Missione speciale Lady Chaplin

This is the third and final film starring secret agent Dick Malloy (Ken Clark). I have not seen either of the previous films but they are spy films much like the 007 films, but made by Italians and starring this lesser-known American actor in the lead.

When the film begins, Lady Chaplin (Daniela Bianchi...of "From Russia With Love" fame) dresses up like a nun and kills some monks in a monastery. Clearly, this lady lacks scruples and she'll come into contact with Dick sooner of later. As for Dick, his boss is worried about a sunken American sub, the USS Thresher. On board are Polaris missiles...nuclear missiles and the good guys need to get to them first. Unfortunately, when Dick goes exploring, he finds the sub but the missile tubes are empty! How does Lady Chaplin play into all this and will she fall for Dick by the end of the movie?

Like a Bond film, this movie has a nice international look--with location shoots in New York, Spain, France, Italy and the UK! It also looks good...with a better than usual budget for an Italian film of the era. Like Bond, this agent has his gadgets and the plot is pretty similar to the Bond thriller "Thunderball"...which debuted the previous year. So is it up to Bond quality or worth seeing? I'd say no and maybe. No, it's not quite bond in quality (such as camera-work, acting and props) and whether or not you will enjoy it depends on if you can get past seeing a relatively bland secret agent...and Dick is a bit limp as a character. But if you simply cannot get enough 007 and don't mind that he's sort of a cheap substitute, Dick is work seeing.

Daniela Bianchi stars in the title role involving the presumed attempt by some unfriendly government or organization to resurface the sunken American atomic submarine Thresher. The American agents know that Jacques Bergerac's organization is the only one capable of raising the sub but feel that he is above suspicion because he's wealthy! Bianchi's cover as a fashion designer is blown during her first meeting with American agent Ken Clark who quickly undresses her - literally! There are some well done action sequences with the fighting scenes especially well choreographed. I enjoyed the chase scene in the bullfight arena. The movie has some beautifully shot on-location scenes in New York, Spain, London, and France. Unfortunately Ken Clark did not have much on screen charisma. And despite Helga Line's top billing she was given little to do. Bianchi and Bergerac are very good, however. The movie does have a good plot and some decent twists at the end. This is a good Euro spy thriller and, in spite of its shortcomings, it is an enjoyable viewing.

I would highly recommend this . Very fun and extraordinary . Rec. from Eurospy Guide by Matt Blake/David Deal.

Daniela Bianchi is perfect for her role as fashion designer, and assassin on the side, (Lady Chaplin) while old Pal (Dick Malloy), reprized by dependable Ken Clark, shares the top billing with Ms.Chaplin. This is a terrific Eurospy which gets off to a fast start and doesn't slow down for an hour. By the time the plot setting scenes take place you will be ready for a break from the wild and well done action sequences. Even the fighting scenes are excellent by Euro standards anyway. Director Al De Martino did a great job with some beautiful and talented lady's. Including, Evelyn Stewart (Constance Day) who plays Lady Chaplin's assistant in both the designing and killing realms. The two beauties have a lot of chemistry and make us believe they have been friends for years. Another bad girl (Hilde) played by Helga Liné is great as a euro version of a gun mole. Mabel Karr as good girl agent (Jacqueline) is in my humble opinion the scene stealer in the film. The plucky and sexy Jacqueline's part is well written and Mabel lights up the screen. The male cast. other then handsome Ken, were not quite up to snuff with the lady's. Alfredo Mayo as the very English (Sir Hillary) is the exception. Jacques Bergerac plays the mean and crazy head bad guy (Kobre Zoltan). The problem with this is Zoltan is supposed to be an America, but The Latin Lover Jauques exudes Europe and I never believed for a second he was an America. Too bad they didn't write his part as a French Bad Guy then it would have been fine. The only other minor complaint is that a beautiful old Citroen Panel Van was sacrificed over a cliff. At least it died in a fine Eurospy.

"Lady Chaplin, in her touch, there is something that means much..." says the song sung by Bobby Solo early in the film, as Daniela Bianchi appears only in some turquoise panties, very sexy, and we see the yellow car rolling down the rocks, when she might as well keep it, she had no reason to push it into the sea. Ken Clark is better than in "Tiffany Memorandum", the story is better(actually, we got a story), we even have an original hanging scene at minute 15.24. So, when disguised as a nun, when as an old lady in a wheelchair, Lady Chaplin-Daniela Bianchi (the beautiful from "From Russia with Love") kills in cold blood everyone she has to. Actually, they are a team of two sexy young women killers, exactly like in Deadlier Than the Male. The gadgets are not missing: if Elke Sommer kills with a bullet-cigar, Bianchi(who looks like a twin sister of Jill Ireland) kills with a gun disguised in the wheelchair. All the fight scenes look very real and, overall, it is pleasant to watch.