FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIE: HAIL MAFIA! (1965) Eddie Constantine

Two American hit men are dispatched to the south of France to rub out an ex-gangster suspected of ratting out the mob.  While ostensibly a vehicle for expat American actor Eddie Constantine, the story is primarily centered on the pair of killers, who are played by veteran character actors Jack Klugman and Henry Silva.  Narrative is stripped to the bone, the better to accommodate the film’s existential tone and complex characterizations.  The confrontation is staged in the rugged Camargue region of France, where the man on the run, isolated by the barren, windswept terrain, nervously awaits his executioners.  During the tough, suspenseful climax, the interplay of personal loyalties and professional responsibilities combusts with startling ferociousness.  The bleak resolution leaves the viewer as emotionally devastated as the last man left standing.

EDDIE CONSTANTINE

Eddie Constantine (born Edward Constantinowsky; October 29, 1917 – February 25, 1993) was an American actor and singer who spent his career working in Europe.  He became well known for a series of French B movies in which he played secret agent Lemmy Caution and is now best remembered for his role in Jean-Luc Godard's philosophical science fiction film Alphaville (1965).  Constantine also appeared in films by Rainer Werner Fassbinder (as himself in Beware of a Holy Whore 1971), Lars von Trier, and Mika Kaurismäki.  He continued reprising the role of Lemmy Caution well into his 70s; his final appearance as the character was in Jean-Luc Godard's Allemagne 90 neuf zéro (1991).

JACK KLUGMAN and HENRY SILVA

Director: Raoul Levy; screenplay: Jean Cau, Raoul Levy; producer: Raoul Levy; music: Hubert Rostaing; cinematography: Raoul Coutard; editing: Victoria Mercanton

Eddie Constantine (Rudy Hamburg); Henry Silva (Schaft); Jack Klugman (Phil); Elsa Martinelli (Sylvia); Micheline Presle (Daisy); Michael Lonsdale (secretary); Carl Studer (Ruidosa); Ricky Cooper (Ben); Tener Eckelberry (Hyman)

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