Mozambique

Although both of the films in Blue Underground's latest double feature, Code 7...Victim 5 and Mozambique, owe a huge debt to the then burgeoning James Bond franchise - which had several novels and three films under its belt by 1964 - they're also spot-on cinematic reproductions of pulp fiction private-eye stories popularized by American authors like John D. MacDonald whose heroes were less classy but equally infallible.

Steve Martin (Lex Barker) is one such cool customer, hired to protect the life of a South African millionaire who is one of four potential targets "x"-ed out of a photograph of old acquaintances. What those four have in common in central the mystery Martin must solve, if he can avoid being led astray by the women of the house, including his client's sex-pot stepdaughter and a well put-together personal assistant. Helping him in the investigation is Inspector Lean (Ronald Fraser) who manages to squeeze in some police work between afternoons spent ogling the local ladies.

The title, Code 7...Victim 5, has no significance other than as a marketing tool, which labeled Martin as "A very special agent with a code that means he can go all the way!" This is a Men's Wearhouse version of Ian Fleming's superspy films. The budget is small (watch the stunts guys conspicuously not smash into each during a car chase), the thrills are low-key (the closest Martin comes to death is squashing a scorpion under his heel) and the women are Bond girl also-rans with accents thicker than an encyclopedia. Yet the film is always amusing and gets a big bump in quality from the excellent scope photography by Nicolas Roeg (Don't Look Now) who captures Capetown, South Africa in impressive fashion, particularly in the cliffhanging finale.

The script by producer Harry Alan Towers (a frequent Jess Franco enabler) claims to be based on a novel called Table Bay, but that's likely just marketing fluff. Victim 5 is actually far more polished than Towers' later films, even though there's plenty of room from MST3K riffing throughout. Lex Barker, most recognizable for playing Tarzan five times in the early '50s, is an easy target with his Rat Pack line delivery and easy smirk; but he's actually a nice fit for the genre. As is character actor Ronald Fraser, who works wonders with his horndog police inspector, a clever role reversal from the Bond films.

Mozambique is a few steps closer to film noir territory, although set in the perpetually sunny East African locale. Steve Cochran plays Brad Webster, an out-of-work pilot who accepts a questionable offer to fly for a questionable businessman, Da Silva, who aspires to take over the operations from his recently deceased employer. But the widow (Hidegard Knef) wants her piece of the pie too, which involves a stolen briefcase and a handful of bank account numbers. Brad winds up watching his own back and the pretty behind of a new "entertainer," Christina (Vivi Bach) who's gotten in over her head.

Working from another Towers screenplay, director Robert Lynn (who also shot Victim 5 in the same year) doesn't get quite the same results this time around. The movie desperately misses the widescreen style Roeg brought to their previous collaboration but also the lighthearted tone. Mozambique is a more serious affair, and lead actor Cochran, though believable as a washout whose crash-landing has kept him psychologically grounded, isn't a very charismatic lead. That said, there's still a great amount of travelogue appeal and a couple of corny musical numbers that are just the ticket for fans of outdated nightclub warbling. Mozambique is pulpy enough to get your attention, but wears a little thin on top...much like its star.

If Bond has gotten a little too self-absorbed for you lately, welcome to superspy heaven! Blue Underground's blu-ray is an easy recommendation and one heck double-feature deal. Both films sport remastered transfers from the original camera negative and look fantastic. Extras are limited to theatrical trailers.