Dope

 

STAKEOUT ON DOPE STREET-1958-Grocery clerk Ves (Jonathan Haze), bodybuilder Nick (Steven Marlo) & artist Jim (Yale Wexler) find two pounds of heroin after a police bust. They decide to sell it and live on easy street. They enlist a junkie named Danny (Allen Kramer) to help them. After their first deal Jim has problems with his girlfriend Kathy (Abby Dalton) who doesn't like their plan. Danny relates a long flashback where he goes through cold turkey. When they run afoul of gang boss Mr. Fennell (Herschel Bernardi) and his thugs they regret their involvement. 

This forgotten little crime drama with a message was the first feature film directed by Irwin Kershner after making a few documentary shorts and some TV. After stuff like THE RETURN OF THE MAN CALLED HORSE and EYES OF LAURA MARS, he really made it to the big time directing THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, NEVER SAY NEVER and ROBO-COP 2.