Helm's a Popping

A big thank you to all the new visitors to jplinde.com. It’s a amazing what a little Lee Marvin will do for viewership.  Stay tuned. Our special guest is just around the corner. I’ll be announcing the identity very soon so stay right where you are and don’t do anything. I have also enjoyed all the comments regarding my Showtime appearances of 1988. So far, the winner and champion appears to be “You look just like David Coulier (Joey) from “Full House.” Ah, the eighties, right? The runner up was just as good, “You don’t sound like that.” No, that is actually the voice from David Coulier.  I fooled all of you. Keep those e-cards and emails coming.
 
In honor of Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood” a quick look back at what some consider the best, worst spy film series of all time! High praise indeed. So, hang onto your slicked back, black oily hair. Here are the top five Dean Martin Matt Helms movies.  BTW, they are the only Matt Helm movies and, as for top five...  there are only four.

“The Silencers.” 1966. Directed by Phil Karlson. A top film of 1966 with 50 year old Dino clearing more money than Sean Connery did for “Thunderball.”
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“Talk about a booby trap. That's a crazy holster.”

​“Murderers Row.” 1966. Henry Levin. Made the same year as Silencers, this follow-up co-stars Karl Malden as the super villain (ho hum), Ann Margaret as the scientist’s swinging daughter and Dino, Desi and Billy as themselves. (Guess which scene I borrowed for "Son of  Ravage").
 
“What a way to finish. For a guy that drank booze all his life to end up like a milkshake.”

​The Ambushers.” 1967. Henry Levin. The last appearance of James Gregory as McDonald. Thank goodness he moved onto television and “Barney Miller.” This movie has everything, including a flying saucer and a magnetic gun that is perfect for unzipping.  Filmed in location in Mexico.
 
“I believe the expression is, eh, 'Silence, Yankee dog', eh?”

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The Wrecking Crew.” Notable for being the last film of Sharon Tate and fight scenes choreographed by Bruce Lee. One final Matt Helm film, “The Ravagers” was announced at the end credits. However, Dino declined in favor of 18 holes of golf. Coincidentally, the making of one of these films takes roughly the same amount of time.
 
“I know what you're after, and... I like the way you're going about it.”

"Skoal!
Of course, it's skoal. There's ice in it."

Cheers!