Overview"Murderers' Row" is a 1966 American spy spoof action film. The movie, directed by Henry Levin, is the second in the series starring Dean Martin as Matt Helm, a playboy secret agent with a license to eliminate. In this episode, Helm is assigned to rescue a kidnapped scientist who's invented an advanced weapon while battling a league of harmful international lawbreakers.
PlotThe movie starts with the disappearing of a prominent American scientist - Dr. Norman Solaris, who has been working on a groundbreaking solar power device, the Helio Beam. Solaris' video footage getting kidnapped reveals that the scientist remains in the hands of Julian Wall, a malicious international mastermind and his harmful henchmen Ironhead and Coco Duquette. Beneath Julian Wall is Big O, a secret company intending to monopolize the world by utilizing the power of the Helio Beam.
The intelligence agency ICE then reaches out to secret agent Matt Helm to prevent this upcoming catastrophe. However, an assassination effort leaves the authorities thinking that Helm's dead. While the world thinks him dead, Helm covertly starts his mission.
Objective and Encounter with DuquetteHelm, with his typical reasonable share of gorgeous ladies, goes undercover to locate the caught scientist and to locate the malefactors. His investigation leads him to a bar in Mexico, where Coco Duquette works as a singer. Helm feigns being smitten over Duquette, effectively growing near to her in order to extract important details.
Turning PointCoco soon discovers herself genuinely falling for Helm and upon recognizing she's being used, ends up being disloyal to Julian Wall and chooses to assist Helm. Together they locate Dr. Solaris on a secret island center. Things take a turn when it's revealed that Solaris is a willing participant in Wall's scheme and Helm needs to combat not just the malefactors however also the scientist he was supposed to rescue.
ConclusionThe climax of the film takes place in Wall's island fortress, with Helm, Duquette, and his assistant Suzie combating against Wall, Ironhead, and their army of men. A splendid display screen of action series occurs, as Helm undermines the Helio Beam, triggering massive destruction to the fortress. The film ends with Helm saving the day, defeating Wall and the bad guys, and cruising off in Wall's private yacht with Duquette and Suzie.
Production and Reception"Murderers' Row", produced by Irving Allen and Columbia Pictures, was lauded for its sleek production quality and sharp humor. In spite of not being a common Martinique movie, Dean Martin carried the agent function easily, including his signature charm to the blend. This installment stays as popular today for its humor and elegant 1960s style, marking an unforgettable entry in the record of spy and comedy films. Despite refraining from doing also at the box-office as the first movie in the series, the motion picture still attained a cult following among fans of the spy genre and of Dean Martin's performing.
In general, "Murderers' Row" is a film that caught the period's spirit with its potent mix of spy-thriller action, spoof humor, gorgeous females, and Dean Martin's charming lead, all set versus the backdrop of the 1960s Cold War fear.
Top Cast
