The Bloody Brood

Nico (Peter Falk) is a nefarious smack dealer posing as the leader of a merry band of beatniks. He's also a psychopath who enjoys watching people die. One of Nico's victims has a brother named Cliff (Jack Betts) who becomes vengeful and delves into the dank underbelly of beatnik culture, looking for clues. He soon discovers that he's the only one, except for one woman (Barbara Lord), with a functioning conscience or brain.

THE BLOODY BROOD is packed with philosophical musings (aka: claptrap) about life, death, work, etc. There are classic quotes like: "Did he die, or was he murdered by life?" Wow! In addition, there are lots of wacky dance moves, important-looking goatees, bongo drums, and a sea of turtleneck sweaters!

Falk is sublime in his dastardly role, making us stare wide-eyed as he commands the stage!

So, pull up a throw-pillow, put on some sandals and Ray-Bans, and tune in to the scene...

This was released in 1959. It came out the same year as The many Loves of Dobie Gillis. Both productions feature a Maynard G. Krebs type character. Bob Denver's was a little more over the top and fun to watch. This movie is good. It is worth watching. Peter Falk does give a nice performance although it is doubtful this was a springboard for anyone. Maybe. Peter does his job well here as a bad guy who is the money man for a small group of criminals. This actually would have been a good vehicle for Elvis as the good guy trying to find the killer. Replace the poets and bongos with a tight 4 piece rock band. It is mentioned in the film that the long distance call is five dollars a minute so we can see some things have improved. This is similar to DOA and maybe both films as a double feature would be entertaining. This movie also needs more outdoor scenes with nice old cars that were new then. Also look at The Cheap Detective or Murder By Death if you like Peter Falk and detective yarns. A better title would have been easy to come up with, such as Burger Murder or Do You Want Everything on Your Burger?

As a kid I grew up watching Columbo, so seeing "The Bloody Brood" recently was an exciting experience. Falk plays Nico, a drug dealing thug, who hangs out at beatnik parties. Just like in "Rope", he talks about committing murder and getting away with it cuz he's bored with the scene, man! He feeds a hamburger laced with ground glass to kid who dies. The kid's brother starts to investigate the crime and infiltrates the beatnik scene.

The hip talk are priceless and Falk is brilliant and scary in his 2nd role - fans of Corman's horrorbeatnik epic "A Bucket Of Blood" (from the same year!) should be able to get their bongodrummin', poetryreadin' thrills! Not for squares, man!

Just two years after their paths crossed on the set of this sleazy little exploitation quickie shot in Toronto, Peter Falk was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in 'Pocketful of Miracles' while cameraman Eugen Shufftan actually won for his work on 'The Hustler'!

In just his second feature film Falk feeds a delivery boy a hamburger laced with ground glass in a manner reminiscent of Leopold & Loeb, and was creepy enough find plenty of work for the next few years playing hoods before the role of Lt. Columbo found him a second niche as unkempt eccentrics.

I think this film is a cut above the general response on the board, and interesting beyond it being the cause of Peter Falk's first (and interesting) lead performance. Unlike the more playful "Bucket Of Blood" this movie is down on the beatnik scene (in the way it's presented here, which may well have never existed) and tacitly blames it for the cruel mayhem at the center of the plot.

The acting is fairly good overall. The plot contrivances bring the movie to a fast conclusion, but this is probably all for the best. Well worth seeking out by those who enjoy low budget films trying to work a little thoughtfulness into the mix.