Espions en hélicoptère

1967's "The Helicopter Spies" marked the 7th of 8 feature compilations derived from the popular teleseries THE MAN FROM U. N. C. L. E., actually the show's most expensive two parter from the final season, "The Prince of Darkness Affair." Very much in the light hearted, globetrotting tradition of a typical James Bond effort, and boasting an impressive cast as well, villains like Bradford Dillman and John Dehner, comely femme fatales played by Carol Lynley, Lola Albright, and Julie London, and multiple roles as brothers for H. M. Wynant, reunited with John Carradine after SUGARFOOT ("Devil to Pay") and THE TWILIGHT ZONE ("The Howling Man"). A thermal prism that can fry any pinpointed target leads Napoleon Solo and Ilya Kuryakin from Africa to Greece to Teheran to Los Angeles, Bradford Dillman's Luther Sebastian acquiring the unit for eventual orbit around the earth to dictate terms for his organization, all blonde members of the Third-Way religious cult. Lola Albright is their high priestess Azalea, the most fervent believer that Carradine's Third-Way Priest will finally speak his first words in 20 years to assure their dominance across the globe. It's a sad waste of Carradine in a completely silent role, comically ready to speak at certain intervals only to lapse back into his coma, much to Dillman's disappointment. Dehner's exit at the midway point is another letdown, but Vaughn's blonde disguise lasts long enough for his hair dye to hold out. The last two episodes broadcast in January 1968 would form the basis for the final series feature, "How to Steal the World."