Minuit sur le grand canal

Dr. Robert Vaughn (Ph.D Communications), one of the Hardest Working Television and Screen Actors, Stars in this Low-Key Spy Thriller that Manages some Intrigue, a Beautiful Landscape, and a Decent Score from Lalo Schifrin, a few Good Supporting Actors like Ed Asner, Boris Karloff, and Karl Boehm do Good Work, and Elke Sommers Doesn't Do Much.

The most Interesting Part is Not well Integrated, the Secret Psychotronic Weapon. The Third Act Picks Up the Pace that Lingered and Stalled previously. It's a Slow Burner for sure. The Plot can be Hard to Follow for a While, but there is just Enough Professionalism on hand to make this Worth a Watch.

Don't Expect James Bond's High Tectonics and a Silky Smooth Platte and You Might Like this, another Sixties Spy Thriller, one of the Super Serious Ones. Karl Boehm Almost Steals the Show in a Small Part.

1966's "The Venetian Affair" is often thought of as just another theatrical feature derived from television's THE MAN FROM U. N. C. L. E. Due to the presence of Robert Vaughn in the lead, actually turning out to be a rather low key and underdeveloped adaptation of Helen MacInnes' 1963 best seller of the same name, the big screen debut of director Jerry Thorpe. Much of its cast also contributes to that small screen sheen, such as Edward Asner, Roger C. Carmel and Felicia Farr, while international starlets like Elke Sommer and Luciana Paluzzi are totally wasted in throwaway roles. A peace conference in Venice concludes abruptly with 13 people blown up, Asner's security chief requiring the presence of former CIA operative Vaughn because of his ex-wife's suspected involvement, the marriage dissolving when she opted to become a Communist agent. He's no Napoleon Solo, a battered, world weary alcoholic seemingly moving in a daze, reduced to being a wire services correspondent who manages to escape the numerous traps devised for his demise. Only by the one hour mark do we see the actual culprit and his method of mind control, a drug that can make a cat afraid of a mouse, or a peace loving American diplomat become a suicide bomber with the flick of a pen. Shooting began Apr. 13 on location in Italy, while the surprise appearance of Boris Karloff preceded a flurry of activity in the fall of 1966 on episodes of THE WILD, WILD WEST, THE GIRL FROM U. N. C. L. E., I SPY, and especially Chuck Jones's half hour rendition of Dr. Seuss' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (already in the can were animated characters in a pair of Rankin/Bass titles, "The Daydreamer" and "Mad Monster Party?"). Confined to only three scenes totaling nearly 7 minutes screen time as political scientist Dr. Pierre Vaugiroud, the actor first pops up for a full 5 minute sequence opposite Vaughn to reveal knowledge of the recent bombing, then in the latter stages to urge Vaughn to work with the villains, and finally in full hypnotic mode, frantically insisting that he be allowed to offer up his own report to a room filled with vulnerable diplomats, unaware of the bomb secreted in his briefcase. It's a rare straight role during a horror filled decade and one of the more noteworthy performances in a film lacking much intrigue despite the exotic Venetian locations (at least Luciana Paluzzi actually speaks Italian). Robert Vaughn was already an Oscar-nominated actor, and would succeed with his next role in Steve McQueen's "Bullitt," later playing Lord Byron Orlock opposite Roger Corman-shot Karloff footage in the 1989 "Transylvania Twist."

And a big yawn goes to "The Venetian Affair" from 1966.

Based on a Helen McInnes novel, none of which made successful films, it sports an interesting, if not great cast: Robert Vaughn, Ed Asner, Boris Karloff, Elke Sommer, and Karl Boehm. The most interesting things about it are Karloff and the shots of Venice, my favorite city. I wish it had been in color.

The beginning makes one think you're really going to see something. An American diplomat detonates a bomb during a conference on disarmament in Vienna. There doesn't seem to be any reason for him doing so, and the USA doesn't want to be blamed. They start looking for reasons.

Vaughn, playing a drunk named Bill Fenner, who is ex-CIA, is sent back into action by the CIA. He has an ex-wife who is a turncoat, and the CIA is sure he can locate her. They think she might have been involved or at least know something. Fenner never got over her, though you wouldn't know it since he propositions every woman he meets.

It becomes confusing from there -- and boring. Slow pace, and Vaughn was not the stuff movie stars are made of. It's normal when you have a big success like Man from U.N.C.L.E. to try your luck at films, but not everyone succeeds.

Despite what some people state on this board, that people who don't like this movie were expecting explosions and all sorts of car chases and CGI, etc, I didn't care about any of that and never have. It's just not a very intriguing film. All I ask from a spy film is some suspense and a really good story, along with the acting.

During this time, we had the James Bond films with all their gadgets, and U.N.C.L.E., and the producers tried to attract both audiences. A very routine film.

Two things are noteworthy about The Venetian Affair. One was that Robert Vaughn tried to break out into the big screen like such television contemporaries as James Garner and Steve McQueen without the success that they had. The second was that this was the last film Boris Karloff did that was not related to the horror genre.

The film begins with a bang. An American diplomat is given a bomb and it detonates in a disarmament conference in Venice. No one can figure out why, but you can bet the USA does not want to be held responsible when forensics prove it was our guy who was the suicide bomber.

Our man in Venice for the CIA Edward Asner sends for former agent Robert Vaughn who is now an alcoholic newspaperman working for a wire service. They suspect his ex-wife Elke Sommer has something to do with it and he's the best at finding her. She's also the reason that he's no longer with the CIA.

Boris Karloff plays an elderly man of geopolitical mystery. He knows what's going on, but some sinister folks are controlling him.

The Venetian Affair is a pedestrian affair moving at a paint drying pace and Vaughn after being television's urbane Napoleon Solo in The Man From UNCLE never quite got his teeth in this part. Karl Boehm is a good villain and only at the very end do we find out who he is working for. As for the reason why the diplomat did the foul deed, that you watch The Venetian Affair for.

Robert Vaughn was so great as a spy in Man from U.N.C.L.E. that he got a starring role in the full length film Venetian Affair. Vaughn is Fenner, retired CIA, but now working as a reporter (really ?). after the bombing of diplomats in venice, he is sent to get whatever information he can for the wire services. Some other fun names here. the awesome Boris Karloff, taking a break from his horror films. Ed Asner, WAY before MTM or Lou Grant. he had done lots of tv work, but this appears to be his third film role. Elke Sommer did a bunch of projects with Dean Martin. in this film, she's Sandra, who may be involved in the bombing. Karloff is Dr. Vaugiroud, who may or may not be helpful to Fenner. the first half moves pretty slowly.. it's all setup. there's kind of a showdown scene at the end, and things are explained, but it's just so-so. it's entertaining enough, but nothing new and exciting. some fun scenery of Venice, as imdb claims that it actually was filmed there. directed by Jerry Thorp, his first of only two film projects; done in the middle of so many television shows. story by Helen MacInnes, who had a couple novels made into film.