This Martin Scorsese Short Film from 1964 Is Like a Prelude to ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and ‘Goodfellas’

While attending New York University’s film school, Martin Scorsese made several short films that laid the groundwork for the themes and characters he would revisit throughout his career. The 1964 short It’s Not Just You, Murray! has all the makings of a familiar film from the celebrated director: gangsters who always knew they wanted to be something, backstabbing “pals,” montages of violence and entertaining monologues.

The movie opens with Murray, a middle-aged mobster who details the extravagant cost (at least back then) of his expensive lifestyle (shades of The Wolf of Wall Street), but takes us back in time to share his humble beginnings. We see his rise to becoming an influential figure, and learn of his “friend” Joe who isn’t much of a buddy as you’ll see. Murray contains Scorsese’s trademark snappy dialogue and a few signature camera movements that were still rough around the edges. See if you agree by watching the 15-minute movie below, which we first spotted on Cinephilia and Beyond.

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