screen.