Allen Baron’s BLAST OF SILENCE (1961)

RETRO NOIR FILM SERIES
Select Wednesdays at 7pm in Cinema One | $10 per person.

Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Allen Baron’s BLAST OF SILENCE
(1961, 77 min)
First ever screening at Retro!
Here is a noir for people who truly hate the holidays. Hate the insipid thought of being with friends and family, hate the crowded stores brimming with gifts, and most of all, hate themselves. It’s a nihilistic little knockout of a film, with director Allen Baron playing a hitman who comes to New York for an assignment. A few chance encounters lead to his cold exterior melting away, but he’s so far removed that the transformation fails to stick, and winds up doing more harm than good. The film is impressive on many levels, from its bone-chilling location photography to its depiction of Christmas as a cruel reminder to those who are unwanted in the world. It’s as if every stocking and decorated tree in the store window peels back another layer of Baron’s already-fragile state.
TRAILER:

You may also like the following events from Retro Film Series:

• This Friday, 5th December, 07:00 pm, HOME ALONE & THE BURBS in Durham
• This Sunday, 7th December, 02:00 pm, ALFRED HITCHCOCK FILM SERIES July-Dec 2025 in Durham
• Next Wednesday, 10th December, 07:00 pm, STUDIO GHIBLI FILM SERIES July-Dec 2025 in Durham

Also check out other Entertainment events in Durham.