Complete credited cast: | |||
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Ira Rubin | ... | Murray |
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Sam DeFazio | ... | Joe |
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Andrea Martin | ... | Wife |
Catherine Scorsese | ... | Mother | |
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Robert Uricola | ... | Singer |
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Bernard Weisberger | ||
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Victor Magnotta | ||
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Richard Sweeton | ||
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John Bivona |
Now middle-aged, mobster Murray looks back at his humble beginnings as a bootlegger and his rise to becoming wealthy and highly influential. Through it he talks about how much of his success and happiness is due to the support of his "friend" Joe. Unfortunately the only one who blindly believes Joe is anything close to a friend is Murray, because it's obvious to everyone that Joe back-stabs him at every chance and is sleeping with his wife. Written by Cristian Redferne
Out of his earlier works, I would say Italianamerica is my favourite, but this short film is just as important.
Not to be compared with his more serious works, Scorsese's short film is a comedy piece where we are introduced to the life of a small time hood - Murray, who is oblivious to the fact that even his best friend is betraying him. This gives way for some interesting set pieces.
This film could have been a start of Scorsese's interaction with mob life. The ideas of male bonding etc, are used here, and will later be seen in Mean Streets in 73. Mean Streets was also influenced by I Viteloni by Fellini - so if you are interested in Scorsese's work, and how it came to be, watch that film.
If you are a Scorsese fan, you must see this - as it helps you understand his later works. Also recommended : Italianamerica/Big Shave/what's a nice girl like you doing in...
See some Truffaut to - for technique.