David Goodis
Philadelphia's Noir Prince
“After a while it gets so bad that you want to stop the whole business. You figure that there’s no use in trying to fight back. Things are set dead against you and the sooner you give up the better. It’s like a mile run. You’re back there in seventh place and there isn’t a chance in the world. The feet are burning, the lungs are bursting, and all you want to do is fall down and take a rest.”
----First paragraph of David Goodis’ first novel Retreat from Oblivion (1939).
David Goodis surrounded by Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart. Notice the lines of B&B's clothing and Bogart's real hairline. Photo courtesy of April Feld Sandor.
So began the writing career of David Goodis. Typical Goodis. A statement of frustration, introducing a tale of gloom, depression and despair. Noir at its blackest.
David Goodis was Philadelphia’s noir prince. After graduating from Temple University in 1938, Goodis moved to New York where he wrote advertising copy, radio scripts and thousands of words for pulp magazines. In the mid-1940’s he was in Hollywood as a screenwriter. He crashed and returned to his parents’ home in Philadelphia, where he churned out novels and short stories, depicting the bleakness and darkness of lives in free fall.
Who was David Goodis and why did he write as he did?
Goodis film probes 'dark tendencies' and hidden lives
Click for details.
New: 2010 Goodis Memorial and Tour
New: Truffaut and Goodis
New: Mike Dennis reviews The Blonde on the Street Corner
New: Mike Dennis reviews Cassidy's Girl
A mile outside the City Between Two Rivers, January Cold came in, formed four walls around them and closed in on the Thirteen. Gathered to remember the Prince of Noir, they read from his works, told tales, and raised his Shade from the bleak grave.
On January 25, 2009, just hours before the 42nd anniversary of the death of David Goodis according to the Hebrew calendar, 13 militant Goodisheads gathered at Roosevelt Cemetery to remember Philadelphia's Prince of Noir.
Introduction to 2009 Goodis Memorial
Portions of Goodis' writings selected for ceremony
Larry Withers' You Tube on the ceremony
Duane Swierczynski's blog on the ceremony
You Tubes by Duane Swierczynski
Duane Swierczynski's blog on "Relics of a Noir Writer"
Peter Rozovsky's blog on the ceremony
Louis Boxer's photos of the ceremony
In September 1966, David Goodis' mother died. Harold Silver sent David Goodis a basket of fruit. David Goodis sent the following note to Harold Silver. (Photos by Louis Boxer)
Design by Michael Gabriel
Click to:
NoirCon 2010, a celebration of International Noir writing and film.
NoirCon 2008, a celebration of Philadephia Noir writing and film.
GoodisCON, a conference celebrating the 90th anniversary of the birth and the 40th anniversary of the death of David Goodis.
Death Certificate of David Goodis
D.G.'s envelop authorizing The Fugitive law suit
Louis Boxer's album of David Goodis photos.
The Soul of David Goodis.
Goodis' cousin reveals the key to David's personal mystery.
David Goodis in Hollywood
Jeff Weddle's new book,
Bohemian New Orleans describes
D.G.'s failed screenplay of Four Steps to the Wall, prison novel by Jon Webb.
The final destruction of Goodisville
Free David Goodis downloads
for your E-Reader
from www.munceys.com
Cassidy's Girl
Night Squad
Email me: aaron@microbrewjournalism.com