"A Man Could Get Killed" is an American production, but it has a dry wit that puts it closer to the British school of comedy. It's mildly amusing, though certainly nothing phenomenal. One of its distinguishing qualities is the location shooting around Lisbon (but there is NO Rome whatsoever, a strange inaccuracy in Leonard Maltin's usually dependable guide); another is Melina Mercouri, who, besides looking at least a decade younger than her age at the time (she was in her mid-forties!), is also clearly one of the best actresses to appear in this sort of "fluffy" fare, and brings her distinctive voice and joie de vivre to her role. The rest of the cast also works well, the plot has its share of twists, and the ending makes perfect use of the famous "Strangers In The Night" melody. **1/2 out of 4.
18 Reviews
A typical light, fun and comical 60s movie.
renimagadia14 June 2020
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.
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.
Franciosa & Dee Are The Funny Ones
boblipton3 November 2019
James Garner arrives in Lisbon. He's on assignment from his bank to conduct a survey on a proposed bond issue for hydro-electric power generation. As soon as he arrives, he is mistaken for a British spy sent to investigate a diamond smuggling ring. Every spy in town, down at the heels since the end of the War thinks he's the man to follow around, including Melina Mercouri. Tony Franciosa is not a spy. He's a simple smuggler, who hopes to get a 5% finder's fee, lumbered with Sandra Dee, who's on the prowl for him.
It's a somewhat cumbersome comedy, lumbered with an unfortunate score by Bert Kaempfert; one of the themes would become the hit song "Strangers in the Night." To hear it swell up, played on the mandolin made me hear Sinatra singing it, and distracted me from what was going on. Garner's irritation at being thought a spy and his unconsummated romance with Miss Mercouri began to pall until the plot began to speed up. Franciosa and Dee, on the other hand, with their blithe nonchalance, were delightful through the end.
It's a somewhat cumbersome comedy, lumbered with an unfortunate score by Bert Kaempfert; one of the themes would become the hit song "Strangers in the Night." To hear it swell up, played on the mandolin made me hear Sinatra singing it, and distracted me from what was going on. Garner's irritation at being thought a spy and his unconsummated romance with Miss Mercouri began to pall until the plot began to speed up. Franciosa and Dee, on the other hand, with their blithe nonchalance, were delightful through the end.
A Fun Romp
dowguest8 March 2006
I was shocked when the Academy Award Show mentioned that both Tony Franciosa and Sandra Dee died during the year. They co-starred in one of my favorite movies, A Man Could Get Killed.
How the hell could they be dead? They seemed like kids to me. I guess you live long enough most people start to seem like kids. But these were special to me. They gave me pleasure with their performances in an excellent movie.
Franciosa especially. I became a fan of his for life. He played a native street hustler/smuggler in Lisbon. His accent sounded believable to me. But then Sandra Dee came along.
Wait a minute.
Let's start at the beginning.
James Garner and Melina Mercouri starred in this comedy/action-adventure. (According to an English website Robert Coote starred. Tell them to take their cooties and go home.) Garner plays an American businessman who is mistaken by everybody for a super-secret British agent on the trail of smuggled diamonds. When Coote, supposedly his liaison at the British Embassy meets him at the Lisbon airport, the car intended for him is blown up. No matter how much Garner protests, all of which are accepted as cover for his actual mission, he is then transported into a world of scheming, dangerous, underworld characters.
First among these is the fabulous Melina Mercouri playing the amorous, amoral, ungrieving widow of a recently killed gangster. It is great fun for us to see how much fun she has in this role. She flirts with Garner at the funeral of her husband.
Tony Franciosa, totally charming in his guise as a Portuguese hustler, attaches himself to Garner. Sandra Dee, the archetypical Southern California beach girl appears and exposes Franciosa. They had been connected in America. But Franciosa's exposition is that he is an American hustler, not Portuguese. Not much change there.
The four of them are then off on a life or death quest to find the smuggled diamonds. It is a fun trip. Garner, straight and proper, is continuously agitated by Mercouri's delightful lack of morals.
In one memorable scene, the bad guys tell the two of them to strip so they can be searched. While Garner tries to defend her honor, Mercouri eagerly begins to comply. She begins by removing her false eyelashes.
This is a fun romp with charismatic stars and great chemistry between them. Much of the fine background music throughout became the ballad, "Strangers in the Night." See it if you get a chance.
And say goodbye to Sandra Dee and Tony Franciosa.
How the hell could they be dead? They seemed like kids to me. I guess you live long enough most people start to seem like kids. But these were special to me. They gave me pleasure with their performances in an excellent movie.
Franciosa especially. I became a fan of his for life. He played a native street hustler/smuggler in Lisbon. His accent sounded believable to me. But then Sandra Dee came along.
Wait a minute.
Let's start at the beginning.
James Garner and Melina Mercouri starred in this comedy/action-adventure. (According to an English website Robert Coote starred. Tell them to take their cooties and go home.) Garner plays an American businessman who is mistaken by everybody for a super-secret British agent on the trail of smuggled diamonds. When Coote, supposedly his liaison at the British Embassy meets him at the Lisbon airport, the car intended for him is blown up. No matter how much Garner protests, all of which are accepted as cover for his actual mission, he is then transported into a world of scheming, dangerous, underworld characters.
First among these is the fabulous Melina Mercouri playing the amorous, amoral, ungrieving widow of a recently killed gangster. It is great fun for us to see how much fun she has in this role. She flirts with Garner at the funeral of her husband.
Tony Franciosa, totally charming in his guise as a Portuguese hustler, attaches himself to Garner. Sandra Dee, the archetypical Southern California beach girl appears and exposes Franciosa. They had been connected in America. But Franciosa's exposition is that he is an American hustler, not Portuguese. Not much change there.
The four of them are then off on a life or death quest to find the smuggled diamonds. It is a fun trip. Garner, straight and proper, is continuously agitated by Mercouri's delightful lack of morals.
In one memorable scene, the bad guys tell the two of them to strip so they can be searched. While Garner tries to defend her honor, Mercouri eagerly begins to comply. She begins by removing her false eyelashes.
This is a fun romp with charismatic stars and great chemistry between them. Much of the fine background music throughout became the ballad, "Strangers in the Night." See it if you get a chance.
And say goodbye to Sandra Dee and Tony Franciosa.
It's unusual to find this many dead spies in one day.
mark.waltz12 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A terrific stand-up of the 60's spy film friend, this deals with American businessman James Garner who arrives in Spain and ends up becoming involved in a smuggling ring that he desperately wants to get out of. Is it because he showed up at the funeral of an alleged spy and is spotted and thus confused with someone else? He ends up in Lisbon with Melina Mercouri and Anthony Franciosa, along with Robert cute and annoying ex-girlfriend Sandra Dee. Against his will, Garner finds himself deeply involved and running around trying to avoid being killed for something that he didn't want to be involved with in the first place.
This is a fun period piece of 60's style adventure that introduced the Frank Sinatra song "Strangers in the Night" which is heard throughout the film but sung by someone else. Mercouri and Garner have terrific chemistry. Roland Culver and Dulcie Gray join Coote for a jolly good show of British eccentric light comedy. Action packed and funny, filled with beautiful location footage, and it's easy to see why Dee did not like doing this film. Her character screeches throughout, ironically saying but that's a characteristic she hates in people. Less convoluted than other spy films that I've seen, it's easy non-challenging viewing that does nothing more than what it strives for.
This is a fun period piece of 60's style adventure that introduced the Frank Sinatra song "Strangers in the Night" which is heard throughout the film but sung by someone else. Mercouri and Garner have terrific chemistry. Roland Culver and Dulcie Gray join Coote for a jolly good show of British eccentric light comedy. Action packed and funny, filled with beautiful location footage, and it's easy to see why Dee did not like doing this film. Her character screeches throughout, ironically saying but that's a characteristic she hates in people. Less convoluted than other spy films that I've seen, it's easy non-challenging viewing that does nothing more than what it strives for.
Fun and games in the "Red Pig"
myriamlenys26 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
In which a variety of spies, thieves, smugglers, policemen and special agents are after a fortune in diamonds.
"A man could get killed" is a mix of romance, suspense and comedy. While the movie is pretty funny in parts, and while it contains some inspired one-liners, the whole does not entirely convince. This may be caused by the fact that the intrigue is quite convoluted, complete with characters who may (or may not) have a double or even triple agenda. After a while the viewer begins to need written notes in order to follow the plot.
The movie, which is set in sunny Portugal, rather suggests that this country exerts an irresistible attraction to louche miscreants from all over the world. One hopes that the Portugese National Tourist Board did not support the production with a subsidy.
Personally I liked "A man", mainly for Melina Mercouri's blithely irrepressible Aurora. I also enjoyed the fine music. Did you know that "A man" contains the instrumental version of the tune that conquered the charts under the title of "Strangers in the night" ?
"A man could get killed" is a mix of romance, suspense and comedy. While the movie is pretty funny in parts, and while it contains some inspired one-liners, the whole does not entirely convince. This may be caused by the fact that the intrigue is quite convoluted, complete with characters who may (or may not) have a double or even triple agenda. After a while the viewer begins to need written notes in order to follow the plot.
The movie, which is set in sunny Portugal, rather suggests that this country exerts an irresistible attraction to louche miscreants from all over the world. One hopes that the Portugese National Tourist Board did not support the production with a subsidy.
Personally I liked "A man", mainly for Melina Mercouri's blithely irrepressible Aurora. I also enjoyed the fine music. Did you know that "A man" contains the instrumental version of the tune that conquered the charts under the title of "Strangers in the night" ?
An awful movie who's only claim to fame is the soundtrack.
gsskimsing-2241826 August 2015
I like James Garner, but honestly, how he must have squirmed during the making of this movie. An inane plot involving smuggled diamonds, spy vs spy skulduggery and total lack of chemistry between a supposed romance between James Garner and Melina Mercouri. Not only that, the supporting cast of Sandra Dee and Anthony Franciosa makes you wonder just who's playing the lead roles. And the bumbling villains are so incompetent and nonthreatening that they're more of a distraction than anything else. I suspect the studio wanted to reprise the excellent thriller "Charade" made 3 years earlier, but in that they failed dismally. The only thing going for this movie is that the theme song "Strangers in the Night" became such a big hit.
A waste of time!
RodrigAndrisan13 February 2021
Only Melina Mercouri is funny, a little bit, that's all. The rest of the cast, except for Tony Franciosa who tried hard, is embarrassing, especially James Garner, who was never a great actor. Sorry, he was 1.87 m tall! One star for Melina.
Dry-humored spy spoof
HotToastyRag28 June 2022
The most famous thing to come out of the 1966 movie A Man Could Get Killed is the standard "Strangers in the Night", played continuously throughout the film. Without the words, it sounds slightly upbeat, whimsical, European, and it lets you know that nothing really bad will happen in this international spy flick. It is a comedy, after all.
James Garner, an American banker, lands in Lisbon and immediately gets mistaken for an English secret agent. He's whisked away and saved from a car bomb, then taken to a funeral and gets winked at by the "bereaved" widow Melina Mercouri. There's a running joke throughout the movie that Melina can't keep her clothes on, probably because she always disrobes on the screen. Jimmy takes orders from Cecil Parker and Anthony Franciosa, even though he's constantly confused and has no idea what he's supposed to do as a secret agent. Don't hold it against Tony if you think his Portuguese accent could use some work; it's not supposed to be very good. Tony also has to fend off Sandra Dee (who thankfully doesn't try to put on an accent), who believes he's her one true love.
There were lots of spy spoofs in the 1960s to capitalize on the popularity of the James Bond movies, so if you like that subgenre, you can try this one. Dean Martin made a few, as did Dirk Bogarde, David Niven, and Rod Taylor. This one has some pretty dry humor in the screenplay, so try to get used to the style. "Stay calm, it's only another dead body," is one of the funnier lines as events spiral out of control.
James Garner, an American banker, lands in Lisbon and immediately gets mistaken for an English secret agent. He's whisked away and saved from a car bomb, then taken to a funeral and gets winked at by the "bereaved" widow Melina Mercouri. There's a running joke throughout the movie that Melina can't keep her clothes on, probably because she always disrobes on the screen. Jimmy takes orders from Cecil Parker and Anthony Franciosa, even though he's constantly confused and has no idea what he's supposed to do as a secret agent. Don't hold it against Tony if you think his Portuguese accent could use some work; it's not supposed to be very good. Tony also has to fend off Sandra Dee (who thankfully doesn't try to put on an accent), who believes he's her one true love.
There were lots of spy spoofs in the 1960s to capitalize on the popularity of the James Bond movies, so if you like that subgenre, you can try this one. Dean Martin made a few, as did Dirk Bogarde, David Niven, and Rod Taylor. This one has some pretty dry humor in the screenplay, so try to get used to the style. "Stay calm, it's only another dead body," is one of the funnier lines as events spiral out of control.
Great Film!
reendav17 September 2005
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.
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.
Sixties diamond Caper!
mrcaw25 February 2001
Just wanted to let anyone who might stumble upon this movie to know that it's certainly worth your time viewing. Melina Mercouri is great as the widow of a shadowy underworld figure who entangles James Garner in her search for missing booty. The booty being a small fortune in loose diamonds. The movie has lots of sixties style going for it and is set in beautiful Mediterranean locales. With a great supporting cast of sixties superstars like Sandra Dee and Tony Franciosa the movie entertains with tons of tounge in cheek, cloak and dagger sexy verve. It's a fun in the sun movie with all the stars putting in great performances. One final note, as the credits roll at the end of the movie, Frank Sinatra's rendition of Strangers in the Night provides a fitting and satisfying end.
I would love to see this movie out in DVD!
eric-77917 July 2005
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.
Wonderful and should be out on DVD
skoyles15 September 2003
A year before we were married, my wife and I went to see this movie on a date. We have not seen it since, yet we still quote a line or two from it all these decades later. I hope we do not have to wait for James Garner's death before it is released on DVD. It is a truly funny motion picture, liked even by someone like me who likes very few comedies. As I recall, the humour in this movie springs from the story, ridiculous though it may be, and that makes for a good amusing film. Robert Coote in particular was superb.
Fantastic Movie
nigel499 June 2008
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!!!
Sixties hokum!
ctostino28 April 2017
1965s 'A Man Could Get Killed' is a great slice of 60s movie hokum. It has James Garner at his "Basically, I'm just passing through on my way to Australia" best. Added to that, the cream of England's 'old duffer' character actors, Coote, Culver, Parker and Grey. An interesting cameo from the great Irish doctor/actor Niall MacGinnis, as the ships captain. Sandra Dee is as loud as any American tourist in Europe should be allowed to get, but still gorgeous. Tony Franciosa as the pretend Portuguese smuggler is fun and of course the wonderful, and criminally underrated, Melina Mercouri stealing the show. Throw in some diamonds and it all adds up to a not bad 97 minutes of escapism. And with a nice romantic ending to the strains of, probably Bert Kaempfert's greatest tune 'Strangers in the Night'. What's not to like! I saw this film as a young boy, when first released, loved it and have never forgotten it. How this film is not available on DVD is beyond me! It's about time we had a box set of James Garner 60s films with, obviously, this film included.
Adventure in Portugal
Randwulf14 February 2012
When I was in high school I played in our school orchestra, and one of the pieces we regularly performed was the popular song made famous by Frank Sinatra, "Strangers in the Night". On the sheet music written in fine print under the title were the words, "From the 1966 Universal motion picture 'A Man Could Get Killed'". It sounded like it might be a spy movie because of the year it was released, and being a fan of spy movies I eventually did some research on what the film is about - a fortune in smuggled diamonds sought by spy versus spy versus average guy mistaken for a spy (kind of like Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest"). I hate what they call "spy spoofs" which are disrespectful to the genre and don't take romantic heroism seriously (and which lack the admiring parody found in the television series "Get Smart"), but this is not that tongue-in-cheek "camp" stuff. It's a movie with a serious plot yet with loads of humor, and that's a totally different animal.
The cast and the Portuguese locations sounded great, so I started looking for a DVD of this gem I had missed. I couldn't find one anywhere, and I looked and looked in every place I could think of! Why this wonderful movie has been neglected is beyond me, but at last I did find a DVD on an obscure online auction site and the seller shipped it to my USA home from Europe. I am thankful, because I absolutely loved this movie when I finally got a chance to see it.
James Garner and Melina Mercouri are the "strangers in the night". Sandra Dee, Tony Franciosa, Robert Coote and all the cast are very enjoyable to watch, and the plot is fun! I hadn't seen Melina Mercouri in her famous role in "Never On Sunday" (1960), but I had seen her in "Topkapi" (1964). It was long ago and I didn't remember much about her except that she seemed intense. When she appeared on the screen in "A Man Could Get Killed" she struck me as the kind of husky-voiced foreign woman who is both laid-back and excitable at the same time. To date her would be like having a date with a Soviet commissar or something. Yet as the movie progressed she really began to allure me, and she became just wonderful! I fell in love with her, as James Garner's character secretly does too. This leads up to the final scene of the movie, which is simply unforgettable.
I realize that everybody has their tastes and maybe for you this caper movie wouldn't be anything special, but my wish is for those of you who would be inclined to like it the same pleasure I had viewing it! I also want it to be made more widely available so it will finally get the recognition it deserves.
The cast and the Portuguese locations sounded great, so I started looking for a DVD of this gem I had missed. I couldn't find one anywhere, and I looked and looked in every place I could think of! Why this wonderful movie has been neglected is beyond me, but at last I did find a DVD on an obscure online auction site and the seller shipped it to my USA home from Europe. I am thankful, because I absolutely loved this movie when I finally got a chance to see it.
James Garner and Melina Mercouri are the "strangers in the night". Sandra Dee, Tony Franciosa, Robert Coote and all the cast are very enjoyable to watch, and the plot is fun! I hadn't seen Melina Mercouri in her famous role in "Never On Sunday" (1960), but I had seen her in "Topkapi" (1964). It was long ago and I didn't remember much about her except that she seemed intense. When she appeared on the screen in "A Man Could Get Killed" she struck me as the kind of husky-voiced foreign woman who is both laid-back and excitable at the same time. To date her would be like having a date with a Soviet commissar or something. Yet as the movie progressed she really began to allure me, and she became just wonderful! I fell in love with her, as James Garner's character secretly does too. This leads up to the final scene of the movie, which is simply unforgettable.
I realize that everybody has their tastes and maybe for you this caper movie wouldn't be anything special, but my wish is for those of you who would be inclined to like it the same pleasure I had viewing it! I also want it to be made more widely available so it will finally get the recognition it deserves.
Add this film to the Criterion Collection!
nancy241014 October 2018
I totally agree with eric-779. I had a similar experience as a teenager and the movie has left a lasting impression. Have checked on and off for years to see if was ever released of VHS, DVD or Blu-ray!! Universal....please re-release this film!
Writing lets it down
aramis-112-80488027 April 2024
Whatever happened to the intelligent "adult" comedy movie? Well, my theory is that they made one too many like "A Man Could Get Killed."
The movie starts out well: Garner is a banker examining some sort of prospects near Lisbon (that part doesn't matter in the slightest, it's just an excuse to get him there) and from the moment he disembarks from the airplane it's assumed by everyone he's an American spy and no one will listen to the truth, thinking it's a clever cover story.
This includes the dunderheads at the British embassy (Robert Coote, Cecil Parker) an American smuggler posing as Portugese (Anthony Franciosa) and a collection of spies working in groups of twos and threes who are more like Keystone Kops.
Garner plays "comically frustrated" as well as or better than anyone in the business and I've never seen Franciosa better. And the movie has some fine comic moments. I even laughed out loud and I'm pretty jaded.
But as the movie drags on it seems to run out of ideas. It gets bogged down in fish and rice scenes (if you must know what that means, see the flick). Though it does keep trying new (rather, familiar) plot twists right up to the climax, i'd trade a plot twist or two for something funny.
In fact, one of the best things about "A Man Could Get Killed" is a trial run of music for what became "Strangers in the Night," a chart-topping hit for Sinatra in the age of the Beatles. It's lovely.
If the writers (or whomever) had been able to sustain the ideas and energy propelling its first half-hour "A Man Could Get Killed" might've been a spy-spoof classic. Garner is certainly good enough and has range enough as an actor to carry it off, as he did in the comic-western "Support Your Local Sheriff " But at some point someone decided the way to proceed was with boring scenes of fish and rice and that's what we're left with.
(James Coburn's unfortunately dated spy spoof "The President's Analyst" nailed the genre better and despite a third-act lull ultimately sustains itself to the end.)
I like Sandra Dee but she's just awful. Rumor is, she didn't want to go to Lisbon and was forced to do the movie contractually. I never "got" Melina Mercori and that's probably my own blind spot, but I can provide, under separate cover, a list of actresses I'd prefer cast as the women who bedevil Garner and Franciosa (as if Coote, Parker and the spies didn't bedevil them enough).
Overall, a worthy try until it runs out of steam. Despite a wonderful title, good music, and fine performances by Garner and Franciosa, "A Man Could Get Killed" is not a must-see classic you've missed all your life. Too bad.
The movie starts out well: Garner is a banker examining some sort of prospects near Lisbon (that part doesn't matter in the slightest, it's just an excuse to get him there) and from the moment he disembarks from the airplane it's assumed by everyone he's an American spy and no one will listen to the truth, thinking it's a clever cover story.
This includes the dunderheads at the British embassy (Robert Coote, Cecil Parker) an American smuggler posing as Portugese (Anthony Franciosa) and a collection of spies working in groups of twos and threes who are more like Keystone Kops.
Garner plays "comically frustrated" as well as or better than anyone in the business and I've never seen Franciosa better. And the movie has some fine comic moments. I even laughed out loud and I'm pretty jaded.
But as the movie drags on it seems to run out of ideas. It gets bogged down in fish and rice scenes (if you must know what that means, see the flick). Though it does keep trying new (rather, familiar) plot twists right up to the climax, i'd trade a plot twist or two for something funny.
In fact, one of the best things about "A Man Could Get Killed" is a trial run of music for what became "Strangers in the Night," a chart-topping hit for Sinatra in the age of the Beatles. It's lovely.
If the writers (or whomever) had been able to sustain the ideas and energy propelling its first half-hour "A Man Could Get Killed" might've been a spy-spoof classic. Garner is certainly good enough and has range enough as an actor to carry it off, as he did in the comic-western "Support Your Local Sheriff " But at some point someone decided the way to proceed was with boring scenes of fish and rice and that's what we're left with.
(James Coburn's unfortunately dated spy spoof "The President's Analyst" nailed the genre better and despite a third-act lull ultimately sustains itself to the end.)
I like Sandra Dee but she's just awful. Rumor is, she didn't want to go to Lisbon and was forced to do the movie contractually. I never "got" Melina Mercori and that's probably my own blind spot, but I can provide, under separate cover, a list of actresses I'd prefer cast as the women who bedevil Garner and Franciosa (as if Coote, Parker and the spies didn't bedevil them enough).
Overall, a worthy try until it runs out of steam. Despite a wonderful title, good music, and fine performances by Garner and Franciosa, "A Man Could Get Killed" is not a must-see classic you've missed all your life. Too bad.
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