Deadlier Than the Male

Deadlier Than the Male (1967)

Runtime: 101 minutes

Directed by: Ralph Thomas

Starring: Richard Johnson, Elke Sommer (RIP), Sylva Koscina, Nigel Green, Steve Carlson

From: The Rank Organisation 

A belated RIP to Elke Sommer. I'd only seen the German actress in a few films but she was relatively popular in the 60's & 70's on film and on television, including appearances on Hollywood Squares. She passed just before turning the age of 86; viewing an Eurospy movie seemed an appropriate way to tip my cap, given I've generally enjoyed the ones I've seen from this grand time in 60's European cinema.

Richard Johnson was Bulldog Drummond; yes, the literary detective who was modified into the Eurospy world... not the only time this occurred. In London, he becomes involved with the mysterious deaths of those involved with oil companies looking to be purchased by a mysterious individual who proves to be a disruptor. Naturally, this person uses a pair of attractive women (Sommer & Sylva Koscina, who are a wacky duo that don't get along w/ each other) to dupe stupid horny men. Meanwhile, Drummond's young adult nephew-who is a real cad-decides to spend time at his uncle's swanky pad.

The vibes, décor, and music are as swingin' & groovy as I'd hope for a genre movie released in '67. One aspect I enjoy quite a bit w/ these films: the exotic locations they visit for filming. The first part is on location in London, but the back half is at a scenic seaside town in northern Italy.

Male (the title is taken from a Rudyard Kipling poem; the title song stresses how females are deadlier than males. This is sung by the cult favorite band The Walker Brothers) is not as OOT or wacky as other genre examples. Be that as it may, there are still elaborate deaths sometimes involving wacky gadgets, attractive women in bikinis, brawls, guns being fired, and bombs/explosions. Deadlier was a fun time where Elke was delightful as “the bad girl.” Nigel Green is the other famous name in the cast, although personally I enjoyed Virginia North (of The Abominable Dr. Phibes & On Her Majesty's Secret Service fame) appearing in a few scenes.

I haven't seen that much in the way of Eurospy flicks the past several years; the frequency going forward will hopefully be a little more often.