Pippin (philosophy, U. of Chicago) looks at the philosophical questions raised in film noir of the 1940s, especially the question of individual causal agency and related questions of self-knowledge and moral responsibility. The author claims that Hegel's approach is the most relevant to issues raised by noir films and the actions (or inactions) of their protagonists and femme fatales. Individual chapters are devoted to three films: The Lady from Shanghai, Scarlet Street, and Out of the Past. The book is illustrated with b&w film stills. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)