Hammerhead

While I have not seen the Hammerhead movie, I do have the soundtrack album.

I ended up ordering it by mistake about 25 years ago, and when I got it, I opened it anyway as I collect soundtracks, and had never heard of the movie Hammerhead.

There is a catchy theme song, and some cool chase music, as well as other tunes, and even a Hammerhead 'concerto' on the record.

If this movie ever comes out on video, I would like to see it in order to associate the music with the scenes.

The music is typical of the 60s and is very light-hearted and fun to listen to.

"Hammerhead" fit very nicely into the 60's/70's explosion of spy flicks which were rushed into theaters following the success of James Bond. It was less humorous and over-the-top than either the Matt Helm or Derek Flint series, but less dark than the Harry Palmer films. It was a solid blend of humor and action and stands as one of the best productions of the era.

Vince Edwards did quite a very respectable job as Charles Hood, handling himself exceptionally well in the action sequences, making a credible two-fisted action hero. Peter Vaughn was excellent as the eccentric title villain and I have a memory of a very well done chase sequence with Edwards and a motorcycle that sticks in my mind. Judy Geeson as Hood's romantic interest, while cute and 60's groovy, was incredibly weak and was the film's major drawback, much like a large number of the Bond Girls of the Roger Moore era.

"Hammerhead" was based on the Charles Hood spy novel by Steven Coulter, writing as James Mayo. Coulter/Mayo was a friend and contemporary of Ian Fleming and even helped Fleming with the background material for CASINO ROYALE. Coulter finished five spy novels in the Hood series. They are actually quite good and it's a shame that Irving Allen only made one Charles Hood film. I recommend the novels as well if you can find any of them in print anymore.

I saw "Hammerhead" in the theater when it was first released and then remember seeing an edited version on TV some time later. Although it's been a very long time since I've seen "Hammerhead", I have very fond memories of it and would love to see a DVD release of it in the future.

I recommend "Hammerhead" as one of the better spy adventures of the 60's.

The governmental powers that be are concerned that a man known as Hammerhead (Peter Vaughn) will try to steal NATO secrets at an upcoming meeting. They also know that Hammerhead is an avid collector of pornography. To learn more about his plans and to get close to him, Agent Charles Hood (Vince Edwards) poses as a dealer with a large collection for sale. Complicating matters for Hood, he's picked up something of a hanger-on in the form of swinging Sue Trenton (Judy Geeson).

Hammerhead is another of those movie that I really wanted to love. It's not that the whole movie is a complete waste, but it only comes close to fulfilling its promise in the final 30 minutes. The ending is really enjoyable, fast-paced, and exciting. The chase scenes through the crowded Lisbon (I'm assuming it was Lisbon) streets is nicely filmed. Had the whole thing been that entertaining, Hammerhead might have launched another spy series. Unfortunately, Hammerhead is a 90+ minute movie. You have to sit through 60 lifeless, boring minutes to get to the good stuff. There are a couple of problems I'll cite. First, the plot is unnecessarily muddy at the beginning of the film. I'm guessing the filmmakers wanted to save a surprise or two, but how about giving the viewer a clue as to what's going on? Second, Vince Edwards might have been a decent enough actor, but he's not my image of a secret agent. His Hood is just too dull to pull off the lead.

Despite the flaws, overall, I enjoyed Hammerhead. Other than the exciting third act I've already written about, there are a couple of performances worth mentioning. Vaughn makes a wonderful villain. Like all good baddies, he's ruthless when he has a henchman or two around, but turns coward when he's alone. I also got a kick out of the white glove idiosyncrasy. Nice touch. Unlike some other comments I've read on Hammerhead, I really enjoyed Judy Geeson's performance. Yeah, she's annoying at times, but she's meant to be. Her character gives the film a nice 60s vibe that always appeals to me.

Zany spy caper with an American James Bond and an assortment of British b-movie stars.

It's bookended by two crazy freak out style montages of hippie youths doing dangerous antisocial things like dancing and taking off their clothes which the cops put a stop to, but it neatly introduces Judy Geeson who repeatedly shows up in each change of location so often I was convinced she would be revealed as some sort of British intelligence operative masquerading as a nymphomaniacal socialite junkie, stealing every scene she's in by giggling and pouting. Her omnipresence is so remarkable she is the mugaffin.

The rest of it was something about missiles and piano recitals and scenes of torture, the victim of which gets moved around almost as often as Judy Geeson but happily delivers his expository dialogue before expiring giving necessary depth to the hapless stooge before killing off everyone else without worrying about the ethical quandary.

Sadly it's neither funny enough to be a spoof nor serious enough to be a thriller. The violence/ action scenes are a bit unnecessary and the diabolical masterplan seems too fantastic and risky to be plausible. Happily there was no secret underground lair but there were henchmen wearing stripy T-shirts.

A host of familiar faces play small roles including David Prowse, Diana Dors, Kenneth Cope and Veronica Carlson and there's a bit of humour involving a hearse chase but like the diegetic theme song which appears at least 3 times including the hippy dance at the end, it's highly derivative and repetitive. Our man Hood in one scene names the artists of various paintings to demonstrate his cultivation; but does it so many times in succession the he ceases to resemble a gentleman and turns into a tour guide.

Like the crazy kid/ stoner at the end, lowering his caged self into the bay water while everyone dances; it all seems kind of random, dangerous and stupid and someone really should put a stop to it.

I saw this when I was in the ARMY, a BIG waste of time what's worst the The Projectionist must have missed a reel as 1 could see it just didn't fit