Wednesday, July 20, 2011

DEADLIER THAN THE MALE - Malcolm Lockyer/John Franz/Scott Engel "Beware My Brother, Beware" (1967)

I dig Spy, Secret Agent and Detective flicks, it's just that simple! Beautiful women and locations, fancy weapons and the latest inventions, and needless to say, there's most likely going to be a cool soundtrack, and tonight's feature, "Deadlier Than The Male", is no exception! The main score was created by a man who died way back in 1976, Malcolm Lockyer. Malcolm has some fine titles to his name, some we've done, some coming up in the future, like "Dr. Who And The Daleks," "Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians," "The Vengeance Of Fu Manchu," and "Island Of The Burning Damned!"

What's really interesting about the music is that one of the coolest main themes you're ever going to hear, was written by Scott Engel and John Franz, and sung by The Walker Brothers, and for some reason, it's clear as a bell in the credits, but oddly is not mentioned at all on IMDB. That's just weird!! Here's a picture of a 45 I sold on Ebay before I even realized that a young kinda rockabilly Scott Engel was indeed the same guy as Scott Walker after he packed up and left Ohio and headed over to the UK where he scored some big hits with that rich deep baritone, and songs like "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore!" At one point in the 60's, The Walker Brothers were actually more popular than The Beatles in Europe!

The always stunning Elke Sommer has the role of the badass Irma Eckman, a gal who is indeed, "Deadlier Than The Male!"

That stogie had what we used to call a load in it, but the loads we used to put in other peoples cigarettes only blew off the tip, unlike this one that shoots a bullet right through the back of your neck!! Irma looks quite smitten with herself!

I'm not really sure why Irma went to all the trouble except to fill her not so well hidden sadomasochistic desires, since she ends up blowing the whole plane to kingdom come anyway!

Sylva Koscina is the more than interesting Penelope, Irma Eckman's sidekick! Smart and beautiful, Sylvia was 5'10½" and 39-25-37, and studied Physics at Naples University before becoming an actress!

So much for racial profiling, these two are every airport security worker's dream come true!! Sorry ladies, we're going to have to pat you down!

After the two dolls harpoon this cat, they abscond with a tape off a good old fashioned tape recorder that is going to lead to some reel important information!

As The Coasters would so succinctly put it in their hit song "Searchin" it's time to bring in one of the big guns of the genre, Mr. Bulldog Drummond!

Sylva Koscina passed away back in 1994, but left a legacy of 119 appearances in mostly Italian films ranging from "Hercules Unchained" to "Lisa And The Devil!"

Besides all her obvious talents, Elke Sommer is also an accomplished artist, and you can actually buy her original art for a pittance at This Place!

In the meantime, these two have been given another assignment by The Boss!

Pretty cute, huh?

That has got to be the biggest phone I have ever seen in my life!

The legendary Bulldog Drummond was played by Richard Johnson! Richard would reprise the role of Bulldog Drummond in 1969, in the impossible to find, "Good Girls Do!" Richard has worked steadily since 1950, was also in "The Haunting," and "Zombie" among others, and believe it or don't, he's filming a TV movie this year called "The Other Child!"

They make it seem like you're suddenly on some tropical island, but it's just a framed moving background in this stool pigeon's pad! Bulldog is able to obtain some pertinent information!

All you clothes designers take notice, open back, very sexy, or does she just have her blouse on backwards?

Bulldog Drummond is pretty laid back most of the time, but when it comes time to take care of business, he's all over it!!

I never was cool enough to have one of these kinds of pedestal phones with the dial on the bottom!

"Did somebody order a pizza?"

You Fool! I specifically said, "No Anchovies!"

It's really hard to capture good action shots in any movie, but here's a good example of how to deal with bad guys like Milton Reid as Chang! Milton has an unforgettable mug that you've seen in "Blood Of The Vampire," "Terror Of The Tongs," "Night Creatures," and "Dr. No." Just like all our favourite characters, Milton was also a professional wrassler! He started in 1952 as Jungle Boy, and as his career progressed, he became best known as The Mighty Chang! After his career fell apart, Milton went to India to act, and sometime in the late 80's, he mysteriously disappeared, and they still haven't figured out what happened to him!

If you want to live, never drive somebody to the edge, unless you plan on pushing them over! The Bulldog's about to snap!

Nigel Green had the role of the Big Bad Boss Carl Petersen! Nigel had a great career that ran the gamut from playing Hercules in "Jason And The Argonauts," to being Nayland Smith in "The Face of Fu Manchu!" Nigel also had good roles in "The Skull," "The Masque Of The Red Death," and Dean Martin's "The Wrecking Crew," before 'accidently' overdosing on sleeping pills in 1972 at the age of 47!

For the grand finale, Carl Petersen challenges Bulldog Drummond to a 'killer' game of chess in his specially prepared game room!

C H E C K M A T E! ! !

8 comments:

zillagord said...

I wanted an anchovie to go, and hold the pizza!

Eegah!! said...

I figured I'd hear from you on that one!!

zillagord said...

At your cervix, sir. Meh-he-heh.
I actually think I have left that comment before. Just call me the Department of Redundancy Department!

Keith said...

Great summary of a great, camp, 60's spy spoof (a la "Our Man Flint"). So, anybody know of the original sound track exists anywhere? I recorded an afternoon live performance off the BBC "Light" program in 1967 but like an idiot, erased the tape to make room for some horrific top 20 singles of the era!

:(

Eegah!! and Tabonga! said...

Sorry Keith, seems quite doubtful. Walker Bros 45's are available, but that's all I could find!

Anonymous said...

Elke Sommer and Nigel Green basically played the same characters again in "The Wrecking Crew."

Suzanna Leigh was gorgeous, but she never seemed to have much to do in any movies, including this one. She did get to play a sadistic enemy agent (a sort of Irma Eckman type) in the spy drama "Subterfuge" (1968), but her part was very small and the movie itself was a boring soap opera.

Anonymous said...

Great blog, but file has been deleted. Re-up please?
Regards

Eegah!! and Tabonga! said...

Well, since you said please!

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