Blast of Silence (1961)

Synopsis
This is a very dark, low-budget crime film which was unjustly neglected until its "discovery" during the film noir revival of the early '90s. Making brilliant use of authentically grimy New York locations, the film tells the story of a hate-filled hitman who comes to the city to murder a gangster on Christmas Eve. Lionel Stander's narration is almost impossibly hard-boiled, making the film an odd blend of grit and camp, but absorbing nonetheless. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide