Murderers' Row

2nd outing for Dean Martin as secret agent Matt Helm, this time joining up with Ann Margret to stop evil Karl Malden destroying the world or whatever. Harmless fun with smooth Dean, drink jokes, daft gadgets and lots of girls who all look like models.

This was the 11th highest grossing film of 1966. Was there no 12th film released that year? This film is surprisingly bad. And I like Dean Martin a lot. I loved the Silencers. This is a very slow flick with little skin.

Workhorse director Harry Levin, alas, proves to be no substitute for Phil Karlson who megaphoned the first of the Matt Helm series, The Silencers. Alas, even more to the point, the lovely Ann-Margret comes across most disappointingly as a rather pallid substitute for super-sexy Stella Stevens. Judging by what they provide here, both Miss Ann-Margret and Mr. Levin can aptly be described as "colorless". Another setback for this sequel is that the over-publicized "Slay Girls" actually appear on-screen only momentarily. However, on the plus side, the film does boast the alluring presence of Camilla Sparv. The action scenes are also quite exciting. In addition, the color photography could justly be described as "pleasant", and there's no doubt that Dean Martin makes a most genial companion. Available on a Sony DVD.

The Matt Helm series worth to see for all girls who enchating an adorning the scenes, Dean Martin always plays an unfashionable old guy that believes that all girls falling in love for him desperately on first look, drunk bad washed face fills to fine model of an outdated actor, Karl Malden made an average villain without bright, this picture is a carbon copy of 007's movies even the bad guy is a fac simile them, nevertheless all gourgeous girls overcame all this low profile series, as bad it's became funny and has some good moments, another quality is not allowed the leading character sing along the picture, if had will be a total joke!!! Resume: First watch: 1993 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 6

This is only the second entry in the Matt Helm spy-series and already star Dean Martin looks tired, beleaguered and in need of a good belt of gin. It isn't the groovy Bond-satire you hope it'll be--and that the first film, "The Silencers", nearly was. It has Ann-Margret, and she has energy and pizazz to spare--but no character to play. Hothead Karl Malden plays the villain, but he's not nefarious, just buffoonish. And then there's Dino: aging on-screen faster than a bottle of Thunderbird Wine, Martin can barely keep his eyes open, barely get his lines out, seems overly-tanned and over-fed, and creates no sparks with sexy A-M. The script is leadweight, the direction amateurish, the set designs mediocre. It's not even an interesting attempt. It's a four-asprin headache. * from ****

This second entry of the Matt Helms (Dean Martin) spy-spoof series is no better or worse than the Silencers or The Ambushers, but is a notch above the final entry, The Wrecking Crew. For one thing, Ann-Margret was never more beautiful (face and body) than from that time period. Energy to spare, she's on a constant high of momentum. Also included is the lovely Camilla Sparv (Michael Caine's girlfriend at the time) and she always adds class. Plus, Beverly Adams as the gorgeous Lovie Kravzit. Dino is pretty much working on 1/2 power, but does his job. A 5 out of 10. Best performance = Ann-Margret. These Helm films will seem better now than when they were released in the mid to late 60's. Just fun stuff (like Casino Royale) with tons of babes and decent villains. Check it out!