Search - Fat Spy & Captain Scarlett on DVD

Fun with Dick and Jayne?

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 03/08/2010

(2 out of 5 stars)

"DIRECT SOURCE issues unrestored full screen movies (as many as 4 per single DVD side) that have strong audio. Some extras are included on their single and double play discs. Transfers aren't perfect but are quite watchable and always reasonably priced. I own several of their singles, doubles and boxes and am a satisfied customer.

This is one of their most eclectic twin-film discs. An anachronistic '60s Sunshine State comedy is paired with a tepid Technicolor swashbuckler from a decade earlier.


PROGRAM--

With stand-up comics Phyllis Diller and Jack E. ('Fat Jack') Leonard, plus the musical talents of Johnny Tillotson and the cheesecake appeal of Jayne Mansfield, one would expect THE FAT SPY to be a decent comedy. Instead, this bomb's notoriety is as a dweller on many "Worst Movie" lists. Brian Donlevy looks embarrassed as he lurks among the ashes of his screen career.

Miss Mansfield was 5 and 6 months pregnant when this odiferous beach film (must've been low tide) was shot on-location at Cape Coral, Florida. Here, several nonsensically unrelated plotlines are loosely tacked onto the search for a fountain of youth at a remote island off Florida's coast. Donlevy is both Jayne's father and angry owner of the island which has been invaded by prying teen treasure hunters. 'Fat Jack' plays a pair of brothers-- one who's in love with Jayne and the other who has the hots for Miss Diller. Unbelievable, yes?


Filmed in Mexico but set in post-Napoleonic France, CAPTAIN SCARLETT has a cast of nobodies beyond TV Robin Hood, Richard Greene and is 'B' grade all the way. A familiar premise, that of a nobleman robbed of his estate who goes on a campaign of revenge while aiding other oppressed folks, is poorly served by a weak script and mediocre acting. Even the all-important swordfights lack panache. Beyond pretty color photography, there's little to see here. Recommended only for swashbuckler aficionados."