Watch Murder, Inc.

Murder, Inc. is a 1960 crime drama film directed by Burt Balaban and Stuart Rosenberg. The film was inspired by the true story of Louis "Lepke" Buchalter, a notorious gangster and head of the Murder, Inc. crime syndicate. Stuart Whitman stars as Joey Collins, a low-level thug who becomes enmeshed in Lepke's murderous organization. May Britt plays Eadie Collins, Joey's long-suffering wife, and Henry Morgan plays Martin "The Dancer" Snyder, Lepke's right-hand man.

The film begins with Joey Collins and his friend, Abe "Kid Twist" Reles (played by David J. Stewart), working as hired muscle for various small-time mobsters. They are then recruited by Lepke (played by David Strauss), who is impressed with Joey's cold-blooded nature. Joey and Abe join Lepke's organization, which contracts out murders to other criminals for a fee.

Joey quickly rises through the ranks of Murder, Inc., becoming one of Lepke's most trusted enforcers. Eadie, meanwhile, becomes increasingly disillusioned with her husband's criminal lifestyle. She demands that he quit the mob and join her in starting a legitimate business, but Joey is addicted to the adrenaline rush of the kill.

As the body count rises, the authorities begin to take notice of Murder, Inc.'s activities. District Attorney Burton Turkus (played by Simon Oakland) launches an investigation, but the ruthless Lepke intimidates or eliminates all potential witnesses. Turkus eventually turns to informant Abe Reles for help, but Reles's cooperation comes at a deadly price.

Murder, Inc. is a tense and gritty crime drama that portrays the ruthlessness and amorality of organized crime. Whitman delivers a strong performance as Joey, conveying both his viciousness and his vulnerability. Britt is equally compelling as Eadie, a woman who loves her husband despite his monstrous actions. Morgan provides comic relief as The Dancer, but also has some of the film's more chilling moments.

The film's black-and-white cinematography adds to its bleak and foreboding atmosphere. The killings are depicted in a matter-of-fact manner, with little blood or gore shown onscreen. The film's musical score, by Frank DeVol, is appropriately moody and evocative.

One of the strengths of Murder, Inc. is its attention to detail. The film's costumes, sets, and dialogue all feel authentic to the time period. The locations, including the Brooklyn Bridge and Coney Island, lend the film a strong sense of place.

Another notable aspect of the film is its commentary on the American Dream. Much of the film takes place in grimy tenements and on the streets of Brooklyn, highlighting the poverty and desperation that drive men like Joey to a life of crime. Lepke's opulent home and flashy cars are presented as symbols of the corrupt and unjust society that allows crime to flourish.

Overall, Murder, Inc. is a well-crafted and compelling crime drama that still holds up well today. It is a chilling reminder of the brutal and deadly nature of organized crime, as well as a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era of American history.

Murder, Inc. is a 1960 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.