Touches You

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

A detective pursues a stolen diamond and a voluptuous mystery woman.This is a curious production that had me puzzled until I read Zipper69's informative, if dismissive, review. In my view, he's a little too negative, but the movie remains a disappointment, mainly because of the odd casting. As an actor, Jack Palance may be many good things, but a dashing leading man he's not. Plus, his performance here remains just plain weird, the southern accent about as good as mine. I'm not sure what Palance is reaching for, but the director should have exercised better control. Then there's Ekberg, the mammary goddess, who's a first-rate model, but a third-rate actress, especially as a mystery woman. Between them, they distract heavily from the story itself. Nonetheless, the plot twists with the golf ball are cleverly inventive, along with the hectic park scene with the magician and the kids. There's also some good noirish photography, but that car trapping the man in the narrow alley was a crime drama cliché even in 1958. Nonetheless, with more appropriate casting and a more engaged director, the film did have real potential. Too bad, it remains a disappointing misfire.

I suspect that this was a "B" movie of the day. We don't have "Second feature" movies any more, nowadays we are presented with one almighty production that revolves around a single famous actor and a host of special effects.This little offering is different, there is a host of really great actors and a lot of character development. Anthony Newley is great and fits his role so well. Palance seems to be not quite with it but I have noticed this in a few of his films, his Texan accent was a mistake.It was interesting to see the change in our leading lady after she had been beaten up. Even her ample top didn't seem to be bursting at the seams!Well worth a watch - if you can get it.

I'd almost forgotten how awful this dreck was until seeing it today on TCM. The format of flying in Nigel Patrick to film the over-title sequence of him walking through the streets of New York (??)and all subsequent " American" scenes actually filmed in the UK (street scenes in some scuzzy suburb of London to approximate the brownstone district), add a motley collection of American cars and a couple of NY cop uniforms with all the extras under order not to speak!! Then we get Sid James adapting his South African accent to approximate a tough New York cop and what looks like the Pinewood commisary doubling as a NY airport (just add TWA posters...). Palance seems to have been under the influence of SOMETHING, his performance is strange and his delivery is nuanced with odd pauses and weird facial expressions in full flow. Ekberg is suitably majestic, first seen from below, standing like a figurehead at the top of the stairs, her generous figure threatening to overcome the stitches of her various clinging outfits at any moment. Basically - rubbish!Trivia note: amongst the cinematographers listed is Nick Roeg, later to go on to a distinguished career as a director.

This is a modest British adventure thriller which was hoped would hit the world market at a time when this kind of picture was in vogue. A jewellers book keeper steals a priceless diamond and is trailed by various factions half across Europe. Interesting vehicle for Anthony Newley who was given a more meatier role than his usual light musical comedy roles as taxi driver Ernesto. The all star cast includes the very British Nigel Patrick, Sid James (before his Carry On days), and a guest appearance by Donald Pleasence. Palance and Ekberg gave this British movie the American market interest. Richard Bennett's brilliant theme is akin to The Harry Lime Theme from The Third Man. Written by John Gilling (later of Hammer film fame). A rare movie, not released on video nor seen on TV for many years. Paul Goodhead - President Anthony Newley Society Worldwide.