Catch Me a Spy (1971)

Andrej (Kirk Douglas), a smuggler of microfilmed Russian manuscripts, uses the luggage of unsuspecting travellers to transport the contraband out of the country.

Director:

Dick Clement

Writers:

Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais

Stars:

Kirk Douglas, Marlène Jobert, Trevor Howard

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kirk Douglas	...	Andrej
Marlène Jobert	...	Fabienne
Trevor Howard	...	Sir Trevor Dawson
Tom Courtenay	...	Baxter Clarke
Patrick Mower	...	John Fenton
Bernadette Lafont	...	Simone
Bernard Blier	...	Webb
Sacha Pitoëff	...	Stefan
Richard Pearson	...	Haldane
Garfield Morgan	...	The Husband
Angharad Rees	...	Victoria
Isabel Dean	...	Celia
Robin Parkinson	...	British Officer
Jonathan Cecil	...	British Attaché
Robert Raglan	...	Ambassador

Storyline

Andrej (Kirk Douglas), a smuggler of microfilmed Russian manuscripts, uses the luggage of unsuspecting travellers to transport the contraband out of the country.

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Plot Keywords:

espionage | spy spoof | eurospy | mercenary | miniskirt | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

For its French release, Marlene Jobert (Fabienne) was billed above Kirk Douglas (Andrej).

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood Comedy Legends (2011)

User Reviews

Super cute and hilarious

In general, I don't usually go in for Cold War dramas. It's just not my generation, so I can't get into the mindset of those who took it desperately seriously, just as I'm sure those in the next generation won't be able to understand movies taking place in the "old '90s". With that disclaimer, I was fully prepared to dislike Catch Me a Spy, and to stick it through for the sake of Kirk Douglas. Boy, was I wrong! It's now one of my favorite of his movies!

First off, it may take place during the Cold War, but this movie is not a drama. It's a delightful, hilarious spoof on the very tired dramatic genre. Dick Clement, co-writer and director, must have known audiences were tired of the same old "Russians are bad, secret spying" movie. I was especially impressed by the humor of this movie, because I would have expected it to rely on silly 60s gags, like John Goldfarb, Please Come Home. Instead, it's a thoroughly planned, adorable situational comedy.

The comic timing and chemistry between the cast is fantastic. He's been paired up with many leading ladies, but I've never seen Kirk Douglas as vibrant and all-around cute as he is with Marlène Jobert in Catch Me a Spy. They are so darling together! I could write out every sweet and sizzling scene they share together, but that would take up too much room. Just watch it for yourself and get ready to giggle.

Obviously, I highly recommend this movie. It'll cheer you up when you're blue, give you a laugh on a sunny afternoon, and make a great atmosphere for date night. Plus, if it won me over and I don't even like these types of movies, you know it's great!

Details

Country:

France UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 September 1971 (France)

Also Known As:

To Catch a Spy

Filming Locations:

Loch Leven, Perth & Kinross, Scotland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bryna Productions, Capitole Films, Les Films de la Pléiade

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1