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The Honeymoon Killers

  • 19701970
  • RR
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
5.2K
YOUR RATING
Shirley Stoler in The Honeymoon Killers (1970)
Watch ’Official Trailer’
Play trailer2:06
1 Video
60 Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Romance
An obese, embittered nurse doesn't mind if her toupee-wearing boyfriend romances and fleeces other women, as long as he takes her along on his con jobs.An obese, embittered nurse doesn't mind if her toupee-wearing boyfriend romances and fleeces other women, as long as he takes her along on his con jobs.An obese, embittered nurse doesn't mind if her toupee-wearing boyfriend romances and fleeces other women, as long as he takes her along on his con jobs.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
5.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Leonard Kastle
    • Martin Scorsese(one week)
    • Donald Volkman(uncredited)
  • Writer
    • Leonard Kastle
  • Stars
    • Shirley Stoler
    • Tony Lo Bianco
    • Mary Jane Higby
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Leonard Kastle
    • Martin Scorsese(one week)
    • Donald Volkman(uncredited)
  • Writer
    • Leonard Kastle
  • Stars
    • Shirley Stoler
    • Tony Lo Bianco
    • Mary Jane Higby
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 80User reviews
    • 88Critic reviews
    • 82Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:06
    Official Trailer

    Photos60

    1 sheet
    The Honeymoon Killers (1970)
    The Honeymoon Killers (1970)
    The Honeymoon Killers (1970)
    The Honeymoon Killers (1970)
    Shirley Stoler in The Honeymoon Killers (1970)
    Tony Lo Bianco and Shirley Stoler in The Honeymoon Killers (1970)
    Tony Lo Bianco in The Honeymoon Killers (1970)
    Tony Lo Bianco and Shirley Stoler in The Honeymoon Killers (1970)
    Kip McArdle in The Honeymoon Killers (1970)
    Kip McArdle in The Honeymoon Killers (1970)
    Tony Lo Bianco in The Honeymoon Killers (1970)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Shirley Stoler
    Shirley Stoler
    • Martha Beckas Martha Beck
    Tony Lo Bianco
    Tony Lo Bianco
    • Ray Fernandezas Ray Fernandez
    Mary Jane Higby
    Mary Jane Higby
    • Janet Fayas Janet Fay
    Doris Roberts
    Doris Roberts
    • Bunnyas Bunny
    Kip McArdle
    Kip McArdle
    • Delphine Downingas Delphine Downing
    Marilyn Chris
    Marilyn Chris
    • Myrtle Youngas Myrtle Young
    Dortha Duckworth
    Dortha Duckworth
    • Mrs. Beck - Martha's Motheras Mrs. Beck - Martha's Mother
    Barbara Cason
    Barbara Cason
    • Evelyn Longas Evelyn Long
    Ann Harris
    • Dorisas Doris
    Mary Breen
    • Rainelle Downingas Rainelle Downing
    Elsa Raven
    Elsa Raven
    • Matronas Matron
    Mary Engel
    • Lucyas Lucy
    Guy Sorel
    • Mr. Dranoffas Mr. Dranoff
    Michael Haley
    • Jacksonas Jackson
    • (as Mike Haley)
    Diane Asselin
    • Severnsas Severns
    William Adams
    William Adams
    • Justice of the Peaceas Justice of the Peace
    • (as Col. William Adams)
    Eleanor Adams
    • Mrs. Handas Mrs. Hand
    • Directors
      • Leonard Kastle
      • Martin Scorsese(one week) (uncredited)
      • Donald Volkman(uncredited)
    • Writer
      • Leonard Kastle
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Originally to be directed by Martin Scorsese, but he was replaced after a week of shooting due to creative differences by Donald Volkman who was subsequently replaced by Leonard Kastle. Scorsese was fired because he was filming every scene in master shots and not shooting close-ups or other coverage, making the film impossible to edit. According to Kastle's interview with the Criterion collection, the ultimate moment that caused Scorsese's firing was trying to get close-up on a beer can lit perfectly for the intended tone.
    • Goofs
      In the scene on the bus with the dead victim of Martha and Ray, there is a long shot of the woman's face with her eyes somewhat googly and her tongue sticking out, as you hear the bus driver exclaiming her death, etc. Towards the end of the shot, if you watch the woman's face, you can see her tongue move.
    • Quotes

      Martha Beck: What's the matter, can't you sleep? You woke me up.

      Myrtle Young: Oh I'm sorry, I guess I'm just restless.

      Martha Beck: You want a sleeping pill? I've got some.

      Myrtle Young: You have any other kind?

      Martha Beck: What do you mean?

      Myrtle Young: Never mind. You wouldn't, you're too square!

      [sighs]

      Martha Beck: You sigh a lot, don't you? In nursing school they taught us that people who sigh a lot are unstable. Is that your problem?

      Myrtle Young: No! I was just thinkin' about your brother; and how handsome he looked in that toupee I gave him. He lied to you.

      Martha Beck: I don't believe it, he never lies to me!

      Myrtle Young: I think he's a little bit afraid of you, that's probably why he never married before. I think I'm gonna have to show him what to do!

      Martha Beck: You must think you're an authority!

      Myrtle Young: Well I *am* pregnant!

      Martha Beck: Not only are you pregnant, you are disgusting! You're the hottest bitch I've ever seen!

      Myrtle Young: I don't have to take that from you! And let me tell you something. I am in love with your brother. And if we decide to make a go of this marriage, which I think we'll do, and sooner than you think, why we'll get out of here before you can say 'Jack Robinson'. We will go to Little Rock. Why, as a matter of fact, I will make all the arrangements on the phone with my Papa tomorrow! Charles will fit right in with us, he has STYLE. And you, you can go right back to that, that, that, that hospital of yours where you can boss everybody around! Now I'm going back to my husband!

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Hidden Horror (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Symphonies Nos. 5, 6 & 9
      Composed by Gustav Mahler

    User reviews80

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Disturbing
    Based on the true story of Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck, who met through a lonely-hearts correspondence club, Ray (Tony Lo Bianco) is sleazy and untrustworthy; Martha (Shirley Stoler) is obese, compulsive, and needy. Together, they play out a horrifying scheme in which he lures lonely women out on dates and proposes marriage to them, while she pretends to be his sister. After the marriage ceremonies, they take the womens savings and then murder them in cold blood.

    The way this film is shot, with its grainy black and white footage, murky sound, bright whites and dark shadows, only adds to its incredibly unsettling nature. Watching this is almost like watching a documentary, and occasionally, a snuff film.

    Though the acting from the supporting cast is a bit iffy at times, the two leads are excellent. Particularly Shirley Stoller. While Lo Bianco creates one of the most hateful slime-balls I've ever seen, Stoller dominates this film. Her Martha is a frightening, unpleasant, disgusting woman, who is as ugly on the inside as she is on the outside. Her evil nature fills the frame whenever she is on screen.

    If you're looking for a fast paced thriller, look elsewhere. The pacing in this movie is slow, which only adds to the disturbing documentary feel. But if you want to see a movie where character comes first, and action second, seek this classic out.
    helpful•29
    5
    • LeaBlacks_Balls
    • Feb 21, 2010

    FAQ1

    • How much of the film is true?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 4, 1970 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dear Martha
    • Filming locations
      • Kenmore Hotel, Albany, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Roxanne
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $150,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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