Apparently Martin Scorcese had called this his "favourite New York film." Whether that kind of auspicious praise will ever result in Blast of Silence rising from the shroud of obscurity is doubtful. Director and star Allen Baron ends his commentary by voicing his support for auteur-ism, and Blast of Silence is the kind of singular, ugly vision that's destined to remain cult. I'd assume that Scorcese's love of the film largely comes from its cinematography. The fact that this movie even got made is largely because of its threadbare budget. Studios allowed Noirs with little mainstream appeal to be made because they were generally cheap and their dark thrills appealed to enough people that they made money. Blast's budget was so tiny, they simply went around New York stealing shots, with actually late 50s New York streets populated by actual late 50s New York people. Baron chose to only shoot on overcast days, so that the film had a uniformly grim look. The result is incredible, and the dingyness of the Greenwich Village or waterfront locations only add to the mood of the film. But what Scorcese might really be saying is that Blast is a key influence for a film like Taxi Driver. For a film this steeped in misanthropy and undiluted hate to be released in 1961 is amazing, and the fact that almost no one saw it and Baron gained little acclaim for it is not a surprise. The lead actor pulled out at the last minute after being offered a paying role, so Baron screen tested for the role himself, and ended up giving himself the part. The voice-over says it all: Baby Boy Frankie Bono was born in pain and raised in an orphanage. He hates almost everyone and is only comfortable when alone. In fact, he dreads having to interact with anyone. Fortunately, he's found an ideal profession as a contract killer. When he bumps into some of his fellow orphans, fully grown and living in New York, Bono's feelings throw him off his game. Lorrie sees his loneliness and, through her compassion, makes Bono see that he could have a better life. But Blast of Silence is pure Noir, and we all know what fate has in store for Bono. By the time he realizes her kindness stems from pity rather than romance, he's already given his employers the impression that he's cracking up, and guaranteed that this job would be his last. The seam of vicious ugliness that runs through this film remains visceral to this day. Seeing as Peckinpah's Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia was skewered upon release in 1974 for its bleak vision, Blast of Silence didn't stand a chance in 1961. Blessed with an abundance of compelling visuals and a single-minded plot far ahead of its time, it's truly a lost gem. Baron ultimately retired from films and is probably best known for directing episodes of Charlie's Angels, but, if you ask me, he's got one masterpiece in his resume. And what a cold, dark masterpiece it is.
Review of Blast of Silence
