Hammerhead

I saw this when I was in the ARMY, a BIG waste of time what's worst the The Projectionist must have missed a reel as 1 could see it just didn't fit

For years I thought Victor Mature was the most uncharismatic, untalented actor to have ever managed to succeed in Hollywood, but now, ladies and gents, I stand corrected. That dishonor must go to the, er, "star" of Hammerhead, Mr Vince Edwards. In short, he's an utter bore. As is the movie. But my God, is he dreadful. His face is like a catcher's mitt, just expressionless throughout the whole movie. His voice is one note of droning monotony and as for his physical presence, well, I suspect most of the action was performed by a double as they consisted mostly of suspicious close ups of legs and arms being thrust in the direction of bad guys without ol' Vince's hammerface in the shot.

Won't bother with the plot, critique the direction or soundtrack ... sufficed to say it all pretty much stinks.

I'm a massive spy movie fan - seen 'em all pretty much - especially the 60s adventure ones, and I must say this movie is easily one of the worst. Even the mostly incomprehensible Italian stuff of the same era is a lot more fun and watchable than this rubbish.

The only good thing from Hammerhead are the girls. Plenty of them and all pretty.

"Hammerhead" fit very nicely into the 60's/70's explosion of spy flicks which were rushed into theaters following the success of James Bond. It was less humorous and over-the-top than either the Matt Helm or Derek Flint series, but less dark than the Harry Palmer films. It was a solid blend of humor and action and stands as one of the best productions of the era.

Vince Edwards did quite a very respectable job as Charles Hood, handling himself exceptionally well in the action sequences, making a credible two-fisted action hero. Peter Vaughn was excellent as the eccentric title villain and I have a memory of a very well done chase sequence with Edwards and a motorcycle that sticks in my mind. Judy Geeson as Hood's romantic interest, while cute and 60's groovy, was incredibly weak and was the film's major drawback, much like a large number of the Bond Girls of the Roger Moore era.

"Hammerhead" was based on the Charles Hood spy novel by Steven Coulter, writing as James Mayo. Coulter/Mayo was a friend and contemporary of Ian Fleming and even helped Fleming with the background material for CASINO ROYALE. Coulter finished five spy novels in the Hood series. They are actually quite good and it's a shame that Irving Allen only made one Charles Hood film. I recommend the novels as well if you can find any of them in print anymore.

I saw "Hammerhead" in the theater when it was first released and then remember seeing an edited version on TV some time later. Although it's been a very long time since I've seen "Hammerhead", I have very fond memories of it and would love to see a DVD release of it in the future.

I recommend "Hammerhead" as one of the better spy adventures of the 60's.

The James Bond Series of Films, the Longest Continuation in History, was a "Sixties" Invention.

Now, Die-Hard Fans "Take a Deep Breath"...The Body of Work as a Whole does Not Hold Up all that well.

With Exceptions for sure, there is a lot of Mediocrity with some Great and some, let's just say Not So Great when Viewed Today Objectively and Without Nostalgia.

The Bond Mega-Success Spawned Much to Answer for. Spin-Offs that Range from Clever to "WTF?".

Many Types Varying in Scope, Budget, and Talent. Film as well as its Baby-Brother "TV" were Ablaze with "Secret Agent" Mania.

Here We have a Feature Film with a Half and Half Approach.

Spoof and Parody along with some Intrigue and Genuine and Unfettered Mimicry with Gimmickry making an Appearance if Not on a Grand Scale.

That Became one of the Bond Series Iffy "Evolution" where the Producers and Filmmakers got a Bit "Big For Their Britches". Mostly in the "Roger Moore" Movies.

Vince Edwards seems somewhat Miscast. A Former Handsome Body Builder who made His Mark as TV's Ben Casey had a Pleasant if Limited Screen Presence.

He doesn't even Try and Stretch as "Hood" the Bondish Persona only Hinted at. Edwards Amiably goes through the motions with mostly a Smirk.

The Supporting Cast is Highlighted by a Spunky "Mod" Bond-Girl (Judy Geeson). She is (like the movie) a Love/Hate Affair. Her Performance is so Over the Top, but Having Fun, and Signals what the Tone of the Film is All About.

Some Appeal can be Had at the Hands of Middle Class Hippies and Their "Experimenting" with Art and Fashion. Something that Rarely Approaches Verisimilitude in a Movie.

It's a Loud, Brash, Colorful Attempt and Fans are Straight Down the Middle...

Yep, They either Love it...or Hate it.

Got a Mind...Don't Waste it...You Decide.

While I have not seen the Hammerhead movie, I do have the soundtrack album.

I ended up ordering it by mistake about 25 years ago, and when I got it, I opened it anyway as I collect soundtracks, and had never heard of the movie Hammerhead.

There is a catchy theme song, and some cool chase music, as well as other tunes, and even a Hammerhead 'concerto' on the record.

If this movie ever comes out on video, I would like to see it in order to associate the music with the scenes.

The music is typical of the 60s and is very light-hearted and fun to listen to.