Blog Entry #17 --- Two Euro crime gems ----
THEY CAME TO ROBLAS
VEGAS
THEY CAME TO ROB
Tons of robbery, heist, and crime does not pay flicks were made in Europe during
the wild 1960’s.
the wild 1960’s.
At SUPERNATURAL THEATER, I still love these almost lost, barely released on video films.
Cool 1960's technology! High tech armored truck, & laser rays in a diamond safe in Rio!
If you suspend your knowledge of cell phones, GPS, satellite tracking, electronic security, and the rest of today's technologies, you can sit back and really enjoy these 2 great heist flicks.
If you suspend your knowledge of cell phones, GPS, satellite tracking, electronic security, and the rest of today's technologies, you can sit back and really enjoy these 2 great heist flicks.
Fantastic locations, strong international casts, fabulous music, flashy camerawork, and solid direction set these both apart from it's competition. Then and now!
I still love these two today !
Up first---------------
THEY CAME TO ROB LAS VEGAS
OUR MEN IN LAS VEGAS
An ANTONIO ISASI Film
Starring GARY LOCKWOOD, ELKE SOMMER,
LEE J. COBB, and JACK PALANCE as Douglas
Co-starring George Geret, Daniel Martin, Gustavo Re, Maurizio Arena,
Fabrizio Capucci, Gerard Tichy, Jorge Rigaud, Enrique Avila, and Jean Servais as Gino
Directed by ANTONIO ISASI
Produced by NAT WACHSBERGER
Music by Georges Garvarentz
Photography by Juan Gelpi
Gino is a aged gangster that escapes prison (played by Jean
Servais).
He wants to rob a state of the art 1968 armored truck that carries
millions of dollars owned by Steve Skorsky (Lee J. Cobb).
One problem, Skorsky’s trucks have never been hit successfully.
Skorsky’s own motto is that “Nobody can rob a Skorsky truck”.
He transports money from city to city out west, like Las
Vegas , to San Francisco , to Los Angeles
Gino goes to his young brother, named Tony Ferris (played by Gary Lockwood)
to entice him to join his gangsters for a Skorsky robbery in San Francisco
Tony reminds Gino that tim es
have changed with new technology like computers, moon flight, and men walking
in space. His crime style is a thing of the past.
Gino accuses Tony that he’s joined the new age with long hair, flower pants, and
smoking grass. That he prefers paper
flowers instead of paper money. (You can tell we're in the sixties)
Tony leaves him.
Gino and his gang attempt to rob a Skorsky truck using the methods of
yesteryear.
They stage a car ambush cutting
off the truck near Golden Gate bridge.
Gunshots and bazooka shots barely touch the new heavy armored
vehicle, that’s complete with TV cameras, short wave radio, video monitoring, and
machine guns.
The police instantly appear, and kill all the failed robbers, including
Gino.
Observers appear on an overpass, including Tony, seeing his dead brother.
With sunglasses on, Tony seems unmoved and unemotional.
Or so we think.
With sunglasses on, Tony seems unmoved and unemotional.
Or so we think.
Ann Bennett is the beautiful talented secretary for Steve Skorsky
(lovely Elke Sommer) at his operation in California
Tony Ferris is now a blackjack dealer in a casino in Las Vegas
Ann loves to win at Tony’s table. After work Tony goes to his motel
room,
to find Ann in his bed waiting for him. Not only are they lovers,
they are partners to skim winnings from the casino, dividing their take.
Ultimately Tony needs information about Skorsky's operation from Ann.
Ultimately Tony needs information about Skorsky's operation from Ann.
Tony watches a Skorsky truck load up, and leave for the airport.
We then meet Inspector Douglas from
the Treasury department (Jack Palance).
He suspects Skorsky for transporting, and laundering illegal funds for
the Costra Nostra in his trucks along with legal money cargo.
Douglas’ agent orders Skorsky’s crew to open up the bonded bank
delivery at the airport.
No illegal funds found.
No illegal funds found.
His career on the line.
Tony wants to rob a Skorsky truck.
On one particular truck route, he shoots home 8mm movies of the armored trucks going through the desert near Las Vegas
Later he meets up with the six members of his gang.
Diagrams, plans, and the movies are shown to the group for the job.
Skorsky is wary of the treasury, and wants to pull out of the Costra Nostra.
The boss (Roger Hanin) is not thrilled with Skorsky wanting to leave the table after eating so well at it. Skorsky is firm, he has one last job with them, and then out.
Douglas poses as an insurance executive that insures Skorsky, to dig up some dirt.
The master computer plans all the routes, and driver schedules. Douglas believes that the drivers Halvorsen, Nicholls, and Young are the team that transports the spoils. Lo and behold, one more run for those 3 together. Douglas has one more shot to catch Skorsky.
Ann gives the date for the next desert run, that Tony really needs.
Ann also wants to make sure Tony loves her, not just using her for info
for the heist.
Does he love her, or just using her?
Does he love her, or just using her?
Tony gets the gang prepared for the robbery.
What do you do with a large truck, when the police swarm in in one
hour?
And you still have the guards inside with heavy armor.
They bury it in the sand in a large pit with metal plates and supports as a roof,
with more sand covering up the top. Then they can take their tim e, and burn a hole in the armor to reach the door
opening wiring box.
Douglas pulls a quick switch. He takes 2 of the 3 of the crews and replaces them with his treasury agents. Leaves only one to be on the video monitor for Skorsky headquarters to see.
Now Douglas has a chance to nab Skorsky.
The robbery begins.
Before the unexpected climax, there are many twists that happen in the story.
The end is quite satisfying, and surprising.
Tony finally gets revenge for Gino’s death, but at what price?
My Rating ----- B Plus
They Came to Rob Las Vegas
If you drop our current technology, you can really enjoy all the twists in
this film.
Gary Lockwood leads the cast with his first great character after his
role in 2001, A Space Odysey. In the sixties, the anti-hero type became
popular after guys like Eastwood, and McQueen arrived on the scene.
Lockwood portrays a good strong lead in
the 1960’s mold.
Elke Sommer is absolutely gorgeous as Ann. Her character is pivotal, cause she plays
both sides being Skorsky’s mistress, and betraying him for Tony’s attentions and the
spoils from the robbery.
She still loves Tony, even though she realizes the danger in it.
Love her line --- We’re not borrowing trouble, We’re earning it.
She’s not only beautiful in this, but is an empowered woman for the
era.
Both Lee J. Cobb, and Jack Palance must have had fun portraying their
strong characters.
I met Palance by chance inPennsylvania at an Italian restaurant in he late 70’s, and we discussed his European films---Vegas, The Mercenary,
and Night Train to Milan
These I had film prints of.
He remarked about Isasi’s filming technique of multiple camera angles, and many repeat takes. He enjoyed making this film, and I was pleased that he was open and friendly to me.
A great memory of coffee and dessert with a true film legend.
I met Palance by chance in
These I had film prints of.
He remarked about Isasi’s filming technique of multiple camera angles, and many repeat takes. He enjoyed making this film, and I was pleased that he was open and friendly to me.
A great memory of coffee and dessert with a true film legend.
The supporting cast were memorable too.
Georges Geret was ahead of his tim e
for playing an openly gay robber. Jean Servais was too old to play Tony’s
brother, but was strong as usual. Fabrizio Capucci as wild card Cooper was way
over the top. --- Good casting all around.
Two standouts for this film---the photography by Juan Gelpi,
and the jazzy music by Georges Garvarentz.
Gelpi used Technicolor and
Techniscope quite well, with glistening shots of the desert, casinos, and even
made the inside of the truck look good.
Isasi shoots a scene from multiple angles, then edits making it seem a
circular motion
around the actors. Cool.
around the actors. Cool.
The score by Garvarentz was outstanding. One of the best soundtracks,
matching the action to each shot. Very cool. Finally got a decent CD release about 3 years ago.
Now finally available in the US on a glorious Wide screen DVD from Warner Bros. Yes!!!!
Was previously unavailable on video in the US.
This was shown for a short time on Turner TBS TV in the early 1980's.
Just shown again on Turner Classics in 2012. Looked nice in widescreen.
Just shown again on Turner Classics in 2012. Looked nice in widescreen.
I still have two 16mm film prints of this after all these years. One film print was from the now historic Army-Air Force film service. It must have been shown a kazillion times
to the soldiers in Vietnam. It's looks great in I.B. Teanicolor and Techiscope.
The second print is a Eastmancolor TV print.
to the soldiers in Vietnam. It's looks great in I.B. Teanicolor and Techiscope.
The second print is a Eastmancolor TV print.
Part of my desert island collection aka. the till I die film collection.
Grab the video while you can!
Enjoy a cool flick from the sixties.
Enjoy a cool flick from the sixties.
The French and Italian posters. The director, Antonio Isasi.
Five production photos from filming.
Gary Lockwood, starred with Keir Dullea in one of the most famous and magnificent films ever made --- Stanley Kubrick's 2001 A Space Odyssey from 1968.
Recent shot of Lockwood with Dullea.
Title card from the US theatrical trailer.
One of the greatest movie soundtracks. The music by Georges Garvarentz----fantastic!
The record album was a rare find in the US in the 1970's. Sold up to $150 each at
Colony Records in NYC. Now on CD from Europe.
Fabulous Frank McCarthy artwork. Posters from France, Japan, and Germany below that.
Up next here at Supernatural Theater------- Rio Rififi style!
10 Million in diamonds. One whisper could set off the world's most sensitive alarm-----
The Grand Slam 70!
GRAND SLAM
TOP JOB
DIAMONDS A GO-GO
DIAMONDS A GO-GO
Starring JANET LEIGH,
Robert Hoffman, Klaus Kinski, Riccardo Cucciolla, Jorge Rigaud, Jussara,
with Adolfo Celi
ans EDWARD G, ROBINSON
ans EDWARD G, ROBINSON
Directed by GIULIANO MONTALDO
Produced by Arrigo Colombo and Giorgio Papi
Music by Ennio Morricone
Photography by Antonio Macasoli
Italy, Spain, Germany---1967
Veteran star Edward G. Robinson plays Professor James Anders who taught school in beautiful
You would think this older gentleman would go off quietly into
retirement.
No, he flies off to New York
We see his school, and then the view out his school window.
For years, he watched the office and vault of one of the largest
diamond companies in the world.
diamond companies in the world.
For years, he plotted a precise plan to rob them on one particular weekend of the year, when
10 million dollars of diamonds are there.
He needs Milford to help him set up the plan.
All are unknown to each other and to the police.
Anders goes to each one throughout
He also gives each a particular cigarette lighter to identify
themselves to each other.
They all fly to the absolutely stunning, far away Rio .
As an added cinematic treat, the robbery will take place at Carnival tim e.
Kinski takes charge to prepare for the robbery. The two technical men find out they have a
new huge obstacle. The safe is now protected by the brand new Grand Slam 70
alarm system, just added since Anders devised the plan. Hitting the protective laser
rays or making a sound will set off the alarm.
Jean Paul Audry, the playboy meets the woman he needs to seduce to get a
needed security key.
Mary Ann Davies (played by lovely Janet Leigh) has been a loyal
employee of the diamond syndicate for years. She is definitely the prim,
spinster type, and is not taken in by the playboy's obvious charms.
So the plot of Grand Slam is off and running.
The robbery sequence is quite suspenseful. The Carnival excitement and
music is intercut with the silence of the vault.
The playboy can’t get past the uptight defense of Mary. They need that
key.
Murder may be the only option for Jean Paul.
Agostino, the engineer meets the bikini clad Setuaka (Jussara), and
falls in love with her exotic Brazilian beauty.
falls in love with her exotic Brazilian beauty.
The group also starts to quarrel with each other, and doubt slips in.
Will there be twists and turns, treachery, things that go wrong, and surprises?
Of course, this movie comes the Rififi college of heist films.
The finale has multiple plot twists to really keep you going right till the end credits.
It’s a nice ride back to 1967.
I just love films of the 1960’s!
My Rating ----- B Plus (Brazil
Lots of talent went into this production. If you can get past the 2013 technology issue,
and some tech faults, Grand Slam is a very enjoyable film.
and some tech faults, Grand Slam is a very enjoyable film.
Director Giuliano Montaldo kept everything running smooth.
The plot was complex enough to keep you going. His pacing keeps your interest.
The actors all ring true. The whole cast is solid as a rock, and still fares well even today.
He had great technicians for good film making, and gorgeous visuals.
He had great technicians for good film making, and gorgeous visuals.
The Technicolor and Techniscope photography of Rio
by Antonio Macasoli is stunning. Makes
you want to book a trip after viewing. I
have known people over the years from Rio , and
they loved how this film captured their city.
One of my ultim ate favorite
music composers, Ennio Morricone composed both lush orchestra and moving Bossa
Nova winning musical tracks.
Now it’s easy to get a CD soundtrack too. Unavailable in the US
The late sixties were boom years for the maestro.
The late sixties were boom years for the maestro.
The Sergio Leone films put him on the world map.
I had a 16mm film print of this for years in the glorious old
Technicolor film process, called I.B. Technicolor. The print was great to watch
on a 12 foot wide screen at home.
But finally Grand Slam has a great DVD release in widescreen. Grab
it now!!!
It’s one of the all tim e
great heist movies.
All newer films owe a dept of gratitude to Giuliano Montaldo.
Above, Janet Leigh in Hitchcocks's Psycho.
Beautiful pin-ups below. Leigh was always the sexy, all American girl next door.
Janet Leigh and daughter Jamie Lee Curtis costarred together in John Carpenter's The Fog.
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COMING SOON ---- MORE GREAT EURO TRASH!
