Celebrity Biographies
Leonard Castle
He only made one movie, but The Honeymoon Killers is considered a cult title. Leonard Klasle, who also wrote the screenplay, passed away in Westerlo, New York, at the age of 82, on May 18, 2011.
Born on February 11, 1929, Leonard Gregory Klastle studied at the Curtis Institute of Music, and became a renowned operatic composer. He composed numerous critically acclaimed pieces, including “Deseret,” a romantic opera influenced by the music of Gustav Mahler .
In 1970 he directed The Honeymoon Murderers , with Shirley Stoler and Tony Lo Bianco , based on the true story of Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez, a couple of murderers who killed at least 12 women in the 1940s. Precisely used Mahler’s Sixth Symphony as its soundtrack.
Although it was not a great success with the public, the film influenced numerous filmmakers, with François Truffaut calling it his “favorite American film”. Following his filming, Kastle returned to music and teaching. A devout Episcopalian religious, Kastle used to play the organ in the church where his funeral will be held.