Im Netz der goldenen Spinne

This is Ken Clark's most Bondian adventure and it is a hoot. Despite the fact that the numbers `077' are prominently featured on the door of a taxi taken by Ken at one of the many airports in this movie, this is not a Coplan flick. Ken is CIA agent Dick Malloy and although he looks slightly uncomfortable in his designer duds, he's still mighty dapper. SMLC was Ken's fourth spy flick and it's one of the most enjoyable especially for those who want to come down easy from Bond. It's full of gadgetry and has a Fleming feel to the plot.

Don't miss this fun adventure. It's easily as entertaining as any Bond flick despite the absence of a charismatic villain.

SPECIAL OPERATION LADY CHAPLIN Ken Clark, Daniela Bianchi, Jacques Bergerac, Helga Linne, Evelyne Stewart, Mable Karr, Philippe Hersent Ken Clark again plays secret Agent Dick Malloy for a continuation of the series. When he gets in a cab, they have 077 printed on the cab door.

Helga Linne is in it, even though they never have her name listed in any of the English language credits. Her name does appear in the Spanish version. The end scene in the Spanish version is "similar" but very different in the action than in the English. This is a minor discrepancy but worth noting. Also, the Spanish version has complete END CREDITS that the others omit. Same train scene, but no written credit.

I just watched the Blu-Ray version of FROM Russia WITH LOVE, where Daniela Bianchi first became know to western audiences. Her accent was so think that they had to have someone dub her voice. It is interesting to watch the 2009 Rai-TV, show, STRACULT, with Ken Clark and Daniela together on the same stage. Ken died on June 1st, 2009, just a few months after the show was taped.

They use Scorpions a lot in this movie.

The movie has a very believable story about stealing nuclear missiles from a sunken US Navy Submarine. It snaps along great until the final battle where Ken is in a plane and suddenly comes out of the water wearing a wet-suit and using a spear-gun that fires exploding grenades. I always thought there was a cut there but this new longer version I received has that Jump as well.

There is also a great TRAILER on You Tube for this movie, in case you want to watch it.

Larry Anderson, Canada.

This is the third and final film starring secret agent Dick Malloy (Ken Clark). I have not seen either of the previous films but they are spy films much like the 007 films, but made by Italians and starring this lesser-known American actor in the lead.

When the film begins, Lady Chaplin (Daniela Bianchi...of "From Russia With Love" fame) dresses up like a nun and kills some monks in a monastery. Clearly, this lady lacks scruples and she'll come into contact with Dick sooner of later. As for Dick, his boss is worried about a sunken American sub, the USS Thresher. On board are Polaris missiles...nuclear missiles and the good guys need to get to them first. Unfortunately, when Dick goes exploring, he finds the sub but the missile tubes are empty! How does Lady Chaplin play into all this and will she fall for Dick by the end of the movie?

Like a Bond film, this movie has a nice international look--with location shoots in New York, Spain, France, Italy and the UK! It also looks good...with a better than usual budget for an Italian film of the era. Like Bond, this agent has his gadgets and the plot is pretty similar to the Bond thriller "Thunderball"...which debuted the previous year. So is it up to Bond quality or worth seeing? I'd say no and maybe. No, it's not quite bond in quality (such as camera-work, acting and props) and whether or not you will enjoy it depends on if you can get past seeing a relatively bland secret agent...and Dick is a bit limp as a character. But if you simply cannot get enough 007 and don't mind that he's sort of a cheap substitute, Dick is work seeing.

Daniela Bianchi is perfect for her role as fashion designer, and assassin on the side, (Lady Chaplin) while old Pal (Dick Malloy), reprized by dependable Ken Clark, shares the top billing with Ms.Chaplin. This is a terrific Eurospy which gets off to a fast start and doesn't slow down for an hour. By the time the plot setting scenes take place you will be ready for a break from the wild and well done action sequences. Even the fighting scenes are excellent by Euro standards anyway. Director Al De Martino did a great job with some beautiful and talented lady's. Including, Evelyn Stewart (Constance Day) who plays Lady Chaplin's assistant in both the designing and killing realms. The two beauties have a lot of chemistry and make us believe they have been friends for years. Another bad girl (Hilde) played by Helga Liné is great as a euro version of a gun mole. Mabel Karr as good girl agent (Jacqueline) is in my humble opinion the scene stealer in the film. The plucky and sexy Jacqueline's part is well written and Mabel lights up the screen. The male cast. other then handsome Ken, were not quite up to snuff with the lady's. Alfredo Mayo as the very English (Sir Hillary) is the exception. Jacques Bergerac plays the mean and crazy head bad guy (Kobre Zoltan). The problem with this is Zoltan is supposed to be an America, but The Latin Lover Jauques exudes Europe and I never believed for a second he was an America. Too bad they didn't write his part as a French Bad Guy then it would have been fine. The only other minor complaint is that a beautiful old Citroen Panel Van was sacrificed over a cliff. At least it died in a fine Eurospy.

In this third and final part of the series about Agent 077, who is actually called Dick Malloy (Ken Clark), but is referred to as Jack Clifton in German-speaking countries, there is a very special character with the Bond girl Daniela Bianchi ("With Love") attractive guest star on board.

Lady Arabella Chaplin (Daniela Bianchi) is a renowned fashion designer. Nobody suspects that she also works as a very versatile killer lady. When the possibility of recovering atomic bombs from a sunken ship arises, it naturally attracts both secret services and criminal gangs. Super agent Dick Malloy (Ken Clark) is of course sent into the fray by his boss Heston (Philippe Hersent). There he meets some breathtaking women (Helga Line, born in Berlin in 1932, Mabel Karr and the fantastic Ida Galli) and the mysterious Kobre Zoltan (Jacques Bergerac). Not to forget: the enchanting Lady Arabella!

EuroSpy at its best! Locations in New York City, London, Madrid, Rome and Paris! Lots of action, beautiful women and a good pinch of frivolity. Of course, Ken Clark (1927-2009) is no Sean Connery, but he also has impressive chest fur to offer. He cuts a fine figure in mattress sports and in close combat.

And Daniela Bianchi can be seen in her star role as a beautiful, exquisitely dressed and mysterious woman, who also has her violent moments here, for example when she "takes out" several monks as a nun.

This lively film from the EuroSpy wedding was directed by Alberto De Martino and Sergio Grieco. It was produced by Edmondo Amati and Jacques Roitfeld. The music worth listening to comes from Bruno Nicolai.