Harry Palmer

The Ipcress File was written by Len Deighton (1929-) and published in 1962 it was his first spy novel. The hero of the story was unnamed, it was Michael Caine who came up with the name 'Harry Palmer' when he was cast for the movie version.

There have been 6 novels by Deighton featuring his anonymous hero - The Ipcress File (1962), Horse Under Water (1963), Funeral in Berlin (1964), Billion Dollar Brain (1966), Spy Story (1974) and Twinkle Twinkle Little Spy (1976).

Jean Courtney: Do you always wear your glasses? 
Harry Palmer: Yes. Except in bed. 

The Ipcress File (1965) Directed by Sidney J. Furie. 109mins.

Michael Caine - Harry Palmer
Nigel Green - Major Dalby
Guy Doleman - Colonel Ross
Sue Lloyd - Jean Courtney
Gordon Jackson - Carswell
Aubrey Richards - Dr. Radcliffe

The Ipcress File won 3 British Academy Awards - Best British Film, Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction. The screenplay received a nomination and Michael Caine was nominated for Best Actor.

DGA Nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement (Sidney J. Furie).

Colonel Stok: Do you play chess?
Harry Palmer: Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating.
Colonel Stok: I like you, English. You're not as stupid as you look.

Funeral in Berlin (1966) Directed by Guy Hamilton. 102mins.

Michael Caine - Harry Palmer
Paul Hubschmid - Johnny Vulkan
Oscar Homolka - Colonel Stok
Eva Renzi - Samantha Steel
Guy Doleman - Colonel Ross
Hugh Burden - Hallam

 

Gen. Midwinter: You've disappointed me Harry, you let me down. You've sold out!
Harry Palmer: What have I done?
Gen. Midwinter: I am not going to rest until every communist, and everyone who works for the communists, is six feet under ground. Now go and join your communist friend.
Harry Palmer: You, General, are the biggest idiot I have ever met.

Billion Dollar Brain (1967) Directed by Ken Russell. 111mins.

Michael Caine - Harry Palmer
Karl Malden - Leo Newbigen
Ed Begley - General Midwinter
Oscar Homolka - Colonel Stok
Francoise Dorleac - Anya
Guy Doleman - Colonel Ross
Vladek Sheybal - Dr. Eiwort
Donald Sutherland - Scientist at Computer
Susan George - Russian Girl on Train

Michael Caine would play Harry Palmer again in two made for TV movies - Bullet to Beijing (1995) and Midnight in St. Petersburg (1996), both were filmed back-to-back.

Matt Helm

American secret agent Matt Helm was created by author Donald Hamilton (1916-2006), first appearing in the novel 'Death of a Citizen' published in 1960.

27 Matt Helm novels were written -

Death of a Citizen (1960) The Wrecking Crew (1960) The Removers (1961) The Silencers (1962) Murderers' Row (1962) The Ambushers (1963) The Shadowers (1964) The Ravagers (1964) The Devastators (1965) The Betrayers (1966) The Menacers (1968) The Interlopers (1969) The Poisoners (1971) The Intriguers (1972) The Intimidators (1974) The Terminators (1975) The Retaliators (1976) The Terrorizers (1977) The Revengers (1982) The Annihilators (1983) The Infiltrators (1984) The Detonators (1985) The Vanishers (1986) The Demolishers (1987) The Frighteners (1989) The Threateners (1992) The Damagers (1993)

Gail Hendrix: I want some music.
[Turns on car radio, Frank Sinatra's "Come Fly With Me" plays]
Matt Helm: Oh, turn him off, he's terrible!
[Changes the station, Dean Martin's "Everybody Loves Somebody" plays]
Matt Helm: Now that's a guy that can sing!


The Silencers (1966) Directed by Phil Karlson. 102mins

Dean Martin - Matt Helm
Stella Stevens - Gail Hendricks
Daliah Lavi - Tina
Victor Buono - Tung-Tze
Arthur O'Connell - Joe Wigman
Robert Webber - Sam Gunther
James Gregory - MacDonald
Nancy Kovack - Barbara
Roger C. Carmel - Andreyev
Cyd Charisse - Sarita
Beverly Adams - Lovey Kravezit

Music by Elmer Bernstein

Matt Helm: This is dancing?
Suzie Solaris: It's called a discotheque. You want to try?
Matt Helm: I don't disc 

Murderer's Row (1966) Directed by Henry Levin. 105mins.

Dean Martin - Matt Helm
Ann-Margret - Suzie Solaris
Karl Malden - Julian Wall
Camilla Sparv - Coco Duquette
James Gregory - MacDonald
Beverly Adams - Lovey Kravezit

Jose Ortega: [toasting] Cheers!
Francesca: [also toasting] Skol!
Matt Helm: Sure it's cold. It's got ice in it.  

The Ambushers (1967) Directed by Henry Levin. 102mins.

Dean Martin - Matt Helm
Senta Berger - Francesca Madeiros
Janice Rule - Sheila Sommers
James Gregory - MacDonald
Albert Salmi - Jose Ortega
Kurt Kasznar - Quintana
Beverly Adams - Lovey Kravezit

Bruce Lee was Martial Arts advisor on The Wrecking Crew, seen here rehearsing a fight scene between Sharon Tate and Nancy Kwan.

Chuck Norris standing next to Elke Sommer, his first film role.

Chuck vs Dean!

Lola Medina: I've heard that you do... drink.
Matt Helm: Just call it a hobby.   

The Wrecking Crew (1968) Directed by Phil Karlson. 105mins.

Dean Martin - Matt Helm
Elke Sommer - Linka Karensky
Sharon Tate - Freya Carlson
Nancy Kwan - Yu-Rang
Tina Louise - Lola Medina
Nigel Green - Count Massimo Contini

A fifth Matt Helm movie - The Ravagers - was planned but abandoned after Dean Martin lost interest in continuing the role.

Sharon Tate was brutally murdered by followers of Charles Manson a few months after The Wrecking Crew was released, she was 26 years old and pregnant at the time.

Anthony Franciosa starred in the TV series 'Matt Helm' in 1975-1976. The series lasted one season and 14 episodes.