The Wrecking Crew (1969) ( The House of Seven Joys )

The Wrecking Crew (1969) (DVD) (*)

$20.99

Original Title: The House of Seven Joys
Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Italian ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Italian ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Italy ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
100 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.85:1)

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1969 and produced in:
United States ( USA, Canada )

Directed By:
Phil Karlson

Written By:
Donald Hamilton
William P. McGivern

Actors:
Dean Martin ..... Matt Helm
Elke Sommer ..... Linka Karensky
Sharon Tate ..... Freya Carlson
Nancy Kwan ..... Yu-Rang
Nigel Green ..... Count Contini
Tina Louise ..... Lola Medina
John Larch ..... MacDonald
John Brascia ..... Karl
Weaver Levy ..... Kim
Wilhelm von Homburg ..... Gregor
Bill Saito ..... Ching
Fuji ..... Toki
Pepper Martin ..... Frankie
Ted Jordan ..... Guard
Whitney Chase ..... Miss Natural Gas (uncredited)
David Chow ..... Bartender (uncredited)
James Daris ..... (uncredited)
Noel Drayton ..... Man at Downing Street Meeting (uncredited)
Harry Fleer ..... (uncredited)
Harry Geldard ..... (uncredited)
Tony Giorgio ..... Gadget Agent for I.C.E. (uncredited)
Joe Gray ..... (uncredited)
Rex Holman ..... J.B. (uncredited)
Brick Huston ..... (uncredited)
Joséphine James ..... Girl (uncredited)
Kenner G. Kemp ..... Officer in Hospital Room (uncredited)
Jon Kowal ..... Kelly (uncredited)
James Lloyd ..... Desk Clerk (uncredited)
Byron Morrow ..... Officer in Hospital Room (uncredited)
Chuck Norris ..... Man in the House of 7 Joys (uncredited)
J.B. Pick ..... (uncredited)
Allen Pinson ..... Page (uncredited)
Bartlett Robinson ..... President's Aide (uncredited)
Bill M. Ryusaki ..... Henri (uncredited)
Vincent Van Lynn ..... (uncredited)
Dick Winslow ..... Man (uncredited)

Synopsis:

Columbia Pictures tried to create a tongue-in-cheek American James Bond with this, the first of five motion pictures based on the character of Matt Helm, a spy created in a series of novels by Donald Hamilton. Dean Martin stars as Helm, a boozing, womanizing cad of a spy coaxed out of retirement by ex-girlfriend Tina Batori (Daliah Lavi). His mission: stop the evil Big O organization, whose leader, Tung-Tze (Victor Buono), schemes to sabotage an atomic missile and thus spark World War III. Producer Irving Allen had once been partners with Albert R. Broccoli in the British film production company Warwick Films, their alliance ironically disintegrating over the merits of creating a Bond series. When Broccoli's instincts proved correct, Allen attempted to create his own spy franchise with the Helm character. The sequels to The Silencers (1966) were Murderers' Row (1966), The Ambushers (1967), and The Wrecking Crew (1968). Allen unsuccessfully tried to resurrect the character as a TV movie, Matt Helm (1975).

Cahiers du Cinema favorite Phil Karlson may have directed the 'Matt Helm' extravaganza The Wrecking Crew, but the only 'auteur' around these parts is star Dean Martin, coasting through yet another sexy spy romp. This time, secret agent Helm must prevent a billion-dollar gold hijacking, masterminded by the unspeakable Count Massimo Contini (Nigel Green). Aiding and abetting our hero is all-thumbs Scandinavian spy Freya Carlson (a brilliant comic turn by the late Sharon Tate). Sidebar: future action-star Chuck Norris plays a minor role, while Bruce Lee served as the film's martial-arts advisor. The last of the Matt Helm films, The Wrecking Crew was sort of based on a novel by Donald Hamilton; like the other films in the series, the title bears precisely no relation to the plot.

Count Contini masterminds the theft of $1 billion in U.S. gold being transported in Europe. This will cause gyrations in the world's financial markets, and Contini will profit from it. ICE chief MacDonald summons Matt Helm, 'busy' photographing women models. MacDonald, in effect, makes Matt a Judas Goat, exposing his cover and encouraging Contini to make a move against Matt. The ICE agent will deal with Contini's former lover, current lover, a British woman agent, and Contini's lovely Asian operative before the final showdown with the Count.

This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 24 November, 2019.