Loretta is a first for us here at IndieGala. A brand-new game that we are very excited about. Released just last month, Loretta takes us on a seedy adventure of crime, betrayal and intrigue. We’ve had plenty of adventure games before here at IndieGala’s blog. Die Young was a cool experience for us, we must say. You can read all about it here, and purchase it here. And much like Loretta, it also had a female lead character. But none is quite like Loretta.
And What’s Loretta All About?
Developed by Yakov Butuzoff and published by Dangen Entertainment, Loretta is a casual adventure game. It’s a psychological thriller that makes the player an accessory to the heroine’s crimes, leading her through a self-crafted nightmare.
Loretta’s story revolves around a woman handling betrayal, her husband’s infidelity, and reclaiming her agency. All during the socially tumultuous 1940s. Loretta is a psychological thriller that makes the player an accessory to the heroine’s crimes, leading her through a self-crafted nightmare. Furthermore, it’s a game that’s conceptually inspired by film noir. From the art of Andrew Wyeth and Edward Hopper. To the works of Alfred Hitchcock, Philip Ridley, Stephen King and Vladimir Nabokov. Check it out now.
Loretta is available for purchase here.
Loretta & Some Cool 40’s Movies
So, which movies go well with Loretta? Movies from the ’40s of course. Especially psychological thrillers that are actually from the 40s. We’ve not paid enough respect to the oldies in my humble opinion, and I think it’s time to amend that. So, here are some of the finest movies from the 40s that blend perfectly with Loretta.
Double Indemnity
A true crime noir from the ’40s. And a movie that’s a must-watch for every film buff out there. Some consider it to be Billy Wilder’s early masterpiece. While others hail it as a classic that set the standard for noir. Either way, it’s filled to the brim with great camera work, fine screenplay and fantastic performances from Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson and Fred MacMurray. It’s got deception, intrigue, lies and murder. And despite the somewhat slow pace, its reputation grew over the decades even more. What started as just a murder film story, developed into a expose of the depths of depravity, greed, lust, and betrayal.
Fun fact: The house used as Barbara Stanwyck’s character’s home still stands today at 6301 Quebec Drive.
Laura
Another noir and another one from 1944. However, this time with Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, and Clifton Webb in front of the camera. And Otto Preminger behind it. But Laura has Gene Tierney in the titular role. Laura Hunt. The murdered heroine and a central character of the story. However, Laura is A psychologically complex portrait of obsession and a deliciously well-crafted murder mystery. It’s got great characters, and fantastic acting and will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Fun fact: Vincent Price always considered this to be the best movie he ever made.
The Third Man
The Third Man is truly one of Carol Reed’s finest movies. It also has Orson Wells in his prime, which is wonderful to see. However, The Third Man has murder and mastery from start to finish. But in between, it has Vienna as a setting for much of the story and some of the finest lines of dialogue ever put on film.
Set in postwar Vienna, the film centers on American Holly Martins. He arrives in the city to accept a job with his friend Harry Lime (Welles), only to learn that Lime has died. His death is suspicious for Martins so, he elects to stay in Vienna and investigate the matter.
Oh man, The Third Man is good. Like really good. Highly recommended for this article as well. Check it out.
Fun fact: Orson Welles worked one week on this film.
Gaslight
A true psychological thriller from 1944. Boy 1944 was the year for great movies. Not just psychological thrillers and noirs. Gaslight is the movie that got Ingrid Bergman her first Oscar (first out of three in total). And it’s the movie that popularized the term gaslighting. But in a nutshell, it follows a young woman whose husband slowly manipulates her into believing that she is descending into insanity.
Gaslight is also a remake of the 1940 British film of the same name, but it’s also the movie that elevated the career of Miss Bergman. Intermezzo put her on the map. But Gaslight really showcased her talent for the world to see.
Fun fact: Dame Angela Lansbury was only eighteen when she made, her theatrical movie debut.
The Lady from Shanghai
Another Orson Wells movie, because why not? This time he’s both behind the camera, and in front of it. And has Rita Hayworth (his wife) in the lead role. Confusing and at times lacking in pace at the time of release, The Lady from Shanghai is considered a true classic now. It matured with age I suppose. But while The Lady from Shanghai was being made, the marriage of Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth was disintegrating. The film was as much an effort by Welles to rekindle the old flames as it was to make a classic noir. The movie stood the test of time. Their marriage, not so much.
Fun fact: Orson Welles’ decision to have Rita Hayworth cut her hair and bleach it caused a storm of controversy. And many in Hollywood believed it contributed to the film’s poor box-office returns.
However… What’s Your Take On Loretta?
Do You Like It? And what’s your favorite movie from the ’40s? Let us know in the comment section.
