Murderers' Row

This is film pretty much fits the formula of the other "Matt Helm" films; lavish locations, fun weapons, beautiful girls and booze. This probably is my second favorite film in the series behind The Ambushers. Dino was pretty much playing himself in the film and it pretty much was an extension of his public image of the freewheeling and boozing womanizer. Ann-Margaret was her usual sexy self as she played her sex kitten image to the hilt. However, the one that really stole the show in this film was Karl Malden. He really stole the show playing Mr. Wall, a villain so campy that it is in direct contrast to his usually serious demeanor. I also liked the fact that it made references to Dino's personal life, especially the inclusion of the Sinatra reference at the discotheque. Dino, Desi and Billy were okay, but they are no Beatles. All in all I would have to say that this is a pretty good entry in the series.

Dean martin is matt helm, once again. In this one, julian wall (karl malden) is the mad scientist who has assigned one of his hit men to knock off the world's top intelligence spies. And of course, helm is on the list! The usual puns and sexual innuendos. Beverly adams is his assistant lovey kravezit. You'll recognize helm's boss james gregory.. he was also detective luger on barney miller. Co stars twenty five year old ann margret, just a couple years after birdie and viva las vegas. And a song by jacqueline fontaine. People travel by hovercraft. Whatever happened to them? A fun adventure. The story doesn't really matter in these capers. Malden rather steals the show in this one, with his various accents, and his assistant (sparv). The band that sings in the disco was the real singing group "dino, desi, and billy". As in dean martin's son, desi arnaz's son, and billy hinsche. It's silly but fun. Directed by henry levin, who also made the ambushers together with martin the following year.

Murderers' Row, the second of the Matt Helm films that starred Dean Martin has the distinction of being the one that actually gave old Dino a hit record. Martin never sang directly on the screen, but his voice was heard on the soundtrack during soliloquy sequences and in background music. I'm Not The Marrying Kind was the only written for a Matt Helm feature that he's heard singing over the action, especially during the final scene.

Fans of the books that James Bond and Matt Helm were taken from have always said that Hollywood ruined the character. It's probably more true for Matt Helm because Dino doesn't play it for anything other than laughs. James Bond would never talk about sexual escapades, but with Dino as Matt Helm, you know this is all locker room fodder.

Dr. Richard Eastham has invented a solar ray which evil master criminal Karl Malden wants to subvert for his own use. He's planning for a death ray to wipe out Washington, DC. Both Martin and Eastham's daughter Ann-Margret are searching for Eastham, reputed to be with Malden on his private island off the Riviera where with mistress Carmilla Sparv, Malden's planning all kinds of dastardly deeds.

Dino who also produced the Helm series, gave a guest shot to Dino, Desi, and Billy who were a bubblegum band sensation around that time.

Malden looks like he's having a good old blast overacting outrageously as the master criminal. Dino as he is in all the Matt Helm is just Dean Martin as a secret agent. Just giving the public what they wanted at the time which was probably the height of his career.

But whatever you do, don't look at the title Murderers' Row and think it's about the 1927 New York Yankees. The sports are indoors in this film.

There's just one main reason to see this film.....ANN-MARGRET'S FABULOUSLY FANTASTIC dancing, and her flashy swingin 60's costumes! Other then that, It's your typical Matt Helm film. Lots of confusing action..Matt gets the girl.. E.T.C. But it definitely showcases A-M as the ultimate triple threat that she is! LUV A-M, she's the greatest! Def. for A-M and Dean Martin fans

Matt spews of his usual lighthearted, spoof lines, surrounded by his coterie of lovely women, but this one is less interesting than others in the series, altho Karl Malden does OK as villain Julian Wall. He is trying to dominate Dr. Solaris, the secret weapon (laser) scientist, who is the father of Suzie, played by leading lady Anne Margret. In fact, she is the highlight of the movie, for aside from being gorgeous, she does some fabulous dancing. On the other hand, Matt's fight scenes, particularly with Wall's henchman Ironhead, leave something to be desired. Matt and Coco (Julian's significant other) have mild flirtations, but aside from Suzie, there is no other lady authentically part of the plot with whom Matt has the least sort of romantic interlude. Overall, a little more zip was needed, plot sometime dragged a bit. Still, the usual good chase scenes, colorful scenery and clothing, elegant settings, etc. -- fun to watch.