The Intelligence Men

Most spy films become parodies or satires. This film is a deliberate goof on the genre by two of the UK's greatest comedians. They never became known in the States unlike Benny Hill and that was a sad thing for America. The film is loaded with sexy beauties like Gloria Paul who was a contender for a role in Thunderball (she should have been a Bond Girl). The music goes for a jazzy spy feel and the film has good cinematography.

I could never understand the slating that this film has always received. Admittedly it's not The Pink Panther but it was never meant to be. It's very clear to see that it was made on buttons but the writing and performances are terrific.

There are quite a few comedy moments in The Intelligence Men that even by today's standards are stunningly funny and yet at the same time are just so wonderfully innocent in their delivery. The 'where did that music come from then' moment is streets ahead of it's time as is the hilarious resolution to the sinister man who follows them around throughout the film, it's worth watching for that bit alone.

I love Morecambe and Wise so I enjoyed this film. They are on top form as bumbling British agents who are trying to stop the bad guys who are "on their side" from doing their bad deeds. There are some really funny scenes and some great lines ("waiter there's a dead man in this soup") and a reasonable cast. Yet though this film is very much enjoyable, it is not as good as their next film "That Riviera Touch", because it begins to get a bit unfunny at times. Nevertheless it's worth watching just for the fantastic opera scene at the end of the film which recalls Danny Kaye's equally hilarious opera performance at the end of his film "Wonder Man". It is also interesting to see how young Morecambe and Wise were when they made the film. Enjoy! 8/10

April 2021

The Intelligence Men is the 1st of the 3 Morecambe and Wise films from the 60s, i personally think they are of the same level and always watch the 3 at the same time.

Great stuff, funny british 60s comedy, enjoy.

Now go and watch the other 2.

9 out of 10.

I first saw this on the late show quite a a few years ago. I laughed so hard and loud that I woke up my wife and kids. I devoured TV Guide for the next six months until I found it on again and let the tape roll. This was long before the vhs vcrs we now have. Over the years, the tape got lost and I was heartsick. Not long ago, I found a dvd of it on Amazon.UK. It was of course PAL, Region 2. Then I found a region free, PAL and NTSC dvd player. Now several hundred dollars later, I can watch Spy Larks (British title The Intelligence Men)whenever I please, and I please often.

I see Eric was voted the funniest performer in the UK for the 20th century. Well deserved. That he is now dead is our great loss, but I have learned that he died of a heart attack while performing on stage. If God was not a comedy fan before, He is now.