Young Man With A Horn

From its innuendo laden title, to its genre defying execution, Young Man With A Horn is something of a curiosity. Kirk Douglas stars as Rick Martin, a passionate jazz musician who works his way from nowhere to become a renowned trumpeter. While the plot sounds like that of a traditional musical biopic, the expressionist styling is pure noir, an odd combination that lends a weight and solemnity to the film, making it a true one of a kind.

Douglas takes centre stage, but it is undoubtedly Bacall's turn as Amy North that steals the show. Her character is unquestionably signposted as queer, and the film was actually banned in several countries upon its initial release. Viewed today, it is almost impossible not to read every line of dialogue Bacall utters as a direct metaphor for her masked sexuality.