Uno scacco tutto matto

This was the last of Edward G. Robinson's caper films of the 1960s, which co-stars Georges Rigaud – with whom he had appeared in the similar but more enjoyable GRAND SLAM (1967). Curiously, it proved to be the sole directorial effort by one Robert Fiz; of course, this kind of genre picture usually makes itself, with a surface gloss that is extremely typical of its era – though the breezy score is rather irritating this time around. If anything, this particular effort doesn't sustain its initial momentum and bogs down during the second half; besides, the ageing star himself seems to be sleepwalking through his role!

Anyway, the highly improbable plot concerns the kidnapping of four bank employees by one of their most eminent customers (Robinson), to be replaced by exact doubles of them. We're supposed to believe that the old man happens to know three criminal lookalikes of these people but couldn't do the 'job' until he came upon the fourth, the secretary of manager Terry-Thomas (who's pretty much wasted here: incidentally, I have another Italian-made caper to watch in which the gap-toothed British comic is also featured, COLPO GROSSO…GROSSISSIMO…ANZI PROBABILE [1972])! The most notable other cast member is Adolfo Celi (whom I watched again soon after in A MAN FOR EMMANUELLE [1969]) appearing in one of the dual roles – the bank employee turns out to be teetotaler saddled with a shrewish wife and who's a Communist to boot! The girl, then, is played by lovely Maria Grazia Buccella – who's given a couple of unexpected and wholly gratuitous (but, nonetheless, welcome) nude scenes as she's preparing to 'fit' into the character of the bespectacled secretary who's a devotee of pulp thrillers (incidentally, she resists her superior's attentions but when replaced, gladly acquiesces to his attentions for the sake of the robbery!).

The double-crosses and twists come thick and fast but, again, they lack the touch of inspiration – the kidnapped employees use the corks of champagne bottles in Robinson's basement to attract the attention of the elderly but stone-deaf female bee-keeper; when they finally escape and go to the police, the latter keep Robinson under house arrest – where he engages in periodic chess games with the investigating inspector (the film's original sub-title, in fact, translates to MAD CHECKMATE!); finally, the quartet – with the Inspector and Robinson in tow – confront Terry-Thomas with their tall tale who, naturally, disbelieves them since he claims the employees were present the previous day (even sillier here is the fact that the doubles/culprits, instructed by Robinson to return the stolen money to the vault so as to put him definitely in the clear with the Law, emerge all-blacked-up from a back-room at that exact moment and nonchalantly exit the bank!).

Charming Italian/Spanish co-production about a bank robbery , filled with intrigue , suspense , humor and plot twists . Stars Sir George MacDowell (Edward G Robinson) who designs an intelligent scheme , being helped by his faithfull butler (George Rigaud) who supports above all plans of his mister with words and deeds . All the employees of a bank are abducted by the band of Sir George McDowell on the eve of a large payment and replaced with as many doubles (Adolfo Celi , Maria Grazia Buccella, Manuel Zarzo , Moisés Menéndez) . Who then only have to overpower the bank manager at the right time and empty the bulging safe. Everything seems to be going perfectly according to plan, until the imprisoned bankers manage to escape and the police , but then a cunning police inspector (José Bódalo) goes into action.

In this caper movie there are lots of bonafide scenes , comedy , action , gimmicks , tongue-in-cheek and twisted intrigue . What probably reads like a perfectly normal crime movie has in fact turned into an unspectacular but nonetheless fun caper movie, here with an improbable plan in which thieves to kidnap the four employees of a financial institution and replace them with doubles . From the beginning until ending the good mood and humor is continued . The plot is very amusing and the final has got an extraordinary surprise . This fun flick displays suspense , giggles , slick and not-so-slick criminals , gorgeous dames and results to be very bemusing . Delightful and enjoyable are the perfect words to describe this film , though it has a lot of flaws , gaps , failures and silly incidents .Apart from that, the highlight and great climax , of course , is the heist which is developed with imposing tension , humor and intrigue . It was probably common in Italy/Spain in the late 1960s : a peculiar sub-genre about perfect heists that go wrong , as a gang moves around a " superbrain" planning the big hit, the plan sounds impeccable, the execution is initially executed without fail, but then the impact: a small detail was not considered and now it's time to quickly pull out plan B, or improvise if there is no none available. This picture ¨Uno scacco tutto matto¨(1968) along with ¨Topkapi¨ created during the 60s and forward an authentic genre . As ¨Topkapi¨ by Jules Dassin , one of the best intrigue/caper movies ever made and perhaps was the initial spark of the so-called Caper Movie and whose robbing has been imitated thousand times in European films as well as American movies . Adding other films as ¨Rififi¨ by Mario Monicelli , ¨Seven Golden Men¨ by Marco Vicario also starred by Manuel Zarzo and its sequel ¨Seven Golden Men Strike Again" and of course ¨Grand Slam¨ (1967) by Giuliano Montalvo also starred by Edward G. Robinson and George Rigaud . As for the acting, everything is decent and with Edward G. Robinson, a well-established Hollywood star could win for the title role, because the Romanian actor participated in more than 100 productions before his death, including some timeless classics as Double indemnity , Little Caesar, or Key Largo . Joining him shows up an agreeable support cast who also does a nice job , showing no cheap slapstick. Appearing Italy's cutest hooked nose, Adolfo Celi, along with George Rigaud who certainly has a few smiles on his side , here he embodies the role of McDowell's butler, he was also seen with Robinson in another representative of the genre : Grand Slam , and the prolific as well as sympathetic Spanish secondary Manuel Zarzo . In addition to the rest of the actors, the Italian Maria Grazia Buccella definitely stands out as a visual highlight, showing some brief scenes of nudism and playing the good woman who knows how to use her charms to wrap the male world around her finger. And special mention for José Bódalo as a likable but astute police inspector .

The motion picture was regular but professionally directed by Robert Fizz . Incidentally, this appears to have been Robert Fizz's only film while he was still working as an assistant director or actor. As he was Second Unit Director or Assistant Director in Romulo and Remo , The Thief of Baghdad , The Cardinal , The Barbarians, I spy , A Man Could Get Killed Redneck, Three Coins in the Fountain . The movie is acceptable , passable and entertaining in certain aspects , except that the story does not avoid being flawed . Unfortunately, the film was only broadcast on television and can still be seen there at irregular intervals. Rating : 5.5/10 . Average but acceptable.