Secrets of the Pirates' Inn (1969) (TV)

A real treat, 10 February 2017

I may or may not have seen Secrets of Pirates' Inn when it originally aired back in 1969 – I can't remember. My family watched the Disney show on Sunday nights (at least I remember it being Sunday night), so the chances that I saw it in 1969 are fairly high. However, even if I didn't, that doesn't affect the sense of nostalgia that filled me as I watched Secrets of Pirates' Inn a couple of days ago. It really took me back to my childhood – a time when kids played outside until dark, we looked for adventure in the wooded areas around the house, and dreamed of a mystery like the one the kids in this movie experienced. My friends and I would have jumped at the chance to go on a real treasure hunt, searching for pirate gold!

Getting back to the movie, Secrets of Pirates' Inn plays something like a toned-down version of The Goonies. Three average kids meet a sea captain who has inherited an old pirate haunt that may hide treasure. The kids agree to help the old man search for the gold. But someone else in town is also looking for the treasure. Can the kids help solve the clues, navigate the secret passages, and uncover the treasure first?

It's all great fun in that innocent sort of 60s Disney way. There's danger, but you know it's nothing that will cause any real harm to anyone. There's some drama and tension, but you know that in the end it will all be resolved in our heroes favor. The bad guys aren't all that bad and are easily apprehended. And the treasure is easy enough to find that you wonder why it wasn't found years ago. But, like I said, it's all fun.

I want to give a special mention to Ed Begley as Irish sea captain Dennis McCarthy. What a great and genuine performance!

7/10

The Champions "Shadow of the Panther" #1.16 (1969) (TV)

One of the best and most fun episodes I've seen so far, 10 February 2017

In Haiti, Sharron begins an investigation of a Nemesis scientist who, according to the local coroner, died of fright. Sharron soon finds herself knee-deep in voodoo and calls Tremayne for help. When Richard and Craig arrive, they discover Sharron in a zombie-like state and at the mercy of a voodoo cult.

Shadow of the Panther is one of the best and most fun episodes I've seen so far of The Champions. There's a lot here to like – an interesting plot with a couple twists, more Sharron than usual, voodoo, Donald Sutherland in a supporting role, and the able direction of Freddie Francis. I admit that a couple plot twists really worked on me. Until he unmasks, I had no idea who the cult leader was. Likewise, I thought the mystery of whether or not Sharron was really under the control of the voodoo cult was nicely done. Either I wasn't paying attention or the suspense was handled expertly. The voodoo/zombie hokum was also enjoyable. I've always liked this type of living zombie. Finally, in addition to Donald Sutherland, the supporting cast includes Zia Mohyeddin. The man plays the slimy, but knowing hotel manager flawlessly. Overall, a very good episode that I'm rating a 9/10.

A few new powers we learn of during the episode (without giving too much away) include: immunity to certain gases, the ability to predict a roulette wheel spin, and hitting a hole-in-one on a golf course.

9/10

The Champions "The Gilded Cage" #1.15 (1969) (TV)

The end could have been better, 8 February 2017

Richard is knocked on the head and kidnapped. He wakes wearing pajamas in a plush bedroom with a beautiful woman named Samantha. It seems that Richard's kidnapper is aware of his cyphering ability and wants Richard to decode a secret formula. If he doesn't, Samantha will be killed. All the while, Craig is searching for Richard.

Up to a point, The Gilded Cage is an excellent episode. There's a real sense of mystery to what's behind Richard's kidnapping. Although light on action, the drama and suspense work well. The relationships between characters is also interesting – both Samantha and Richard's relationship and Samantha and Symons' relationship. Does Richard care enough to save Samantha? Will Symons follow through and kill Samantha? Will Samantha turn on Symons? Good stuff. Also, the supporting cast in The Gilded Cage is strong. John Carson as Symons and Jennie Linden as Samantha are as good as you'll find in series. Very nice performances.

But, as I wrote, the episode is excellent only up to a point. There are two things about The Gilded Cage that I didn't care for that keep my rating from being any higher. First, and admittedly a small thing, there is no Sharron. Episodes with all three of members of the team are usually better. Second, and more importantly, as the other reviewer on IMDb wrote, the ending is weak. Craig just sort of shows up and everything ends. There is no gun play, no fighting, no chase – it just ends. Too bad because this one could have been a real winner.

6/10

7 Golden Women Against Two 07 (1966)

Gawd Awful, 4 February 2017

I feel like I need to reevaluate every movie I've ever rated a 1/10. After watching this piece of garbage, I'm fairly certain I've rated some of those other movies too harshly. I'm not certain that 7 Golden Women Against Two 07 qualifies to even be called a movie. The plot is an absolute jumbled disaster. Something about hidden Nazi treasure, but it's only brought up when convenient. For the most part, the acting is as bad as you'll find. Mickey Hargitay is the "star", but spends most of his time groping some blond hottie. The direction and editing are about as poor as I can think of. And the comedy never - I mean NEVER - works. Overall, a complete disaster.

The only redeeming thing I can think of is part of the music. There's one tune played in the first five minutes of film and repeated a couple of times that I really enjoyed. I should have stopped after five minutes.

1/10

Superseven Calling Cairo (1965)

Rosalba Neri and Fabienne Dali, 31 January 2017

A Russian agent has stolen a new radioactive metal. For reasons known only to him (and for plot purposes), the metal has been hidden in plain sight in the shape of a camera lens. Before the agent can get the metal out of Egypt, however, the camera with the special lens is sold to an unsuspecting tourist. Special agent Martin Stevens (Roger Browne) is put on the case and asked to recover the metal before it can fall into the wrong hands. 

I've seen Superseven Calling Cairo called everything from above- average to average to below-average. For me, it's easily an above- average Eurospy effort. It has a lot of the hallmarks I look for in a good spy film – locations (Egypt, Switzerland, and Italy), beautiful women (Rosalba Neri and Fabienne Dali), a suitably ruthless baddie (an ex-Nazi played by Massimo Serato), henchmen, gun play, car chases, fights, explosions, etc. The various locations and the above average cast do help hide some of the film's shortcomings. Chief among them is an obvious budge limitation when it comes to big, Bond-style set-pieces. It's hard to do anything overly elaborate on the budget Umberto Lenzi was working with on Superseven Calling Cairo. Still, it's a fun enough romp across Europe that moves at a nice pace and never feels like it overstays its welcome. I'd be happy if all Eurospy films were this enjoyable.

If I have one big complaint it's with the lead, Roger Browne. I've never found him a very exciting actor. And he's not helped here with some poorly written dialogue and bad dubbing. I could see someone like Ken Clarke making this one a real winner.

7/10

I Sailed to Tahiti with an All Girl Crew (1968)

A slow boat to Tahiti, 27 January 2017

The title, I Sailed to Tahiti with an All Girl Crew, pretty much sums up the plot. To expand just a little, in a drunken state, Gardner (Gardner McKay) bets fellow boat owner Fred (Fred Clark) that he could beat him in a race to Tahiti with the titular All Girl Crew. The stakes – Fred puts up $30,000 while the inebriated Gardner bets his boat. Once in his right-mind, Gardner realizes his chances of winning are slim. So, instead of looking for women who can actual sail, he hires his crew based on appearance. 

I Sailed to Tahiti with an All Girl Crew is a harmless enough movie, but it's not got a lot going for it. The endless scenes of boats sailing through the Pacific, while very nicely filmed, get a bit dull after a while. The humor is lame and too safe. For example, the attempt to add variety and comedy to the film with the ill- advised silent movie treatment is just plain silly. And the acting is below par. I didn't expect much from some of the female cast who were most likely hired for looks – not acting ability – but Gardner McKay is awful. He's dull, dry, and painfully uninteresting. Beyond the excellent cinematography, character actor Fred Clark (in his last role), and a surprisingly nice performance from Diane McBain (known to me from her role in The Mini-Skirt Mob), there's really not much to recommend. I haven't rated it lower because, despite all the flaws, it didn't offend my senses like some of the truly awful movies I've seen.

4/10

Matchless (1967)

A very nice cast, 26 January 2017

Newspaper reporter and would-be spy, Perry Liston (Patrick O'Neal), finds himself in a Chinese prison. He's housed with old, dying man whom he befriends. Before the old man dies, he gives Liston a ring that has the power to make him invisible. Liston escapes, makes his way to Europe, gets mixed up with a crazed villain, and, in the end, must save mankind from destruction (or something like that). 

Other than the invisibility angle, this is all pretty standard Eurospy stuff. And, it's in these moments that I really enjoyed Matchless. But, the invisibility ring and all the "hilarious" shenanigans it produces really put a damper on my enjoyment. It's all too slapstick for my taste. I enjoy a spy film with a generous helping of tongue-in- cheek, but, at times, this goes way overboard into the realm of being absurd. And that's too bad because the rest is a pretty decent movie. Of course the plot makes little sense (do plots ever make sense in these movies?) and it's all shot fairly cheaply, but it's got something about it I enjoyed. The cast is really the standout. Donald Pleasance was never better. His take on the super-villain in Matchless is as good as I've seen. He's a hoot! Joining Pleasance are the manically laughing Henry Silva and the drop-dead gorgeous Ira von Furstenberg. Supposed star Patrick O'Neal is the weakest of the main cast. And the poor dubbing/looping of his dialogue doesn't help.

Overall, Matchless is a decent Eurospy effort that's hurt by some lame attempts at humor. A wishy-washy 5/10 is about the best rating I can give it.

5/10

Electra One (1967)

A chase through Hamburg, 23 January 2017

A supervilian (who may or may not have been named – I have no idea) has created a mind-control drug and demonstrates its effects on an unsuspecting army officer. The officer is gunned down before the drug "forces" him to launch a nuclear missile. An antidote has been developed to counter the drug's effects, but the Professor responsible is assassinated. Now, the only sample of the antidote is in a briefcase held by his pretty assistant (played by Vivi Bach). The Americans, Russians, Chinese, a jewel thief, and just about everyone else wants the briefcase and the woman carrying it.

I love a good Eurospy movie as much as anyone. At one time, like a lot of people, I knocked these movies for being James Bond rip-offs without really giving them much of a chance. I no longer do that and consider many to be really enjoyable (the Ken Clarke films for example). But Electra One is a real stinker. The main problem is the plot – it's as thin as tissue paper. It's an unintelligible mess. If you want to see a movie where people chase each other for no reason you are likely to understand or care about, this is the movie for you. It's chase, chase, chase but nothing seems to get resolved. There is also a subplot about the relationship between an American agent and a Russian agent that is out of place and adds nothing to the rest of the movie. 

I suppose that star George Martin is okay, but really isn't given much to work with other than being smarmy. I was initially excited when I saw Rosalba Neri's name pop-up in the opening credits, but she literally has nothing to do. The other female lead, Bach, isn't overly memorable either. The real standout in this mess is the Hamburg shipping docks. The docks get more screen time, are better shot, and come out looking better than any of the human stars. 

Also, I don't understand how the mind-control drug in Electra One is supposed to work. You take it and suddenly you're an unstoppable machine, bent on pushing a nuclear launch button. How does that work? There's no suggestion or other direction given to the victim – just an unnatural desire to push a button. It's beyond ridiculous.

3/10

The Champions "The Search" #1.14 (1969) (TV)

How to steal a submarine, 9 December 2015

The Champions are called in to help find a stolen submarine carrying four nuclear missiles. A ransom demands $5 million in gold or London will be destroyed.

Overall, The Search is a good, exciting episode. We see The Champions use several of the abilities we've seen before - super-strength, super-hearing (tracking the guy through the woods at night was great), and telepathically communicating trouble. A couple new skills are presented: super-cipher (the ability to quickly calculate and change a missile's course) and, what I'm calling, super-hunches (the ability to locate a missing submarine by intuition without a shred of real evidence). The episode features some real drama in The Search as the nuclear missile is actually fired at London. At the time, I wasn't sure how they were going to work that out. A nice supporting cast, decent looking sets, and quick-paced direction make this one a winner.

I'm not sure why The Search has a low rating compared with some of the other episodes. I'm giving it a 7/10.

7/10

A Time for Killing (1967)

"Bentley would kill Bentley.", 9 December 2015

Toward the end of the Civil War, Union officer Maj. Tom Wolcott (Glenn Ford) is hot on the heals of a band of escaped Confederate prisoners headed for the Mexican border. The mission is especially important to Maj. Wolcott as the Confederates have kidnapped his fiancé, Emily Biddle (Inger Stevens).

Overall, A Time for Killiing is a real mixed bag with the bad generally outweighing the good. One of my chief problems is inexplicable character motivation. Characters are liable to do just about anything from scene to scene. There's no consistency, with Maj. Wolcott being one of the worst offenders. The direction and plot are also weaknesses. The direction is often flat and the script does little to provide surprises. And there are moments where scenes go from location to indoor sets that's often jarring. Add to that overly bombastic and repetitive music, inappropriate comic relief, and Max Baer, Jr., and the problems are obvious. 

Despite its problems, there are positives. Some of the acting is quite good. Ford gives his excepted quality performance. Stevens is both good and beautiful. And I was also impressed with Harry Dean Stanton (always good) and Todd Armstrong in supporting roles. Another plus is the scenery. When the production is on location, the scenery is breathtaking. 

I'm giving A Time for Killing a 4/10.

4/10

Assault on a Queen (1966)

"I can think of 'a hundred' better ways to die!", 4 December 2015

Frank Sinatra plays a Mark Brittain, a charter boat captain operating in the Caribbean. Needing cash, he agrees to work for a group doing some treasure hunting. Instead of gold or jewels, he finds a WWII era German submarine. Just as any rational human being would, the group decides to get the sub into running order and use it to rob the Queen Mary. Makes perfect sense, right?

Overall, Assault on a Queen is a very disappointing film. The majority of the runtime can best be described as lifeless. Director Jack Donohue's direction is strictly by-the-numbers. He brings little in the way of innovation that adds interest to the proceedings. Star Frank Sinatra doesn't help as he sleepwalks his way to a paycheck. There's none of that Sinatra sparkle evident here. Most of the rest of the cast seemed to be just as disinterested. It's a shame - with Sinatra, Richard Conte, Anthony Franciosa, Alf Kjellin, and the gorgeous Virna Lisi, I expected better. Throw in an insanely ludicrous plot and you've got the recipe for a real loser.

I'll give this one a generous 4/10.

4/10

The Champions "Twelve Hours" #1.13 (1968) (TV)

Richard and Sharron go underwater, 3 December 2015

Richard and Sharron are asked to serve as bodyguards for an Eastern European leader, Drobnic, and his wife. Their schedule of activities while in the UK includes a submarine tour and ride. Richard and Sharron are unaware of the fact that a group hostile to Drobnic have placed explosives on the sub. The explosives are detonated sending the stricken sub to the bottom. With a limited oxygen supply, The Champions have just 12 hours to save everyone on board.

As my rating clearly indicates, I do not agree with the other IMDb reviewer when it comes to Twelve Hours. My biggest problem: I found much of the plot rather boring. After a great set-up where the terrorists plant the explosives, it doesn't work too well for me. The attempts to create suspense and drama felt forced. For example, after the sub sinks, almost every crew member immediately begins calling for Richard's head. None act as if they've received crises or disaster training. In reality, I would think more would have been on Richard's side. It all has a very manufactured type feeling to it. As a result, I cannot call Twelve Hours anything better than average - hence my average 5/10 rating.

5/10

The Champions "The Fanatics" #1.12 (1968) (TV)

Richard goes undercover as an assassin, 28 November 2015

In The Fanatics, a string of assassinations brings Nemesis in to investigate. Richard goes undercover as an assassin, hoping to gain entry into the secretive group behind the killings. Richard discovers the name of the group's next intended target - Tremayne. Can The Champions act quickly enough to save the head of Nemesis?

As my rating would indicate, while I enjoyed The Fanatics, I don't consider it one of the better episodes. It has too many problems that I can't overlook. Still, it's an enjoyable enough experience.

A couple of things I liked: 1. Gerald Harper's Croft makes a perfect leader of the assassins. He's smart enough not get his hands dirty. Unlike those who work for him, he's in it for the money. 2. Richard gets a real chance to shine in The Fanatics. Whether its opening a booby-trapped safe, absorbing extreme punishment, or outsmarting Croft, Richard is the star of this episode. 3. The final showdown with Tremayne's life on the line is exciting. I wasn't sure how it would turn out.

A couple of things I didn't like: 1. For a secretive group like The Fanatics, they're awfully easy to find and infiltrate. And they don't have much in the way of security. Sharron and Craig just walk in after Richard incapacitates the only two people in the building. 2. While the group is called The Fanatics and a big deal is made in the pre- credit sequence, the whole "Fanatic" thing is never explained and just kind of drops. They seem more like your garden variety assassins.

In the end, I'm rating The Fanatics a 6/10.

6/10

The Deadly Companions (1961)

"You don't know me well enough to hate me that much.", 27 November 2015

The Deadly Companions was Sam Peckinpah's first non-TV directorial effort. Overall, I wasn't overly impressed. Peckinpah would go on to make some of my personal favorites, including The Wild Bunch and Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia. But, unfortunately, I can't even call his first film "good".

The plot centers on an ailing ex-Army officer, called Yellowleg (Brian Keith), who accidentally shots and kills a young boy. The boy's mother, Kit Tildan (Maureen O'Hara), insists on traveling through dangerous Indian country so her son can be buried beside his father. To try to make-up for his mistake, Yellowleg travels with her despite her insistence that she doesn't need help.

The Deadly Companions has a number of problems I could cite (cheap sets, poor score, etc.), but I think I'll limit this to the biggest issue I have - the movie has a horribly uneven feel to the whole thing. For example, character motivation is all over the place. The ups and downs of Yellowleg and Kit's relationship feels so forced that it's more awkward than enjoyable. From one second to the next, you have no idea how they'll react to one another. It has a random feel to it like the script was being written and re-written daily (which I think was the case). The actors aren't helped by the ridiculous dialogue they're forced to spout. It's often embarrassing. And to make matters worse, I never felt any real chemistry between Keith and O'Hara. Being a pro, O'Hara is generally quite good, but it's not hard to see she would rather be anywhere else than on Peckinpah's set. Overall, it's a poor effort. If I have to come up one positive it would be Chill Wills in a supporting role. He's quite good.

4/10

The Champions "The Dark Island" #1.11 (1968) (TV)

Stopping WWIII, 27 November 2015

The Dark Island is an excellent episode with a plot and a band of bad guys worthy of The Champions' talents. I've complained in the past that The Champions abilities weren't necessarily needed in some of their missions. But here, they face an enemy with a plan to start World War III - sounds like a pretty worthy mission, huh? As for the baddies, The Champions are only up against a small army controlled by China - not too shabby. With lots of action, some spy type stuff, and a realistic threat, The Dark Island is a winner.

The plot sees Nemesis send The Champions to a remote Pacific island where other agents and aircraft have gone missing. Once there, The Champions find forces from the Chinese government bent on launching a nuclear missile at the United States. The US will blame the Russians and retaliate in kind - thus setting off WWIII.

Overall, a very strong 8/10 from me.

8/10

Bullitt (1968)

"You believe what you want. You work your side of the street, and I'll work mine.", 25 November 2015

As my rating indicates, I love Bullitt. I think it's mostly a brilliant movie. Other reviewers have mentioned more eloquently than I can everything I love about the movie - the uber-cool Steve McQueen; the editing, cinematography, and direction; Lalo Schifrin's score - particularly the title sequence; the car chase; the acting; Robert Vaughn (an actor who usually annoys the pants off me); and the brilliant San Frnacisco locations. I'm not going to go into detail on most of this other than a bit about McQueen. I think a lot of people (including me) remember McQueen for being the larger-than-life badass. But watching Bullitt the other night, I was reminded of just what an outstanding actor he was. There are scenes and moments in Bulllitt where McQueen is able to do more with just a nod or a look than most actors could with a dozen pages of dialogue. McQueen was often the center of attention on a screen-full of actors without ever opening his mouth. He had a real presence. He was a real actor.

There are three other things I want to mention in this comment: First, there is one plot point that really gets under my skin and I consider it a real weakness in the script. Looking at the apartment selected to keep the informant, Bullitt immediately notices the windows and the security weaknesses they provide. Why doesn't he demand a new location? Or, better yet, being Bullitt, why doesn't he just take it upon himself to find a new location? Leaving things to chance is a contradiction to Bullitt's character.

Second, I will admit there are some pacing problems in Bullitt. I don't agree with other commnetors who say the film is "boring". It may not have an unrealistic explosion every 10 seconds, but that doesn't make it boring. What you call boring, I call realistic. I get a kick out of most of the scenes where Bullitt is just standing and watching what's going on around him. I find McQueen that watchable. What I'm talking about are a few scenes that are completely unnecessary to the script. A slightly tighter script, with 10 or so minutes cut, might have made a good movie a great movie.

Third, Jacqueline Bisset really has no point in the movie. She's in some of those scenes I mentioned in the last paragraph that I felt unnecessary to the plot. She doesn't add a thing to McQueen's character or our feelings toward him. I would normally praise any movie just for casting Bisset, but here, she's wasted.

Despite the weaknesses, a strong 8/10 from me.

8/10

The Champions "The Ghost Plane" #1.10 (1968) (TV)

Plain Old Fun, 21 November 2015

The Ghost Plane isn't the best episode I've seen so far, but it sure is a lot of fun. In this episode, The Champions are asked by Western governments to investigate a mysterious high-speed plane encountered off the coast of Hong Kong. Have the Chinese developed a plane that can outdo anything the West can throw up? And is there a connection with a disgruntled English scientist? The Champions are on the trail.

As I indicated, if I used one word to describe The Ghost Plane, it would be fun. Lots of espionage, scientific mumbo-jumbo, a bunch of interesting bad guys, explosives, and a trail that leads from England to Austria to Germany to Albania. Add to that the always rock-solid Andrew Keir, and you've got a nice episode.

The Ghost Plane isn't perfect. One problem I have with this episode really highlights one of the big weaknesses in the entire series. The Champions are too powerful and, as a result, there are often contradictions and plot holes that make no sense. For example, when the two guys put Sharron in the freezer, she could have easily prevented it form happening. We've already seen her fight and defeat tougher opponents. But had she done so, the episode would have ended right there. When the writers gave The Champions their powers, they gave them too much. The Champions would have had real problems with this kind of thing had the series extended past the first season.

7/10

The Champions "The Iron Man" #1.9 (1968) (TV)

A weak episode, 16 November 2015

In The Iron Man, The Champions are sent to protect a deposed South American dictator who may be the target of assassination. 

I hate to rate an episode of The Champions this low, but I really didn't enjoy The Iron Man all that much. In fact, I had trouble paying attention it was so uneventful. The problem - the plot set-up felt tired. It felt like something I've seen a dozen times in a dozen different television shows. There's just not much new ground covered here. And the assignment is hardly worth the talents and abilities of The Champions. A good, well-trained security team could have easily handled the mission. Other than a couple of instances where superhuman hearing comes in handy, there's really not much for our heroes to do. Finally, the poor attempts at humor also hurt the episode. From the moment El Gaudillo appears on screen, you can pretty much guess what kind of character he is - a braggadocios, lecherous blow-hard with an over-inflated ego who will undoubtedly be the first to run at the sign of danger. Funny stuff (not).

I hate to do it, but a 4/10 from me.

4/10

The Champions "To Trap a Rat" #1.8 (1968) (TV)

The Champions go up against a drug syndicate, 13 November 2015

The Champions put their considerable abilities to use as they go up against a drug syndicate dealing tainted narcotics and death on the streets of London. 

To Trap a Rat is a different sort of episode. It's more "realistic" than the others I've seen so far. There aren't any nuclear devices or Chinese spy missions or old Nazis in a cave. The drug dealers presented here probably aren't that far from what you'd find on the streets in mid-1960s London. When the episode started, I wasn't too sure how it would work for me. Usually, the more outlandish the plot and set- pieces in something like The Champions, the better. But I quickly realized I was wrong. To Trap a Rat is probably my favorite episode far. 

A couple other things I liked: 1. Tracking the baddies – The way Sharron and Richard tracked down the bad guys by listening to sounds on the phone was really sweet. 2. Edina Ronay – Wow! 3. Let's go outside – not only were the plot themes realistic, but the extensive use of outside locations throughout the episode added to the realism. It's always cool to see shots of swinging 1960s London. 

A couple of things I didn't like: 1. Too many powers - It seemed to me that there were several new powers presented in To Trap a Rat that hadn't been hinted at before the episode. It just seemed so random. 2. Actually, there's not a #2. 

Overall, an 8/10 (verging on a 9/10) from me.

8/10

Agent 505: Death Trap Beirut (1966)

A poorer Eurospy effort, 13 November 2015

I'll keep this short – if I had to use two words to describe Agent 505: Death Trap Beirut it would be instantly forgettable. Nothing really stands out – the plot is a jumbled mess, the villain's motives are uninspired, the hero is rather bland, a lack of "good" gadgets, and a female lead that, while perky, brings little else to the film. But the main problem is that it's just not as much fun as other 60s Eurospy efforts like the Joe Walker or Dick Malloy movies. I realize that this is an awfully broad generalization, but I usually find West German films of this era lacking in the "fun" department.

The highlight of the movie for me has to be the shots of swinging Beirut in the 60s. What an incredible looking city it was!

3/10