The Intelligence Men

Often lampooned as a poor relation to the famous duo's T.V series, this and the two other films they made(That Riviera Touch/The Magnificent Two)are great showcases for these two comic legends. DO NOT be put of by comments that often follow the films around that often accuse the two of selling out to Hollywood. This is as good a performance that you will ever see from Britain's favourite comedy duo.

Morecombe & Wise's' brief foray into films came a little too early to match their seventies peak and one watches their first film hoping it will be funnier than it ever turns out; although it contains a nice appearance by the boy's early writers Sid Green and Dick Hills, and a running gag involving a sinister stalker in a fur collar and homburg hat, the revelation of whose actual identity (SLIGHT SPOILER COMING:) provides a memorable anti-climax.

And of course it benefits from the fact it was authentically made during the era of James Bond and from the visual style of the period, especially the glamorous women and the quality of the colour.

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 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.