Review of Killer's Kiss (1955) by James K — 26 Mar 2013

Stanley Kubrick's second directorial effort shows the genius in his early stage dealing on a budget of only $40,000. The story is about a washed up boxer named Davy (Jamie Smith) who ends up falling for a dance hall girl named Gloria (Irene Kane) who lives across from him.

They meet after he saves her from being beaten up by her former boyfriend and owner of the dance hall she works at named Vincent Rapallo (Frank Silvera). Vincent though does not want anyone to have Gloria if he can't and is willing to commit murder to keep it that way.

The film is quick but it shows an underbelly of New York City that was a clear presence at the time frame. While there is not much to the film, it is still a decent noir film. It can't compare to the highs of Kubrick's masterpieces but still not a terrible entry into his filmography.