The Honeymoon Killers (1969)
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94% of critics liked it
(18 reviews) -
66% of users liked it
(2,249 ratings)
Martha Beck (Shirley Stoler) is a lonely nurse who takes care of her invalid mother in Mobile, Alabama. Starved for affection, she places an ad in a lonely hearts column and soon receives a letter from Ray Fernandez (Tony LoBianco). He meets her and runs off with her dowry to New York City. Martha… More Martha Beck (Shirley Stoler) is a lonely nurse who takes care of her invalid mother in Mobile, Alabama. Starved for affection, she places an ad in a lonely hearts column and soon receives a letter from Ray Fernandez (Tony LoBianco). He meets her and runs off with her dowry to New York City. Martha puts her mother in a nursing home and follows the handsome con artist. She agrees to pose as his sister as the two fleece lonely, unsuspecting women out of their money. Martha's jealousies of Ray's victims leads to murder. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, an elderly matron is killed and her child is drowned in a washing machine. Martha considers confessing to the police when she finally realizes Ray will never be true to her or any other woman. The story was taken from actual events, and the real-life couple were eventually executed in Sing Sing prison in 1951. The black-and-white photography adds an aura of authenticity to the documentary-style production. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Directed By
- Leonard Kastle
- Written By
- Leonard Kastle
- Genres
- Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1970 Wide
- Studio
- Live Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Todd McCarthy, Variety
Made with care, authenticity and attention to detail.
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Roger Greenspun, New York Times
It is one of the best and, curiously, most beautiful American movies in recent years.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Leonard Kastle brings a spare dignity and genuine depth of characterization to his exploitation subject.
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Kastle is a born filmmaker with an uncanny feeling for the startling close-up and the excruciating long-take
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Kim Newman, Empire Magazine
Shot in a grainy grey and white helps to give the film an amateurish and at the same time realistic feel, particularly as it's based on true events. With standout performances from Lo Bianco and Stoler, this is a forgotten gem.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Shirley Stoler
as Martha Beck
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Tony Lo Bianco
as Raymond Fernandez
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Dortha Duckworth
as Mrs. Beck
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Doris Roberts
as Bunny
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Marilyn Chris
as Myrtle Young
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Mary Jane Higbee
as Janet Fay
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Kip McArdle
as Delphine Downing
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Mary Breen
as Rainelle Downing
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Barbara Cason
as Evelyn Long
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Elsa Raven
as Matron
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Guy Sorel
as Mr. Dranoff
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Michael Haley
as Jackson
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William Adams
as Justice of the Peace
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Ann Harris
as Doris Acker
