Showing posts with label Arena Productions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arena Productions. Show all posts

15.8.09

to trap a spy (1965)

An UNCLE agent manages to get through with part of a message to head quarters before being killed. WASP the agency that were being investigated realise that he's sent a partial message and try to kill all those that they believe may have heard it. Solo (Robert Vaughn) is assigned to find out what's happening and protect an African head of state, that they believe may be the target of an assassination attempt when on a visit to Andrew Vulcan's (Fritz Weaver) chemical plant. This may be true as we know that the Vulcan plant is really a front for WASP. To help him Solo enlists the help of Elaine (Patricia Crowley) a high school sweetheart of Vulcan's, who Solo reintroduces to get close to Vulcan.
This was the first of The Man From UNCLE movies, which was put together by combining two of the tv series episodes, with some additional footage. In this case 'The Vulcan Affair' and 'The Four Steps Affair'. These being two separate stories, they also adapted the scripts in order to make it work. The main example of this is that instead of the usual THRUSH the villains in this are an outfit called WASP. This is the usual light spy thriller, that entertains, though as a film betrays its TV origins. It's also interesting to note that as they were from season one the TV episodes were shown in Black and white.

6.8.09

the spy in the green hat (1966)

Dr Kronen (Ludwig Donath), a nazi scientist on the run is being used by THRUSH agent Louis Strago (Jack Pallance) to use heavy water to divert the Gulf stream. Thus making Greenland into a tropical paradise, whilst also plunging other areas into the depths of winter. UNCLE agents Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) are soon on the case trying to stop the plot. Unfortunately for Solo he gets sidetracked when he's forced into a shotgun wedding to a Sicilian girl (Leticia Roman) that he has dishonoured and ends up being chased by her mobster uncles when he skips the ceremony.
In this Man from UNCLE off shoot, (made from combining the two parter 'The Concrete Overcoat Affair' from season three of the series),
they manage to meld the elements of comedy and thrills to produce a well rounded film. Aided by the fact that it features a wonderfully devilish baddy in Janet Leigh as Miss Diketon, who seems to get a sexual kick out of toying with and killing people.

4.8.09

the karate killers (1967)

aka The Five Daughters Affair. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Five Daughters Affair. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Karate Killers.
UNCLE agents Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin (Robert Vaughn and David McCallum) have to track down a secret formula for extracting gold from sea water, that has been divided into four parts and hidden around the world. The scientist that developed it has been killed, but not before he gave four of his daughters a part of the formula. As usual THRUSH are also after it and send their agent Randolph (Herbert Lom) to make sure they are the one's to get it.
Another light spy thriller from the Man from UNCLE, this time combining the two parts of The Five Daughters Affair episodes from season three. This one is star packed, featuring Joan Crawford, Curd Jurgens, Terry-Thomas, Jill Ireland, Telly Savalas and Herbert Lom. This is a more serious thriller than other in the series, less tongue in cheek, but it still retains the sense of fun, mainly due to the 60's groove they have. It also features a pop-syke song by Every Mother's Son, rather than the usual UNCLE theme.

2.8.09

one spy too many (1966)

Mr Alexander (Rip Torn), is a billionaire who wants to be the next Alexander The Great. To achieve this he plans to perpetrate the world's biggest crimes, and break all ten commandments at the same time. One such crime sees him come to the attention of UNCLE, and they send in Solo and Kuryakin (Robert Vaughn and David McCallum), when he steals a chemical weapon. Making life more complicated is Alexander's estranged wife (Dorothy Provine) who is also chasing her husband. The third spin off film in their eight film run. This movie is made from the "The Alexander The Greater Affair", from season two of The Man From UNCLE and features Yvonne Craig as Waverley's niece. Basically its much of the same - another light spy story, that doesn't take things too seriously, but doesn't play it for laughs either.

31.7.09

one of our spies is missing (1966)

Cats are being used in experiments to reverse the aging process and Illya (David McCallum) is sent to London to find out who is using the cats. Meanwhile Dr Lancer, a famous scientist, has gone missing and Napoleon (Robert Vaughan) goes to Paris to talk to his daughter. When Dr Lancer reappears looking like his younger self the UNCLE agents realise that their seperate investigations are actually the same and they combine and uncover a plot by women in the fashion industry to develop an anti-aging machine. But THRUSH also have designs on the machine.
The forth enstallment in the Man from UNCLE films, made up of both parts of the TV episodes The Bridge Of Lions Affair makes much more play spoofing the spy genre than in previous films. This is a light hearted spy romp that will entertain, but don't think to deeply.

21.7.09

the spy with my face (1966)

UNCLE are in the middle of an operation called 'the August Affair' and THRUSH would like to know what it is. They come up with the cunning plan of capturing Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and replacing him with one of their own agents sugically made to look like Solo. Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) slowly becomes suspicious of his friend, due to his behaviour. Can Kuryakin figure out what's going on before the false Solo gets the information, or can the real Solo escape and stop the Thrush double before it's too late.
As with other Man from UNCLE movies this is made up of two episodes of the TV series combined. Fans of the series will love this, it has all the elements a 60's spy film should have, but others may feel it's a little lacking, betraying its origins as a TV show and subsequent lack of funding compared to most films. Never the less, if you want a lightweight spy thriller with guns, girls, and action you could do a lot worse than this.

2.7.09

the helicopter spies (1968)

UNCLE persuade a safe cracker to help them obtain a weapon from the master criminal Dr Karmusi, in exchange for an amnesty from his previous activities. But UNCLE don't plan on him stealing the thermal prism for himself. He decides to enlist the Cult of the Third Way to help him take over and rule the world. Can Napoleon and Illia get the weapon back and prevent Sebastian's dastardly plan?
Originally two episodes of The Man From UNCLE, called 'The Prince Of Darkness Affair', this was combined and sent out as a theatrical release. An entertaining and light weight spy thriller, that never takes itself seriously and an emphasis on campy good fun and bizarre villains. It's also full of guest appearances, from Carol Lindley, a silent John Carradine and Julie London popping up from time to time.