Noir City: Blast of Silence

(1961) dir Allen Baron w/Allen Baron, Molly McCarthy, Larry Tucker, Peter Clune [77 min; 35mm]

This maverick independent production from the end of the classic noir era, shot entirely on location in New York, tracks a stoic hit-man (played by director Baron himself) returning to his home turf for what’s meant to be a quick, efficient assignment. Fate, guilt, and double-crosses intervene. One of the bleakest crime films ever, highlighted by a unique, omniscient ‘second person’ voiceover narration.