The Honeymoon Killers
| The Honeymoon Killers | |
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Theatrical poster
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| Directed by | Leonard Kastle |
| Produced by | Warren Steibel |
| Written by | Leonard Kastle |
| Starring |
Shirley Stoler Tony Lo Bianco Marilyn Chris Doris Roberts |
| Music by | Gustav Mahler |
| Cinematography | Oliver Wood |
| Edited by | Richard Brophy Stanley Warnow |
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Production
company |
Roxanne
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| Distributed by |
AIP (1970) Cinerama Releasing Corporation (1970, original) The Criterion Collection (2003, DVD and 2015, Blu-Ray) |
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Release date
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Running time
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108 minutes 115 minutes (original cut) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $150,000 |
The Honeymoon Killers is a 1970 American crime film written and directed by Leonard Kastle, and starring Shirley Stoler and Tony Lo Bianco. It is inspired by the true story of Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck, the notorious "lonely hearts killers" of the 1940s. The soundtrack is from the first movement of the 6th Symphony and a section of the 5th Symphony of Gustav Mahler. The Honeymoon Killers went on to achieve cult status as well as critical recognition. It was released on DVD for the first time by The Criterion Collection in 2003. François Truffaut called it his "favorite American film."
Martha Beck is a sullen, overweight nursing administrator living in Mobile, Alabama, with her elderly mother (played by Dortha Duckworth). Martha's friend Bunny (played by Doris Roberts) surreptitiously submits Martha's name to a "lonely hearts" club, which results in a letter from Raymond Fernandez of New York City. The audience sees Ray surrounded by the photographs of his previous conquests as he composes his first letter to Martha. Overcoming her initial reluctance, Martha corresponds with Ray and becomes attached to him. He visits Martha and seduces her. Thereafter, having secured a loan from her, Ray sends Martha a Dear Jane letter, and Martha enlists Bunny's aid to call him with the (false) news that she has attempted suicide.
Ray allows Martha to visit him in New York, where he reveals he is a con man who makes his living by seducing and then swindling lonely women. Martha is unswayed by this revelation. At Ray's directive, and so she can live with him, Martha installs her mother in a nursing home. Martha's embittered mother disowns her for abandoning her. Martha insists on accompanying Ray at his "work". Woman after woman accepts the attentions of this suitor who goes courting while always within sight of his "sister". Ray promises Martha he will never sleep with any of the other women, but complicates his promise by marrying pregnant Myrtle Young (played by Marilyn Chris). After Young aggressively attempts to bed the bridegroom, Martha gives her a dose of pills, and the two put the drugged woman on a bus. Her death thereafter escapes immediate suspicion.
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