Spies after a formula that can be used for warfare are after a woman being deported and riding the “exile express,” a cross-country train carrying deportees to the East Coast. Moderately entertaining fare. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK, but not great. Movie 236 for 2021.
Code Name Alpha (1965)
Stewart Granger is a government agent sent to Hong Kong after another operative investigating smuggling was murdered; there, he works with another agent (played by Rosanna Schiaffino), who infiltrates the criminal organization as a teletype operator. The plot is standard and the pacing seems a bit lethargic, and Granger is not particularly convincing as a …
Operacion 67 (1967)
Not content with battling mad scientists and supernatural terrors, here Santo, el enmascarado de plata, is teamed with an Interpol agent (Jorge Rivero) in a battle against international criminals plotting to use counterfeit money to achieve their goals. The usual trappings of a 1960s spy movie, including interesting gadgets, make for a nice change of …
Spy in Your Eye (1965)
Rather confusing espionage movie, originally titled Berlino appuntamento per le spie (Operazione Polifemo), finds the opposition always one jump ahead of the agency — at least until the reason is discovered. It was not clear until quite some way into the movie that one scene early involved enemy activity, and even after that was made …
The Silencers (Columbia, 1966)
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 …
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Panama Patrol (Grand National, 1939)
Leon Ames returns as Major Waring, together with much of his crew from the movie Cipher Bureau, including Charlotte Wynters as Helen Lane; there’s even a mention of Waring’s brother, who had a prominent role in the prior film. Indeed, this sequel opens with Waring and Lane about to get married, when they are interrupted …
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Submarine Alert (Paramount, 1943)
A radio engineer ends up unknowingly working for Axis spies who are using a stolen new shortwave transmitter to supply information to a Japanese sub targeting U.S. ships. Richard Arlen is fine as the lead, a man who has lost his job and takes what he can, and Wendy Barrie has a good role as …
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Agent 3S3: Passport to Hell (1965)
A fairly standard Eurospy flick, Agent 3S3: Passport to Hell (original title: Agente 3S3: Passaporto per l’inferno) stars George Ardisson as thge title character, out to find an erstwhile government agent who has since gone independent with an organization that is a menace to the world. His target remains concealed, even from his henchmen, while …
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Navy Spy (Grand National, 1937)
Another unmemorable entry in a four-movie series starring Conrad Nagel and Eleanor Hunt as federal agents, here trying to rescue a kidnapped inventor (who happens to be a naval officer) to prevent other powers from getting his newly developed formula for a concentrated aviation fuel. The banter between the leads is a little heavy (a …
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Cipher Bureau (Grand National, 1938)
The head of the U.S. Government’s Cipher Bureau (Leon Ames) and his skilled crew of assistants battle foreign agents. But matters get complicated when spies use a femme fatale (Joan Woodbury) to target his brother Paul (Don Dillaway). Will the official be able to foil a plot aimed at stealing important papers, a plot that …
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