Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Eric Morecambe | ... | Eric Morecambe | |
Ernie Wise | ... | Ernie Sage | |
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William Franklyn | ... | Colonel Grant |
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April Olrich | ... | Madame Petrovna |
Gloria Paul | ... | Gina Carlotti | |
Richard Vernon | ... | Sir Edward Seabrook | |
David Lodge | ... | Stage Manager | |
Jacqueline Jones | ... | Karin | |
Terence Alexander | ... | Reed | |
Francis Matthews | ... | Thomas | |
Warren Mitchell | ... | Prozoroff | |
Brian Oulton | ... | Laundry Basket Man | |
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Michael Peake | ... | Sinister Stranger |
Peter Bull | ... | Philippe | |
Tutte Lemkow | ... | Seedy Schlecht Agent |
A chance meeting with a Schlecht agent forces a humble coffee shop manager into the secret world of spies in Swinging London. With the help of his MI5 friend, he poses as the recently dead Major Cavendish who had managed to infiltrate the dreaded organization; he knows that they are intending to assassinate someone - could it be the famous Russian ballerina who has recently arrived for an appearance at Covent Garden? Written by Rhino <rhino@blueyonder.co.uk>
I suppose I was expecting the M&W I knew so well from their television programmes, particularly their infamous Christmas specials. This film was not remotely in that class. Eric, normally a very funny man, just tries too hard to get a laugh here - he comes across as desperate to be funny and it doesn't work. A pedestrian effort that is unworthy of two very fine comedians. A top-notch cast is basically wasted in a film that looks fairly cheap, despite an attempt at lavish costume designs in the "Swan Lake" performance. Having said that, though, I did like the opening credits! Whilst not exactly a Saul Bass effort, the music and images did manage to convey a sense that the movie would be concerned with the illusory world of Bondish-like international espionage and intrigue. And wasn't that a photo of the very beautiful Suzy Kendall at the end of those credits? I think so. Her photograph was possibly the best part about the whole Picture.