One series seeking to cash in were the Matt Helm movies, starring Dean Martin, and produced by Irving Allen, former partner of Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, producer of the Bond films. Based on the long-running series of novels by Donald Hamilton, the movies took on a swinging sixties tone compared to the dark and violent atmosphere of the books. Martin is good fun, the gadgets wacky and vehicles bizarre (Helm's first vehicle is a trick-filled station wagon!), the movies are completely watchable and hilariously awful. Think of them, if you will, as James Bond as created by the makers of the 60's Batman Tv series.
9 comments:
Hey pallie, likes Mr. Ebelt, what a great homagin' of our Dino as Matt Helm. Specially grooves on the sketch of Dino and Miss Rule on the cycle in "The Ambushers." Never was, never will be anyone as cool as the King of Cool...oh, to return to the days when Dino walked the earth. Know that your Dino-reflections are bein' shared this very day with the pallies gathered 'round ilovedinomartin....and more of your Dino-thoughts will be shared there really soon.
Thanks Dino Martin Peters, I enjoyed drawing Dino and have a special soft spot for all things Matt Helm.
Ryan, just to let you know man that I found your original review of "The Silencers" from '05 and have posted it this very Dino-day at ilovedinomartin. Glads to know you digs our Dino as spyster Helm!
I saw that. Thanks for the new press. I might be moving it to my review blog over at: http://friendsofjunior.blogspot.com/ . Just did a write-up on Flint...can't have enough from the age of cool.
Ry, you are welcome man...and that sounds likes a cool plan...woulda loves to have you review the other 3 Helmers 'specially my fav of fav, "Murder's Row."
I've got the box set. I'll certainly see what I can do.
Ry, very very cool indeed....will be lookin' forward to more Dino-edification from you man...btw when did you first come to know and dig our main man?
I first knew of Dino as a kid: as a singer from my mom and as an actor from Canonball Run. As a longtime fan of Rickles, I'd catch reruns of Dino's roasts and whatnot on PBS over the years (Thank God for Youtube). Then found Matt Helm, both movies and books, in my 20's.
Ry, very cool indeed...will look forward to more Dino-prose from you man.
Post a Comment