Looking back at Martin Scorsese's debut film a little over more than half a century ago
Who’s That Knocking at My Door (1967)
Scorsese’s first feature film was already packed with the trademarks and themes that he’ll be known for throughout his lengthy and prolific career – contemporary music, quick edits, slow-motions, machismo, male bonding, goddess-whore complex, faith and Catholic guilt.
Playing the lead role is his long-time collaborator and friend, Harvey Keitel, alongside TV star Zina Bethune. This film also marks his first collaboration with film editor Thelma Schoonmaker, on what would become a historic partnership between the two, resulting into three Oscar trophies for Thelma.
This early Scorsese black-and-white film is both inventive and ragged, influenced clearly by the famous French cinematic movement of the 60s and other films Scorsese adored while growing up.
Originally titled as “I Call First” in 1967, Scorsese was asked to insert nude scenes in the film to get it more distribution and eventually called “Who’s That Knocking at My Door” and advertised as some sort of sex exploitation film – though those spliced nude fantasy scenes were shot terrifically, if not reasonably.
This may not be the best example of the director’s work and style, but we can see here the genesis of his genius. A debut film worth a look.