Claude is a ruthless and efficient contract killer. His next target, a woman, is the most difficult.
Direction
Lerner stretches $18K into pure shadow and negative space.
Writing
Dialogue so dry it could start a fire.
Cinematography
LA becomes alien landscape through cheap ingenuity.
Director
Irving Lerner
Vince Edwards
Claude
Phillip Pine
Marc
Herschel Bernardi
George
Caprice Toriel
Billie Williams
Michael Granger
Mr. Moon
Kathie Browne
Mary
Joseph Mell
Harry
Frances Osborne
Miss Wiley
Steven Ritch
Detective shooting Tear Gas
Janet Brandt
Woman in Movie Theater
Davis Roberts
Hall of Records Clerk
Joanne Arnold
Miss Wexley
William H. O'Brien
Hotel Take-Out Delivery Man (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Scorsese screened this constantly while prepping Taxi Driver; the barber shop scene is practically shot-for-shot in Mean Streets.
Shot in seven days for $18,000—roughly what studio noirs spent on catering.
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Reactions from the web
a great little noir.... lots of ideas in it ...
@ricardolorrio8228 1
Murder by contract 1958.
@PhilMitchell-p7t9g 1
Very very dark film...psychopathic. no soul or compassion.🤔😞😲
@leonardohummel8658 2
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