IMDb > Murder by Contract (1958)

Murder by Contract (1958) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   309 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 10% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Ben Simcoe (writer)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Murder by Contract on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
December 1958 (USA) more
Tagline:
It's Kill or Be Killed!
Plot:
Claude is a ruthless and efficient contract killer - until he finds his next target is a woman. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
NewsDesk:
(5 articles)
New On DVD This Week
 (From The Flickcast. 3 November 2009, 3:35 PM, PST)

This Week On DVD and Blu-ray: November 3, 2009
 (From Rope Of Silicon. 3 November 2009, 4:53 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Nearly Flawless more (15 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Vince Edwards ... Claude
Phillip Pine ... Marc
Herschel Bernardi ... George
Caprice Toriel ... Billie Williams
Michael Granger ... Mr. Moon
Kathie Browne ... Mary - Secretary / Party Girl (as Cathy Browne)
Joseph Mell ... Harry - Hotel Room Waiter
Frances Osborne ... Miss Wiley, ex-maid
Steven Ritch ... Detective shooting Tear Gas
Janet Brandt
Davis Roberts ... Hall of Records clerk
Don Garrett ... James William Mayflower - Plainclothesman
Gloria Victor ... Miss Wexley - Bunco Squad
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
81 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Shot in seven days. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in I Know Who Killed Me (2007) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
20 out of 22 people found the following comment useful.
Nearly Flawless, 11 September 2003
9/10
Author: secragt from United States

Frankly, I came in expecting little from this totally anonymous abbreviated 50s crime drama and left the theatre shocked at how much bang for my 67 minutes I got. I am hard-pressed to think of another movie of this length which accomplishes as much plotwise or entertains as much audiencewise as this thoroughly neglected late-50s gem.

Vince Edwards leaps off the screen with amazing charisma to burn and Bernardi and Pine are nearly as effective as the hapless bumbling mobsters assigned to chaperone him through his contract. Conflict, wit, suspense, and outright humor abounds in this simultaneously clever and tense little script. Even the non-existent production values are completely camouflaged by economic and nimbly staged set-pieces.

Good performances, nifty cinematography (some good POV work), and a satisfyingly unconventional script make this slightly warped b-movie a classic which deserves far, far more attention than it has received in the last forty years. Melodramatic? Hell yeah. But in the best self-aware and crowd-pleasing tradition. 9/10 and highly worthy of the time of any crime drama or noir fan. Trust me.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (15 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Murder by Contract (1958)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
coming to Dvd Nov. 2009 CatTales
The 'party girl' (Kathie Browne) -- huh? huboon
Score xmasparty_2003
final scene Jmart215
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Blast of Silence Eraser Fury Assassins The Enforcer
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.