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| Matt Helm Lounge (The Silencers/ Murderers Row/The Ambushers/The Wrecking Crew) | 
 enlarge | Directors: Henry Levin, Phil Karlson
Actors: Dean Martin, Stella Stevens, Ann-margret, Karl Malden, Senta Berger
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $18.72
You Save: $6.23 (25%)
New (36) Used (11) from $17.70
Avg. Customer Rating:  71 reviews
Sales Rank: 3271
Format: Box Set, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc, Subtitled
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 4
Running Time: 114
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.7
MPN: COLD10881D
ISBN: 1404979964
UPC: 043396108813
EAN: 9781404979963
ASIN: B0009RCPWK
Theatrical Release Date: February 18, 1966
Release Date: December 6, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 06/26/2007
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| Customer Reviews: Read 66 more reviews...
 Even as Spoofs, Could Have Been Better December 18, 2008
Hollywood producer Irving Allen must rank as second only to the executive at Decca records who turned down The Beatles as one of the entertainment industry's great heroic failures. In 1958, while in partnership with Harry Saltzman, he turned down a chance to buy the screen rights to James Bond, informing Ian Fleming his novels would not make good films. Saltzman later teamed with Albert R. Broccolli, re approached Fleming and the rest is history, while Mr. Allen undoubtedly gritted his teeth at the success he so misguidedly let slip by.
Determined to grab a consolation prize, Allen subsequently obtained the rights to Donald Hamilton's Matt Helm novels with a view to a film franchise to rival that of 007. Hamilton's books are gritty cynical thrillers about a CIA operative turned private detective, far removed from the colourful world of the Bond films. Allen wanted an American James Bond with glamour, gadgets and women, with a greater emphasis on spoof/comedy thrills to compete with Bond's more sophisticated tongue in cheek humour. Matt Helm was made over accordingly.
The Silencers (1966) borrowed the title and little else from the Hamilton novel (as would be the case with the later films) though material from another Helm novel , Death of a Citizen, was also utilised. Rather than cast a serious actor in the lead, Allen turned to crooner turned movie star, Dean Martin to fill the criteria of super suave agent. A former second banana to Jerry Lewis, Dino was very much nearing the end of his movie career and appears to daydream through most of the film, usually to one of his own songs of the soundtrack. The CIA became the fictional ICE, while Helm is initially a semi retired agent turned photographer. Helm reluctantly returns to ICE after the enemy organisation, BIGO, attempts to kill him. Victor Buono played the main villain as a Doctor No type complete with Asian makeover. The main gadget of the film is a gun that fires backwards - no kidding!
Murder's Row followed in 1967, retaining the main premise of the novel (kidnapped scientist) and moving the action from Chesapeake Bay to Monte Carlo. It featured a steel headed villain who Helm eventually defeats with a giant industrial magnet ... just as 007 would do with Jaws ten years later. Well he is entitled to borrow from his imitators once in a while.
The Ambushers (1968) was clearly modelled on You Only Live Twice from the year before with a plot involving hijacked spacecraft and Helm faking his own assassination. The resultant film is probably the worst of the bunch with dull, plodding direction and the weakest visual gags including a cigarette that produces laughing gas!
The Wrecking Crew (1969) is the last and least remembered of the four, which is a pity in some ways as the series seemed to be getting its act into some sort of order. The tighter paced script took itself a little more seriously and boasted a classier villain in Nigel Greene, almost reprising his role from Deadlier Than The Male. Confident, perhaps, that they were finally getting it right, Allen had the closing titles proclaim Helm's impending return in The Ravagers. It proved a misplaced confidence. Dean Martin decided to quit the role and while actors James Franciscus and Adam West (TV's Batman) were briefly considered as replacements, the backing studio, Columbia, felt that the super spy bubble had now burst. The latest 007, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, was just scraping in a profit and being perceived as a failure. Of course, this situation would quickly turn around.
Six years later, Allen attempted reviving his Matt Helm franchise as a possible TV series with Tony Francisco. A pilot, simply titled Matt Helm, relocated the character back into a more realistic crime thriller as a former CIA agent turned private eye. With a low budget and the other usual restrictions on 1970s TV films, it proved an unmemorable comeback and no more were made.
For the record, Warner Bros have been talking about resurrecting Matt Helm to follow the success of the Bourne films. So far, it remains just talk.
 Spy movie spoof December 16, 2008
Being James Bond is not easy just ask Matt why he always has a drink and cigarette in hand. If you want to enjoy a spy movie with a lot of comedy this is it.
Dino Is THE Man!!! December 14, 2008
What a great package! Dino Martin as Matt Helm swingin' it and wingin' it on a fantasy romp through four films! It's hard to imagine anything better! It's like a 1960's Disneyland for adults!!! Buy this while you can!!! This much fun can't stay legal for long!!
 Playful Romp December 6, 2008
Dean Martin makes this farce and enjoyable romp...just sit back, light a cigerette , pour a glass of booze and bring on the broads. Warning Pre- Political Correctness if you are thin skinned don't look..call your nanny now.
dean martin is #1 October 30, 2008
if you like austin powers then you should get this box set. you will see where it all began.
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