Bogmeister MASTER PLAN: steal a flying saucer and sell it to the highest bidder. This 3rd Matt Helm goof-fest (after "Murderers' Row"), a comedic take on the James Bond films, starts out promisingly. There's a decidedly more sci-fi flavor in the early scenes, with the theft of the saucer, though the special FX never rise above the "Lost in Space" TV show, from the other producer, Irwin Allen. There's also some goofy science involved: the electro-magnetic power source for this aircraft is lethal to males, which is why only female astronauts can pilot it. We also have some early scenes at an ICE (the CIA of the Helm universe) training facility which, though in the same silly vein of all females drooling over Helm, are somewhat imaginative. Dino Martin & James Gregory reprise their roles as, respectively, Helm & his boss, with Helm the increasingly boorish, lecherous Americanized Bond-type agent and MacDonald more weary of the whole deal. During one intriguing training sequence, Helm somehow removes most of a female agent's clothes in the span of a few seconds - a scene I'm sure would send modern feminists into a rage. Most of the action, however, moves to sunny Acapulco; Helm is accompanied by another female agent and pilot (Rule) who has been traumatized (as in, raped off-screen, it seems) by the main villain (Salmi) some days earlier.Some of these plot points lend an additionally sleazy tone to the movie and a lot of Helm's double entendres take on an extra unpleasant subtext. The actress Janice Rule was usually in serious roles and seems out of place as a 'Helm girl,' but she also lends a maturity and edge to the part not usually seen in these pics. As it is, a lot of her scenes involve her losing half her clothes, for one reason or another, and it comes across as distasteful. Senta Berger, on the other hand, is a great femme fatale, especially in that outfit with the purple boots - va-va-Voom! (The boots change to green at one point, suddenly). She holds her own against all the men, hero or bad guys, and her role is cut short unceremoniously, unfortunately. Both she and Rule are outfitted in some typically far-out sixties attire that shows off the female figure. The actor Salmi, as the head villain, is almost too sinister for this type of movie, with his odd looks and intense demeanor. He's a natural villain, but more suited for realistic thrillers. His flunky is played by Kaszner, hamming it up; he was a regular silly villain/foil on the "Land of the Giants" TV show, an Irwin Allen production. The final action involves Helm tricking/doping a firing squad and a lot of poor backscreen projection during the chasing. Helm also uses a futuristic gun which can lift objects - pretty hokey, all in all. Helm would return in "The Wrecking Crew." Hero:5 Villain:5 Femme Fatales:7 Henchmen:5 Fights:5 Stunts/Chases:5 Gadgets:6 Auto:4 Locations:7 Pace:6 overall:5+

hoosierwood Some think this is the worst. I say it is the best. A must see Austin Powers fans. Matt Helm inspired the rotating round bed. This movie had the gun in the bra (Fembots) and the Arab assassin. Co-star Janic Rule was great as a fellow agent. The dialog was like Steed and Miss Peale. Better than the past Helm females that were comic relief. The story was put together well, a bit silly about a flying saucer that only women can operate, but the plot line was solid. Not much filler action or girl scenes. Great location shot and the jazzed Mexican background music fit just right. Good action scene in the beer factory. The lifting machines used to lift kegs may have inspired the fight in the Alien film. A fun film.

dethjstr The Matt Helm series of movies featuring Dean Martin are based upon the novels of the same character (loosely), but they are all parody movies. Similar to how "Naked Gun" spoofed many popular themes at the time, these films all poke fun at the spy movies by featuring the outrageousness of the films right in your face. Bond drinks martinis, Helm drinks - a lot. Bond beds a girl or two, Helm beds them all. Bond has fancy gadgets, Helm has them plus his home has them too. Bond has villains with sinister purpose (and sometimes a quirk or two), Helm has villains that are sometimes freaks or simply idiotic. These movies are blatantly obvious as spoofs and their value is that they are interesting to watch at least once or twice.

bob the moo During a test run, an experimental American flying disk is captured by an unknown force. It's pilot, an ICE agent is also captured and only found months later wandering in the jungle frightened and disorientated. She is teamed with the only agent who can make her normal – Matt Helm. The two go to the area she was found to investigate the whereabouts of the lost saucer.I think I have seen all the Matt Helm films (which I hope will serve as my punishment rather than Hell!) and I don't know why I keep going back. I have seen them out of order and this is one of the last I saw (despite being the second or third of the series). Safe to say, any merit that the first film had is gone even by this early stage. The `plot' is silly and ignored for the most part – instead we just have as many beautiful girls for Helm to kiss and goons for him to fight as possible. I know it is a spoof but it isn't funny and is woeful rather than mocking.The girls are all beautiful and if you're just looking for playful titillation then this may suffice. They all wear low cut tops and short skirts, showing bellies etc when possible – and if there is any opportunity for a costume to get ripped then it gets ripped! However it does begin to tire a little when Martin turns up. He is lazy in the lead – just content to touch the girls as much as he can. He does do a few good jokes (like having a few Sinatra records around the place) but really this is one big ego trip for him. The villains are unmemorable and without teeth and the only members of the cast you're left remembering is Janice Rule (the original Ja Rule!) and the really sexy Senta Berger– both of whom are sadly only used for their looks.Overall the girls are the only reason to watch this – and even that is not really worth putting yourself through this for. The comedy is dire, the plot weak and Dean Martin hardly even tries to do a good job. Another weak entry in a very weak series.