Murder by Contract (1958)

Just perfect...

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

A brainy, philosophical hit man named Claude (Vince Edwards) does things his way. He's careful, patient, and plans meticulously. To him, killing is just a sideline, a way to pick up a few extra bucks. There's nothing personal about it; emotions are not needed.I guess you could call this film a character study of a criminal, in the crime drama genre. But the film's main problem is a character that doesn't make sense. Given that Claude has a regular paying job, his motivation for wanting the extra money is dubious at best. Further, he tells us over and over that emotions don't pay. But when it comes time for the main contract his own feelings interfere. And he keeps making little speeches to others in an angry tone of voice. Maybe he just doesn't know himself very well.In addition, I didn't care for his two criminal sidekicks: Marc and George. Their presence explains a lot of the plot; but a real hit man would not need them.This is a low budget b-movie. The B&W cinematography is acceptable but bland. Some outdoor scenes are made using rear screen projection. Production values are sparse, especially indoor sets. But that spare, simple guitar score by Perry Botkin is terrific. It may be a spin-off of the score from "The Third Man"; but it's still great, and works quite well with the story. Vince Edwards gives a fine performance as Claude. Other performances range from mediocre to poor.The script is the main problem here, and in particular the central character. "Murder By Contract" is a quiet film with little heavy-duty action or noise. Which makes that guitar score so effective and the best element of the film, along with the presence of Vince Edwards.

Murder By Contract was a strange film, but I really like something quirky now and then and this film noir had its quirks.I mean, dig that crazy music, man! The soundtrack reminded me of The Third Man with the zither, except here it was guitar. I found it so out-of-place that it was good that way. It got your attention and was effective in an odd manner.Vince Edwards' character, "Claude," a hit man with a lot of intelligence, was also fun to enjoy. His dialog, and just the way he carried himself through this film, was fascinating. My only disappointment was what he did - or did not do - at the end the film, but I understand why the movie ended as it did. I just thought it would be a perfect ending had they gone the other direction. I'm purposely being vague so as not to spoil things for those who haven't seen it. If you haven't, it is well worth watching, particularly if you're a fan of film noir.Although a low-budget "B" film shot in just seven days, this had a professional air to it with good acting, direction and photography. I'm glad to see Columbia Pictures do it justice by giving us a nice transfer in their "Columbia Pictures: Film Noir Vol. 1" box set, where this was made available.Not only did Edwards - a fine actor - achieve big fame a couple of years after this film was made with his mega-hit TV series, "Ben Casey," but Herschel Bernardi, one of the co-stars of this movie, did pretty well, too, by beginning his stint in TV's "Peter Gunn" later in this year (1958). Those two guys, along with Philip Pine, had plenty of small and large-screen work in their resumes.Did you know this movie was shot in seven days? Wow, it didn't have a rushed look to it. I wish there more of these late-50s noirs. Mixed in was the some of the slang of the '60s. I laughed out loud when someone mentioned "the fuzz," referring to the police. Man, I thought that was pure mid-t0-late '60s talk and was surprised to hear that in this 1958 film. This movie was full of surprises, and most of them were good ones.

Claude like most other American is in pursuit of its dream. His day job doesn't cut it so he seeks employment as a hit man. Soon he is making great strides towards buying the house in the burbs by coldly offing a couple of mugs. When he goes out west to whack another target he hesitates because the victim is a woman. He wants more cash.Murder by Contract is an over achieving B flic with a style reminiscent of Sam Fuller and a twist or two to keep things interesting. Vince "Ben Casey" Edwards as Claude utilizes his one dimensional style to convincingly portray the dispassionate terminator who also dispenses updated Schopenhauer philosophy to all within earshot. In one inspired scene he goes into a tirade when served a dirty coffee cup. Humiliating the waiter with his withering insults, it is a scene as violent as the hits. More than once in the film director Irving Lerner diverts from the formulaic path to lend originality and ambiguity to character and scenes. The narcissistic Claude sexual orientation is questioned while an associate thug (Hershel Bernardi) questions his. He makes Billie, the female target, a drunken self absorbed shrew, thus enabling you to root for Claude.There's a lot wrong with Contract (back projection that goes light and dark, a music score more appropriate for a Greek Island) but it makes the most of what it has with a touch of originality.

I had never seen this movie before last night. It was a very different and interesting movie. The movie kept me on the edge of my seat because I didn't know how it was going to unfold. The movie starts out with the main character as a sort of boring, methodical killer, then you get to see his personality and hear his story of how he got to where he is. The two thugs he hooks up with are also interesting; they are not your stereotypical hoods. Both are different and wouldn't be mistaken for hoods while they tried to get Vince Edwards to set up the "hit". There are definitely enough twists with these two also to keep things going. The only thing I didn't like was the ending, which is sort of anti-climatic after the way Vince Edwards sets up his character. However, if you enjoy a suspenseful movie, watch this one, it kept twisting around.