Noir City Xmas conjurs holiday spirit with a dash of darkness

The Film Noir Foundation is hosting its second NOIR CITY XMAS on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at San Francisco’s Castro Theatre. Before the show, the foundation will unveil the full schedule for the NOIR CITY X film noir festival, January 20-29, 2012, at the Castro.

Here are foundation’s descriptions of the flicks:

First on the bill, at 7:30 p.m., is Charles David’s “Lady on a Train” (1945). Nikki Collins (Deanna Durbin) witnesses a murder while waiting for a train, but can’t get the police to believe her when no body is discovered. She enlists the help of a mystery writer to sleuth out the culprits on her own. This wildly entertaining mix of comedy, music and suspense features a superb cast of sinister and suspicious supporting players.

Robert Siodmak’s soul-crushing “Christmas Holiday” (1944) follows at 9:20 p.m. A young soldier gets more than he bargained for on a holiday stop-over in New Orleans when he is introduced to a young “singer” (prostitute) and a local “nightclub” (brothel) and he learns the tale of her descent into degradation. Deanna Durbin is memorable in her first adult role, and Gene Kelly is unforgettable as the murderous cad with whom she tragically falls in love.

Tickets available at the door the day of show, $10 for both screenings.