Dean Martin essays the role of espionage agent Matt Helm with tongue firmly planted in cheek, in the first of series of movies loosely based on Donald Hamilton’s ruthless character reworked into distinctly lighter fare. Here, Helm partners with a former flame (Daliah Lavi) and then with an innocent mixed up in the whole affair (Stella Stevens) to thwart the evil Big O’s plan to use an atomic bomb to cripple the United States. I’ve long been a fan of these movies, and I was pleased to find the first as enjoyable as I remembered, though it may not appeal to those with a strong liking for Hamilton’s much grimmer books.

  Recommended. Otto finds this one pleasing enough to relax.

Movie 169 for 2021.