The second of Australian label Imprint’s noir releases contains a quartet of gems that are often overlooked when discussing the genre.

The earliest of the films included in the set is arguably one of the best, too. Hollywood Story (1951) is superbly directed by the legendary William Castle, showing that there was more to the man than gimmicks and ballyhoo. The story follows a film producer looking to make a movie out of an unsolved murder case that took place years earlier. It also features Julie Adams (aka Julia Adams), who was the beauty who won the Creature from the Black Lagoon’s heart. It’s a rollicking fun whodunit that gives the audience a look behind the scenes of moviemaking, albeit the sinister side.

City That Never Sleeps (1953) has the viewer trailing a disillusioned police officer on what he intends to be his last night on the force. With corruption and violence not far from the story, it’s an eventful night that even has a supernatural twist in its tail.

Plunder in the Sun (1953) transports the action away from the bleakness of the city to the exotic climes of Cuba as Glenn Ford attempts to smuggle a valuable package for a collector. Shady deals, death, and Indiana Jones-type adventure await him, though.

Private Hell 36 (1954) also deals with police corruption as an underpaid, underappreciated cop helps himself to some illicit money, much to his partner’s disgust. Ida Lupino is superb as always as a washed-up singer panhandling in bars to make a living. She also co-wrote the script, but although she was a dab hand as a director, the honours here go to the brilliant Don Siegel (Dirty Harry).

The packaging for this limited edition box set is great; each film is presented in their respective boxes (and assigned individual Imprint numbers for those collecting them all) and the box itself is a hard case with a pull-off lid. Each film has an admirable amount of special features, too. They all contain commentaries (all brand new except for Plunder in the Sun) and critical insight and archive featurettes that add more perspective on the movies.

While the films included in the set may not be what you think of when film noir is mentioned, they do display how varied the genre could be and are fun adventure pictures with their own merits.