Inside L.A. Confidential (1997): Policing, Politics, and Power Plays

February 13, 2025
00:00 01:34:52
Listen on Your Favorite App
Exploring L.A. Confidential with Frank Scalise: Deep Dive into Neo-Noir
This time we feature author and podcaster Frank Scalise, who brings his rich background as a high-ranking police officer into the mix. Together, we dive headfirst into the world of the film and book 'L.A. Confidential.' Released as a book in 1990 and adapted into a film in 1997, 'L.A. Confidential' is a neo-noir crime drama set in 1950s Los Angeles. We discuss everything from the gritty reality and complex characters to themes of police corruption and crime. Frank gives his expert take on the portrayal of law enforcement through the lens of both historical context and modern-day perspectives. Learn how the cultural setting of the time influenced the storyline and character arcs, and hear behind-the-scenes stories about the cast and the making of the movie. Don't miss our speculation on what could have been a groundbreaking TV adaptation! 
01:12 Exploring the Neo-Noir Genre
04:06 James Ellroy's Personal Connection
12:34 Themes of Police Corruption
16:07 Historical Context of Police Corruption
21:00 Character Analysis: Bud White
35:27 Character Analysis: Jack Vincennes
44:40 Reinvention in 1950s LA
46:52 Conflict and Growth in LA
51:40 Police Corruption and Crime
59:23 Character Analysis and Themes
01:08:52 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Transcript URL: https://share.descript.com/view/wqHDxPxW7H4
You can learn more about Beyond the Big Screen and subscribe at all these great places:
https://atozhistorypage.start.page
www.beyondthebigscreen.com
Click to Subscribe:
https://www.spreaker.com/show/4926576/episodes/feed
email: steve@atozhistorypage.com
www.beyondthebigscreen.com
Parthenon Podcast Network Home:
parthenonpodcast.com
On Social Media: 
https://www.youtube.com/@atozhistory
https://www.facebook.com/groups/atozhistorypage
https://facebook.com/atozhistorypage
https://www.instagram.com/atozhistorypage/
Music Provided by:
"Crossing the Chasm" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
More Episodes
See all episodes
Meet Your Host
Steve Guerra is a historian and podcaster who hosts three different shows. He started with the History of the Papacy Podcast in 2013. In 2017, Steve began Beyond the Big Screen, a podcast that delves into the fascinating stories behind films through lively interviews. His newest show, Organized Crime and Punishment, takes a deep dive into the roots, evolution, and impact of organized crime across different cultures and countries.
Podcasts About Sign Up Contact