Film producer Irving Allen is remembered less often for his many accomplishments than for a particular deal he turned down flat. With Warwick Films partner Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, Allen considered adapting the spy novels of Ian Fleming for the big screen but ultimately demurred... leaving Broccoli to form Eon Productions with Harry Saltzman and initiate the mega-successful James Bond franchise, beginning with Dr. No (1962). To save face, Allen threw his weight behind the rival Matt Helm spy movies from Columbia Pictures, which starred Dean Martin cast as considerably softer take on Helm. Under the aegis of Columbia Pictures, Allen produced the entire four film series, beginning with The Silencers (1966). The final Matt Helm outing, The Wrecking Crew (1968), took its title from the second book in Donald Hamilton's series of twenty-seven espionage novels but tossed the rest of Hamilton's story out the window. Helm's coterie of eager bed partners in this go-round include Tina Louise, Elke Sommer, and Sharon Tate, who received coaching in karate from future martial arts superstar Bruce Lee. (Elsewhere, 80s action star Chuck Norris makes his film debut as an extra.) The Wrecking Crew's disappointing box office performance scotched plans for a fifth Helm movie, while Sharon Tate's 1969 murder soured Martin from the notion of returning to the character in any form.

By Richard Harland Smith