Tonight's Movie: The Big Combo (1955) - An Ignite Films Blu-ray Review

I first saw THE BIG COMBO (1955) in 2012, as part of a special "noir" evening at the historic Million Dollar Theater in Downtown Los Angeles.I was relatively new to film noir then, and THE BIG COMBO initially baffled me a bit, but before very long I was completely caught up in its magic.As I wrote 14 years ago: "...as the film went on, I found myself falling under its spell, thanks to a combination of unforgettably staged set pieces and the stunning black and white cinematography of John Alton. For anyone who wants to know what film noir looks like, this film is Exhibit A. What at first had appeared cartoonish gradually seemed to morph into high style, taking the viewer on something of a noir thrill ride."My love for THE BIG COMBO has only deepened with successive viewings over the years, so I'm especially happy to say that the film is now available in an impressive 70th Anniversary edition from Ignite Films.The print is a digital restoration from the 35mm "fine grain," with audio…