1964. Gutsy Allan Kuhn (a solid and credible performance by Robert Conrad) and his reckless buddy Jack Murphy (robustly played with lip-smacking gusto by Don Stroud) are a couple of Florida beach bums who eke out a lavish life for themselves by stealing jewels. The pair decide to pull off a daring heist by robbing a slew of precious gems from New York's Museum of Natural History. Director Marvin Chomsky, working from a compact script by E. Arthur Kean, relates the compelling story at a swift pace, neatly captures the enticing lazy haze of the hedonistic high roller lifestyle, and stages a bravura boat chase set piece with rip-roaring élan. Moreover, the plot makes a valid point about how crime ultimately doesn't pay in the long run without ever resorting to heavy-handed moralizing and offers a few nice bits of brash humor throughout. Conrad and Stroud display a loose, natural, and engaging chemistry that results in a strong dramatic pay-off at the end. The big museum caper is quite exciting and audacious. The fine acting from a bang-up cast qualifies as another major plus: Donna Mills as the sweet Ginny Eaton, Luther Adler as cagey fence Max 'The Eye,' Paul Stewart as shrewd lawyer Avery, Robyn Millan as perky call girl Sharon Kagel, Morgan Paull as folksy fed Arnie Holcomb, Ben Frank as persistent agent Hopper Magee, and Burt Young as the scruffy Sgt. Bernasconi. Michel Hugo's sharp cinematography provides a pleasing handsome look. Phillip Lambro's lively and groovy score likewise does the trick. A really fun flick.
Review of Murph the Surf
