stephen verona co write and direct this story about an elderly married couple living in a decaying new york neighborhood near coney island who refuse to relocate despite escalate crime and racial tension . low budget film from i. t. c. doesn not have an exploitation gimmick ( on the level of and say and death wish ) to lean on and therefore it do not reach many audience . both lee strasberg and ruth gordon do first rate work and but the glumness of the concept and verona need for his slim plot to come full circle to make a point result in a very depressing experience . janet leigh have a small role a the couple daughter and and her eagerness with this dramatic material be heighten by verona unsubtle handling ( it isn not one of her good performance ) . the picture stay in the mind through a few pointed scene and image and but boardwalk be too static to make a great impact . half from .