A Man Could Get Killed

What are James Garner, Melina Mercouri, Anthony Franciosa and Sandra Dee all doing in the same picture? Not having a good time, according to reports. American banker Garner arrives in Lisbon on business and is mistaken for the man meant to replace a murdered government agent, who was stabbed while on a search for stolen diamonds. That man's flirtatious widow (Mercouri) spies Garner at her husband's funeral and pursues him. Meanwhile, an American diamond smuggler pretending to be Portuguese (Francisosa, with a lousy accent that apparently convinces Mercouri) is after the gems but is pursued by another American (Dee), a love-hungry college student on holiday. The film's first director, Cliff Owen, was apparently run off by the stars themselves; his successor, Ronald Neame, couldn't stop Garner and Franciosa from going at each other's throats, while Dee, nearing the end of her contract with Universal, complained the eight-week shoot turned into "a miserable four months." Despite all this, there are some witty lines in the screenplay by Richard L. Breen, T. E. B. Clarke and David E. Walker, adapting Walker's novel "Diamonds For Moscow", and Mercouri is an absolute scene-stealer. With a voice so languorous and lascivious it's practically mocking, Melina gives the picture such a lift that, for a few moments, it stops being about diamond smuggling and is instead all about her. The appropriately Latin-influenced score by Bert Kaempfert introduced the instrumental "Strangers in the Night" (originally titled "Beddy Bye"), which netted itself a Golden Globe nomination for Best Song despite the fact it didn't have lyrics yet! ** from ****

I didn't really wanted to add much to the other reviews. If you've watched and just kicked back to many sixties films of this type, and find joy simply soaking the unique sights and sounds of the time that showcases some of the performers of that era, here's another offering to entertain you similarly. You can add it to the many rollicking Tony Curtis, Dean Martin, Rock Hudson, Peter Sellers, Carry on... flavor of comedies that were quite popular then, a time that weren't real for many of us born after.

The remarkable thing is, some people get the impression the actors and crew involved were having as much of a good time off camera as they were having on camera or enjoying themselves as much as the audience that enjoyed it. Not so, according to many involved who spoke about their experience making the film years after. Sandra Dee has expressed that she never wanted to make it in the first place and regrets having spent four miserable months on the picture. The first director was dismissed for having 'trouble' with the actors. James Garner was reportedly disappointed with the result. He and Tony Franciosa didn't get along well during filming either. Their fight scene in the movie was said to be quite non fictional.

In fact, Garner admitted he punched Franciosa because the guy abused and never pulled his punches against stuntmen, or tried at all to feign it as necessary. It's almost like implying Franciosa was displaying a misplaced sense of machismo and bravado on the set. Franciosa was known at the time for not being able to control his hair trigger temper.

Regardless, the fact that they were able to convince so many people they weregenuinely having great fun, getting famously along, and convey a light hearted comical movie lay testament to an actor's ability to act if nothing else.

Just a few additional information about the film that isn't mentioned on this site for those interested.

Funny the things you remember as a kid. I saw this movie with my grandparents at a drive-in and never saw it again. But I clearly remember the plot and characters. It was funny, entertaining, and well worth seeing again. I've been checking everywhere for it on DVD and would like to be notified when it comes out on DVD. Movies like this don't come around often. With the invention of computer animation and high cost movie budgets there seems to be a lack of true screenplay and character building -- "A Man Could Get Killed" was simple, well acted and memorable -- what more could you ask for in a movie? I strongly recommend seeing it if you get the chance.

I saw this film several times, and really thought it was great. James Garner put in a superb performance as did Melina Mercouri. In fact, the chemistry between all of the performers seemed natural and lent to making a hilariously preposterous plot all the more believable.

Try as I might, I can't understand why it was never released on VHS or DVD. I thought the film to be very entertaining. It must have been popular, based on the number of times it was later shown on TV. It seemed too, to be an excellent showcase for James Garner's talents as an actor.

If you get a chance to see the film, please don't hesitate. It was not only very entertaining, but it is a fine representation of the movies of the day - original, intelligent, romantic and funny all at once. It had a quality about it that is sadly lacking in films today.

This really is one of those incredibly exciting caper movies of the 60's and it really is sad that it is not on DVD. Melina Mercouri, a total woman in every sense, exuded sex appeal and charm in a way that few others ever have. All the cast were great and how many know that this is the movie where Strangers in the Night was first heard, a big hit for Frank Sinatra. The European locations were wonderfully atmospheric, and also James Garner in the lead role, so perfectly cast .Sandra Dee and Anthony Franciosa, now both departed added to the confusion and fun of this absolutely delightful movie. The pace never lets up, and whilst James Garner is still with us , would be great to hear his views on working with the other cast members. Lets get this out on DVD!!!