Short Film Trailer: MONA’S NORTH BEACH NOIR. Directed by Kip Pearson

It’s San Francisco in the 1950s and post war paranoia is at its height. Mitch Marlowe (niece of detective Philip Marlowe) lands in town to start a new life…. passing as a man. She’s brash, confident and very comfortable presenting as a man. What she discovers in North Beach is a vibrant world of artists, criminals, corrupt cops, jazz clubs and the LGBTQ+ shadow world. But is it safe for her anywhere?

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Review by Andie Karvelis:

This film seems to leap from the pages of a Raymond Chandler hardboiled crime novel but with a modern twist. It’s 1950’s post war San Francisco and Phillip Marlow’s niece is new in town and decides to follow in her favorite Uncle’s footsteps. In an age where women must only be seen as women and it’s unheard of to identify as a man, Mitch Marlow has ( most ) of San Francisco fooled.


Kip Pearson wrote, produced and directed this exciting crime thriller. She captured the noir feel perfectly and gave the viewer a story that was rife with intrigue as well as empathy. An underlying theme of being LGBTQ+ and living in 1950 and having to hide who you are, who you love or how you identify will tug on your heartstrings. Ezra Reaves was beyond amazing as Mitch Marlow. The confidence, swagger, and cleverness were all wrapped up in a sensational performance that was believable and genuine. The entire cast of this film did such a marvelous job acting and making me believe this was 1950.


The Director of Photography, David Waldorf absolutely knew what he was doing. David and Donal Mooney did the coloring on the film and gave it that aged, muted colors that further drew you into the world of gumshoe detectives. The music also was very reminiscent of the era thanks to Kevin Mcleod, David Fesllyn and Tammy Lynn Hall who performed in the film.


I wish I could tell you how Mitch faired in the city of San Francisco, but you’re just going to have to stay tuned next review to find out if Mona’s was raided by corrupt coppers and our clever gumshoe Mitch is alright. Now over to you, Kip. Tell us when we find out what happened…

One thought on “Short Film Trailer: MONA’S NORTH BEACH NOIR. Directed by Kip Pearson

  1. Thanks for the nod, Andie Karvelis! 🙂

    (A quick note that there is an admin error in the film credits, and I believe there is an update that must have not been implemented at the festival you saw the film at: my name is Kevin Kaouthomn, not Kevin Mcleod. Could you edit the mention in your review to the correct name, so I can add it to my IMDb? Thanks so much! Glad you liked the performance! KK)

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