MURDERERS' ROW is the second of the cheesy Matt Helm spy series of the late '60s. These films are broad spoofs of the spy genre as a whole and this one in particular is an open copy of the Bond formula, complete with an oddball henchman, a scheming master villain, and exotic locations. There's a bevy of beautiful actresses in support, although they're less interesting than in the first movie, and Dean Martin's trademark charm is in short supply; I thought all of his one-liners were duds. Still, Karl Malden is an interesting choice of villain and the hovercraft chase climax at least keeps your mind off the inanity of it all.

Murderers' Row, the second of the Matt Helm films that starred Dean Martin has the distinction of being the one that actually gave old Dino a hit record. Martin never sang directly on the screen, but his voice was heard on the soundtrack during soliloquy sequences and in background music. I'm Not The Marrying Kind was the only written for a Matt Helm feature that he's heard singing over the action, especially during the final scene.

Fans of the books that James Bond and Matt Helm were taken from have always said that Hollywood ruined the character. It's probably more true for Matt Helm because Dino doesn't play it for anything other than laughs. James Bond would never talk about sexual escapades, but with Dino as Matt Helm, you know this is all locker room fodder.

Dr. Richard Eastham has invented a solar ray which evil master criminal Karl Malden wants to subvert for his own use. He's planning for a death ray to wipe out Washington, DC. Both Martin and Eastham's daughter Ann-Margret are searching for Eastham, reputed to be with Malden on his private island off the Riviera where with mistress Carmilla Sparv, Malden's planning all kinds of dastardly deeds.

Dino who also produced the Helm series, gave a guest shot to Dino, Desi, and Billy who were a bubblegum band sensation around that time.

Malden looks like he's having a good old blast overacting outrageously as the master criminal. Dino as he is in all the Matt Helm is just Dean Martin as a secret agent. Just giving the public what they wanted at the time which was probably the height of his career.

But whatever you do, don't look at the title Murderers' Row and think it's about the 1927 New York Yankees. The sports are indoors in this film.

This is the second of four Matt Helm movies starring Dean Martin as the super-spy. However, despite the character's name and a few situations, the books have almost nothing to do with the novels from which they are supposedly based. The books were tough and gritty, whereas these films essentially have Martin playing himself and making various smarmy and sexist jokes along the way...most of which aren't particularly funny.

This episode is reminscent of Bond's "You Only Live Twice" as Agent Helm is seemingly murdered but this is only a ruse to allow him to investigate without undue attention. His mission involves looking for a kidnapped laser scientist, as a scumbag, Julian Wall (Karl Malden),has abducted him and plans on using the scientist's knowedge of lasers to make a super-weapon.

As usual, the film is filled with smarmy jokes, gorgeous semi-dressed women and Dean Martin essentially playing the off-screen persona cultivated during the Ratpack years. In addition, there are the usual plethora of Martin songs throughout the movie.

So is this any good? It all depends on you. Feminists clearly would NOT enjoy the films, as women are essentially sex objects and little more. In this case, the lead sex object is played by Ann-Margret. Teen and pre-teen boys probably would love it. As for adults....it all just depends on how much you enjoy dopey and suggestive humor...and not especially sophisticated humor at that. I am not especially a fan...and watched the film as I cleaned the house...including (appropriately enough) the toilets.

If you do watch this film, a couple goofy things tonotice would include seeing wires on the metal-headed guy BEFORE he is 'jettisoned' from the car as well as Malden's bizarre and unfunny joke of changing his accent continually throughout the movie.