A murderous bank robber vows to kill those he holds responsible for ensuring he is executed for killing a guard while committing the crime, and soon after his execution his threats begin to be realized. It falls to Scotland Yard’s Chief Inspector Long (Joachim Fuchsberger) to put an end to these murders by figuring out …
Eyes of the Underworld (Universal, 1942)
Richard Dix stars as a police chief with a hidden criminal past who is framed when he tries to crack down on an auto-theft ring. A special investigator (Don Porter) is not convinced of the chief’s innocence, but his loyal and adoring secretary (Wendy Barrie) although it seems that a new romance may be in …
Read the full post →“<em>Eyes of the Underworld</em> (Universal, 1942)”
Sûpâ gun redei Wani Bunsho (1979)
In this grim movie, also known as Super Gun Lady Police Branch 82, two policewomen investigate after a company official is murdered in a crime that is dressed up as suicide. Excessive violence and the degradation of one protagonist and of others make for unpleasant viewing, and a bank robbery-hostage “diversion” drags on for far …
Read the full post →“<em>Sûpâ gun redei Wani Bunsho</em> (1979)”
Some Girls Do (1969)
Richard Johnson returns as Bulldog Drummond, super-spy, continuing the character portrayal begun in Deadlier Than the Male, though this time around there’s no nephew. Drummond is charged with investigating a series of accidents befalling those working on the SST, and he eventually must confront an evil mastermind who has created an army of female robots …
The Delta Factor (1970)
Pedestrian pacing and a poor script, together with a less-than-likeable main character, sink this 1970 action movie, based on the novel by Mickey Spillane and starring Christopher George as Morgan, the freelancer forced into helping out the government in a plan to rescue an imprisoned scientist. Yvette Mimieux is the agent assigned to work with …
Deadlier Than the Male (1967)
Elke Sommer and Sylva Koscina as clever and ruthless killers are perhaps the chief reasons to watch this movie recasting Bulldog Drummond (played by Richard Johnson) in the mold of the cinematic James Bond, though Johnson is fine as the suave and skilled, if a bit too off-putting, agent, and Nigel Green makes for an …
Read the full post →“<em>Deadlier Than the Male</em> (1967)”
Bulldog Drummond’s Peril (Paramount, 1938)
Murder and the theft of an artificial diamond created by the father of Algy’s wife Gwen (Nydia Westman) causes the postponement of the imminent wedding of Captain Hugh Drummond (John Howard) and Phyllis Clavering (Louise Campbell), as Hugh scrambles to figure out what occurred — though the viewer is aware of at least part of …
Read the full post →“<em>Bulldog Drummond’s Peril</em> (Paramount, 1938)”
Halfway to Shanghai (Universal, 1942)
A man is murdered aboard a train carrying an assortment of refugees and suspicious characters as it heads to Shanghai, after Nazi agents have evinced an interest in securing a map that the victim has stolen, one that shows important military facilities. Major Vinpore (J. Edward Bromberg) investigates, while two long-separated folks (Kent Taylor and …
Read the full post →“<em>Halfway to Shanghai</em> (Universal, 1942)”
James Batman (1966)
Fans of the 1960s Batman might want to take a look at this 1966 Philippine movie featuring the comedian Dolphy in a dual role as both Batman (including his alter-ego, Dolpho) and “James” (i.e., James Bond). The two heroes (with Batman aided by Robin) are commissioned to foil the evil organization CLAW, which is threatening …
The Great Chase (1975)
A race car driver (Etsuko Shihomi) doubles as a government agent as she tries to avenge her father’s death, aided by her step-siblings and a lady wrestler. The villains are ruthless and strange, and the plot is at times rather chaotic, but it does hold the viewer’s interest. Original title: Karei-naru tsuiseki. Mildly recommended. Otto …