Why Matt Helm spy books became Austin Powers-like Dean Martin movies

James Bond wasn’t the only suave-but-brutal spy on the 1960s pulp-novel scene. Ian Fleming’s 1953 debut novel was the spark that started this craze. Casino Royale,Donald Hamilton introduced a deadly spy to the arms race seven years after introducing the world 007 Death of a citizen. Matt Helm, a retired journalist living in New Mexico and living an idyllic life before he is drawn into the world of spying by a woman from his old days who asks for his assistance. The books eschew the glamor of Bond, instead offering up a hard-boiled violence and scrappiness that makes them feel more like noir than the super-spies we’re used to.

Unless you were scouring the vintage spinner racks for noir gems — or reading a lot of manga magazines in Japan (we’ll get there) — you might never have come across Helm at all. You might not have even heard of Helm unless you were scouring the vintage spinner racks for noir gems or reading a lot of manga magazines in Japan (we’ll get there). If that sounds like an unexpected casting for the older retired spy turned back-in-business cold-blooded murderer, you’d be right. Columbia didn’t want to make Matt Helm movies, they wanted to make James Bond-inspired spoof films — and it transformed the character forever.

While the story of Martin has been discarded and the dark realism in the books is gone, the Technicolor universe of SilencersReimagined Helm, as an indifferent, drunken spy who sings and is surrounded by gorgeous women, all of whom are undressed, was the result. Within minutes of the film beginning there are two musical numbers — one sung by Helm himself — and a comedic bathing scene, establishing immediately that this is a far cry from the bleak world of Hamilton’s Helm. Essentially shedding anything other than Helm’s name and a few events from the pages of the book, the film instead crafted a musical adventure that featured plenty of killings and villain-fuelled mayhem alongside the jokes, dance sequences, and many semi-naked women. Matt Helm movies are a lot like the Bond films and other old films. They have a shininess that contrasts the racism and sexist treatment of women.

Photos: Everett Collection

Matt Helm’s films had an impact on parody and spy films. Austin Powers’ equally problematic “Swinging ‘60s” romps would never have existed without the Helm films and its fellow 1966 parody release, This Man Flint Mike Myers’ spy even shares his cover career with Helm, both of them posing as fashion photographers. A bigger perspective is needed. SilencersThe movie is noted for being the first to have a scene after the credits. Helm, surrounded by women, sits on a rotating bed and kisses them while it rotates backwards towards the audience. A ostentatious font in yellow announces Helm’s next adventure.

This film is a good example of a movie that was Murderers’ Row, Ann-Margret’s wit, humor and unique style of comedy brought a new dimension to the film which was released less than one year later. The plot revolves around a deadly laser and a villain that wants to use it. Next up was 1967’s The ambushers This film moved further away from the gritty books with its UFO focus and the recognizable magnetic stripping sequence that was used to remove the clothes of a young girl. It would later influence Bond’s film Let Live, Let DieA few years after that.

Helm’s final wacky big screen adventure The Wrecking CrewThe film was released just three years following his first appearance on the screen. Helm, once again, was involved in an espionage heist, but this time, the emphasis was on action.

Photos: Everett Collection

The view from the left to right The Ambushers – The Silencers – The Ambushers, The Wrecking Crew

Aside from Martin’s last turn as Helm, the film features some other historical performances, including Sharon Tate’s final role before her death and the debut of future action superstar Chuck Norris. Behind the scenes a young man named Bruce Lee worked as an action choreographer and, thanks to his involvement and Tate’s, decades later The Wrecking Crew would go onto feature prominently in Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time Hollywood.

In fact, there was a Matt Helm manga that was produced in the early 1990s. Boy’s Life shonēn magazine that ran from 1968-1969. The comics are lost, but they show how important the ground spy’s impact was.

One of the most unusual parts of that impact is how the Matt Helm films — which were made to parody the success and stylistic trappings of James Bond — have mostly been forgotten, replaced by a parody of a parody, with Austin Powers becoming a household name in Helm’s place. Matt Helm is a unique spy film because of its history and the juxtaposition between the grim, over-the-top source material, as well as the colorful musical versions.

The Silencers, Murderers’ Row, The Ambushers” The Wrecking CrewAll of these movies are available on streaming FuboThe following are some examples of how to get started: CrackleRent a car in. Amazon, Apple” VUDU.