DVD Review: New release of ‘Honeymoon Killers’ has superb look

Ray Fernandez (Tony Lo Bianco) is a low-rent gigolo who wheedles money out of the lonely women he meets through a pen pal dating service. But he claims to be stricken with true love for one of his victims, Martha Beck, and forms a partnership with her. With her posing as his sister, they continue the rip-offs, but with ever-escalating violence.

The story of the real-life Beck and Fernandez, the famed “Lonely Hearts Killers” of the late ‘40s, has provided the basis for no less than six films, of which this 1969 low-budget, black-and-white feature is by far the best known. It was the debut screenplay by Leonard Kastle, a composer. The first director on the project was one Martin Scorsese, who is said to have been fired for moving much too slowly. After another director didn’t work out, Kastle had to take the helm himself. (It’s not clear what footage remains from Scorsese’s week on the job.)

Criterion’s new edition has an excellent looking print. If the sound is less than perfect, that’s the fault of the filmmakers; it’s always had a slightly boxy quality. The disc repeats a feature from the original 2003 DVD release — a half-hour interview with Kastle (who died in 2011, having never made another film). He’s an excellent raconteur, who gives a charming, blow-by-blow account of the production.

In addition, there is a half-hour of new interview material with Lo Bianco, actress Marilyn Chris, and editor Stan Warnow; and a 20-minute “video essay,” which focuses on the original crimes.

The Honeymoon Killers (Criterion, Blu-ray, $39.95; DVD, $29.95)

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ANDY KLEIN is the film critic for Marquee. He can also be heard on “FilmWeek” on KPCC-FM (89.3).