In Like Flint (1967)

Good movie but grossly overrated

Fresh and Exciting

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

I had fond memories of the Flint films. I had seen them both on the big screen when I was in Junior High. Probably paid 50 cents, or even a dollar to catch a matinee. To a 13 or 14 year old seeing a bunch of women in two piece swimsuits was pretty exciting and super spy Derek Flint was cool. But 50 years later, this did not hold up. Watch an early (Sean Connery) James Bond instead.

Parts Queen of Outer Space and Deadlier Than the Male, this sluggish and shoddy film reaches it's peak in pre title titillation thanks to the opening montage and titles credited to Richard Kuhn and National Screen Service. That and Jerry Goldsmith's fetching score are the only pluses here. Jean Hale who made an impression opposite Stephen Boyd in The Oscar is given nothing of interest to say or do and as an adversary to Coburn's Flint she's like a firm, but polite flight attendant. Lee J. Cobb is featured as much as Coburn's Flint who's busy with dolphins and the ballet. Coburn is not traditionally handsome and isn't believable as someone women would find as irresistible as the dialog often alludes to. And for a spoof the film is silly rather than amusing or witty. It's easy to see why this film ended the series. The inane plot could be funny like Revenge of the Stepford Wives, but Gordon Douglas' direction and the special effects are on a par with TV's Gilligan's Island and Lost in Space respectively, and the ultimate effect is flat and dull and the same could be said for most of the cast including James Coburn whom I've liked before and since this film. There's no conflict or tension, sexual or otherwise in this dull, camp misfire. Roger Ebert gave this turkey 1 and a 1/2 stars out of 4; chalk it up to generosity.

"In Like Flint" (1967): So… Hollywood money moguls are sitting around trying to come up with another idea to compete with the VERY successful James Bond/007 fliks. Out of desperation, this was their return salvo. Ker plunk, in the drink. Coburn claimed that Fox wanted to get 'In Like Flint' into cinemas so badly, the script was of little concern. And, James Coburn is no Sean Connery. Still, you HAVE to luv the awful fashions, bad snappy lines, faux-classy decors, lousy special effects, swingin' Mod score, a lame-ass version of Cold War with the Commies, TONS and TONS of bikini chix, and a story line that will send you into fits of … uh … fits of … anti-nostalgia. The moguls must've thought THIS Joanie-come-lately, anti-equality, anti-feminist, keep 'em bare foot and bikinied theme would really sell… to… uh… someone. It's a funny film, but only because of all the rampant stupidity. A history lesson – a guilty pleasure – nothing more.

Somebody must have visited a 60's-era Titan II site. The missile launch, the silo door opening and other footage were old USAF reels. I know, I worked there during those years. The cable-way (tunnel) closely resembles the Titan passageway also. During the orbital fight scene, those two sure had a lot of room to knock around! Compare to any photos of the super-squeezed Gemini astronauts, also launched on a Titan rocket! Still, it was fun to catch this on TV last night. Couburn always played the "cool" guy, (Great Escape, Magnificent Seven, et al) and this series plays that image to the hilt. Yes, we wince at the chauvinism, and non-PC parts, but that was how it was back then! I'm surprised at how beautiful those ladies were (and probably some still are!)