Peter Boyle's hyperactive performance anchors this Carlo Lizzani thriller about the short life of mafia hood "Crazy" Joe Gallo. Boyle is all energy ready to explode (and frequently does) as a mafia soldier who suffers from more than a little paranoia and a lot of low self-esteem. Easy to dismiss as an exploitation version of THE GODFATHER, the film is actually immensely entertaining and expertly directed by Lizzani. Full of oddball touches from Boyle's rescue of kids from a burning building to one of oddest uses of an iron lung that you're likely to find. The NYC locales help a lot as does the extremely strong supporting cast: Rip Torn; Eli Wallach; Charles Cioffi; Michael V. Gazzo. Hervé Villechaize plays Samson. Aldo Tonti did the very colorful cinematography and the music is by Giancarlo Chiaramello. Paula Prentiss, Henry Winkler and Fred Williamson are in it too.
Review of Crazy Joe
