Starring: Dean Martin, Stella Stevens, Daliah Lavi, Victor Buono, and James Gregory
Director: Henry Levin
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
Retired secret agent turned fashion photographer Matt Helm (Martin) is coaxed out of retirement by his sexy former partner (Lavi) to help find the mole who has been feeding information to the enemy, and to stop a nefarious scheme to start World War III."The Silencers" is one of the films that Mike Meyers was trying to copy/spoof with his Austin Powers films, itself a tongue-in-cheek spoof of the James Bond series... as well as Dean Martin's image as a hard drinker and a womanizer. Of course, a sure-fire way to make an inferior picture is to attempt to spoof a spoof, so it's not surprising that this movie is superior to anything Meyers attempted in every way. (Except Dr. Evil and the various characters in his orbit. Dr. Evil is Meyers' singular great creation.)
If you have a high tolerance for slapstick spy antics, a steady stream of off-color jokes and puns, dream sequences narrated by a singing Dean Martin, and 1960s-style sexism and swingin' life styles, you'll enjoy this film. You'll enjoy it even more, because in addition to being a fun comedy, it's got a well-crafted script at its core that offers a few genuinely surprising twists and even more startling and well-timed moments that many serious spy movies can't match.
And then there's the fact that Matt Helm is probably the only spy in the world who has a tricked-out station wagon that converts to a love-nest on wheels, complete with mini-bar.
The cast is also amusing to watch, with Dean Martin excelling in the part of the reluctant hero who would rather be at home enjoying his models, sexy personal assistant, and hi-tech bachelor's pad; Daliah Lavi as a sexy secret agent that gives some of the best Bond Girls a run for their money; and Stella Stevens as the clumsiest femme fatale to ever bumble her way across the screen. Victor Buono also manages to strike a nice balance between creepy and outrageous as an overweight Fu Manchu-style villainous mastermind.
"The Silencers" is available on DVD along with the other three Matt Helm movies from the 1960s. Check them out, in time for the character's return to film in 2011.
Mr. Miller, thanks so much for reviewin' "The Silencers" in such a cool way....glad to see you "get' our Dino and enjoys him playin' his cool, hip, and ever randy Dino-self...never was, never will be anyone as cool as the King of Cool...oh, to return to the days when Dino walked the earth...btw your laudable review is bein' featured this very Dino-day at the ol' ilovedinomartin Dino-blog....
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the kind words and the repost. I'm going to be writing up the other three Matt Helm movies over the next few weeks, so keep half an eye out if you're interested.
ReplyDeleteAnyone reading this who is a Dean Martin fan, you should visit the blog mentioned above. There is literally a new post about something Dean Martin-related every day: http://ilovedinomartin.blogspot.com/
Hey pallie, you are most welcome my friend...and I certainly will be on the look-out for reviews of the other Helmer flicks....in fact, I had planned to ask you to consider doin' just that...all my best and thanks for the nod to ilovedinomartin....
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