Film Noir: Blast of Silence

This 1961 black and white production was staring and written and directed by Allen Baron. Hit man "Baby Boy" Frank Bono comes to New York City on a contract to take out a second-string mobster. While eating alone, Frank meets Petey and his sister Lori who he knew from the Catholic orphanage where they were raised. Against his survival instincts, Frank is persuaded to attend a Christmas Eve party where he unexpectedly enjoys himself. That, and and another episode, makes Frank begin to question his profession, something that can be fatal in his profession.

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Blast of Silence is very good film noir and the more I think about it the more I recommend it. It's a slow build by today's standards but effective when you see what the director is doing. The emphasis from the start is that Frank is alone, isolated from the rest of humanity. His isolation is his shield, one that allows him to be very good at his job. When that shield begins to come apart Frank has violated the code of his profession making him vulnerable.

Much of Frank's isolation comes from a voice-over that persists throughout the film. It got a bit annoying and I'm not sure it was entirely necessary but it does serve to express Frank's inner state. Baron calls the narration a Greek chorus and Frank's alter ego that establish his feelings and some of his fantasies. The voice-over goes on too much about Frank's sweaty hands, hot hands, cold hands.

In the first part of the film there is a long scene with Frank walking through the city on Christmas Eve. This is probably the slowest bit but it does serve a purpose. It emphasizes Frank's isolation as he walk alone amidst the festivities around him. There is a really nice long shot of Frank walking down thirty-fourth street toward the camera. He starts as a small figure in the distance and the camera stays on him from a low angle as he approaches. It's pre-dawn, there isn't anyone else on the street and Frank walking briskly, hands in his pockets. There is a strong theme of alienation and existentialism to this film. The film begins in blackness with a dot of light bobbing around. The voice-over says "You were born in pain" and the dot is revealed to be the light at the end of the tunnel as Frank is simultaneously born and dropped into Penn Station. He is full of hate and the narration comments on the hate he has for the target. Tailing his target takes him to Harlem where the narrator observes that "you hate them and they hate you." Frank makes an attempt to change his situation but is rejected and badly misreads another situation plunging him back into his isolation. Frank has no possibility of redemption and is doomed.

The cinematography is very good using classic film noir techniques of lighting, shadows, and angles. I enjoyed the visual aspects of the film very much. There is a cool jazz score that is appropriate for the city setting. The city itself, as Baron says, is practically a character in the film ranging from Greenwich Village, to Midtown, the Staten Island Ferry, and the streets of Harlem, to Jamaca Bay.

For the most part, I thought the acting and dialogue were a little stilted. With one exception. Larry Tucker as Big Ralph. Frank goes to Ralph to procure a gun and silencer for the hit. The scene where Frank goes to Ralph's apartment is a beautiful piece of staging. Ralph is obese, his apartment a mess, and he keeps pet rats but he makes the most of this scene with his delivery and actions. He comes through with the most expression. Really nice and I've watched it several times both for Ralph and the subtle but effective set dressing.

If you appreciate film noir then you need to check out Blast of Silence. If you're just getting into film noir you'll see nice examples film noir filming techniques. Besides being a good story with good noir style, the film is remarkable for another reason. Allen Baron had no background in film having been an artist working as a cartoonist, commercial illustrator, amd fine art. On a trip to California he visited a film set and knew that is what he wanted to do. He did some work on another film but Blast of Silence is his first production. The film is evidence that his background as an artist gave him a strong visual sense. The Criterion edition has then-and-now photos from various scenes in the film as well as a sixty-minute making of feature. with Baron visiting various locations and commenting on the filming