Out of the Past (1947) by the Numbers

Repeat viewings of Out of the Past (1947) have been part of my movie watching repertoire for years. It all started when I was an undergrad in college and decided it would be fun to watch movies for homework! So I took a film class. The Quiet Man (1952) almost made me turn my back on classic films forever when Out of the Past saved me. When I watched it, I was both captivated and confused. I swooned in the same way I do when in the presence of a highly charistmatic man. I was hypnotized. Repeat viewings have increased by love and adoration for the film. I've seen it in for homework and for fun. I've seen it alone and with other people. I've seen it at home and recently got an opportunity to watch it on the big screen for the first time at the Brattle theater with several Out of the Past virgins. That seminal film encouraged me to pursue my interest in classic films, to nurture a love for the past and to start this little blog, my little haven on this vast web that is the internet.

What I discovered about Out of the Past when I last viewed it on the big screen, was how many wonderful small details enrich the film. I thought it would be fun to do a project of listing some of these details by the numbers. It was quite an intense process and it was difficult to be so thorough, but I'm pleased with the results. Enjoy!

• 10 alcoholic beverages not paid for
• 2 manly chin dimples
• 36 cigarettes
• 9 matches lit
• 11 lighters lit
• 12 outfits worn by Jane Greer

• 6 dead bodies
• 2 slaps and several punches
• 5 instances of women being man-handled
• 10 beautiful metaphors
• 4 shots with the Golden Gate bridge in the background
• 6 scenes with Kirk Douglas and Robert Mitchum together (alone)
• 2 fishing rods
• 1 shot glass thrown into the fire
• 11 kisses
• 4 trenchcoats
• 6 times in which the word "cute" is used
• 131 lbs. - the weight of Eunice Leonard and the suitcases of Kathy Moffat
• 1 mean river

I'm sure I'm off by a couple of cigarettes, a slap and maybe a trenchcoat, but there you have it!