"Examined is the author's choice of best noir film represented by each studio, studio's history and formation, plot outline, careers of the star roster for each studio, as well as each producer, director, screenwriter, camera man, composer, art and set directors, a critique of each film as well as a series of stills that represent noir style"--;Allied Artists and the Gangster (1947) -- Columbia Pictures and Gilda (1946) -- Eagle-Lion Studios and Hollow triumph aka the Scar (1948) -- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and the Asphalt jungle (1950) -- Monogram Pictures and I wouldn't be in your shoes (1948) -- Paramount Pictures and Double indemnity (1944) -- Producers Releasing Corporation and Detour (1945) -- Republic Pictures and House by the river (1950) -- RKO Radio Pictures and Out of the past (1947) -- 20th Century-Fox and Laura (1944) -- United Artists and Too late for tears (1949) -- Universal pictures and the Killers (1946) -- Warner Brothers and Possessed (1947) -- Independent production units -- The runners-up -- Conclusion.