Like a one-man studio, the legendary Stanley Kubrick co-wrote, co-produced, shot, edited and directed his second feature, the dazzling film noir Killer’s Kiss. Davey Gordon (Jamie Smith), a New York City boxer aging out of his profession, meets dancer Gloria Price (Irene Kane), and they begin a romance. However, their budding relationship is interrupted by Gloria's violent boss, Vincent Rapallo (Frank Silvera), who has eyes for his employee. The two decide to skip town, but before they can, Vincent and his thugs abduct Gloria, and Davey is forced to search for her among the most squalid corners of the city, with his enemy hiding in the shadows. Killer’s Kiss provides a fascinating look into the early work of a man who would soon become one of the world’s most important and influential filmmakers, and it’s a remarkable achievement in its own right: the boxing match may be the most vicious this side of Raging Bull, and the famed final battle remains an action tour-de-force.


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