Out of Sight (1966 film)
Encyclopedia
Out of Sight is a 1966
beach party
film with elements of the spy spoof
. It is the third and last of a series of films geared at teenagers by director Lennie Weinrib
and producer Bart Patton
for Universal Pictures
. Perhaps inspired by the success of the American International Pictures
' teenage films, as well as Weinrib and Patton's Beach Party
knockoff, Beach Ball, Universal and MCA signed a contract in 1965 for the pair to make 14 rock and roll films in a two-year period; however, the only ones produced were Wild Wild Winter
and this film.
Out of Sight features a variety of Universal contract players, musical performances by Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Dobie Gray
, Freddie and the Dreamers
, The Astronauts, The Turtles
and The Knickerbockers
provided by music producer Nick Venet
, and gadget-laden motor vehicles designed by George Barris
. The film's spytime score was composed by Fred Darian (who then managed Dobie Gray
) and
Al DeLory.
The film was written by Larry Hovis
a comedian who was then co-starring in Hogan's Heroes
.
to secret agent
John Stamp. Overhearing a plot to disrupt a concert, Sandra Carter (Karen Jensen) contacts Stamp to seek his assistance but with his boss away, Homer steps into the role of superspy to save Rock and Roll
from the criminal organisation known as F.L.U.S.H..FLUSH sends three femme fatale
assassins after Sandra and Homer: Scuba (Wende Wagner
), Tuff Bod (Deanna Lund
) and Wipe Out (Maggie Thrett
).
in a feature film.
John Lodge, who plays John Stamp, never reveals his face onscreen.
Although Bob Eubanks
is listed in the opening credits, he does not appear onscreen at all - only his voice is heard as the announcer at the concert.
Weinrib's directing career consists of only three feature films - all in the beach party genre
: Beach Ball for Paramount
in 1965, and Wild Wild Winter
and Out of Sight, both for Universal
in 1966.
The Astronauts
was a Boulder, Colorado-based surf band
who had a Billboard Top 100
hit in 1963 with their song “Baja,” and appeared in more beach party movies than any other surf band: Weinrib's other beach party film, Wild Wild Winter
, and Maury Dexter’s two movies, Surf Party
and Wild on the Beach
.
.
The futuristic-looking residence of John Stamp and his butler, Homer, is actually the Lautner-designed “Garcia Residence” on Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills, built in 1962.
The building and plaza that Stamp and Homer trespass to plant a bomb is the 1963 Ralph Vaughn-designed MCA Tower (aka “The Black Tower” - now named the Lew R. Wasserman Building) on Lankershim Boulevard in Universal City.
auto customizer George Barris
was given four weeks to supply vehicles for the film that included a dragster
called the ZZR that was equipped with a variety of weapons in the manner of James Bond's customized Aston Martin DB-5 in Goldfinger
. The $22,000 ZZR featured two 440 cubic inch Buick
engines mounted in tandem with an Ansen Posi-shift Powerglide transmission with Hilborn injectors, M/T tires mounted on far 12" racing Trans-American wheels (for traction on the beach sand), a Cal-Automotive kick channeled is mounted on rectangular frames with deal radiators. A complete arsenal in the rear trunk area is stocked with handguns, tear gas, hand grenades, telescopic machine gun, tar squirter, feather blow gun, and “skid juice” spray nozzle. Rear fenders house flame throwers, while bullets are fired from the front fenders.
Barris also provided a Yamaha motorcycle with sidecar and mortar for FLUSH.
in 1964, from the documentary, What's Happening! The Beatles in the U.S.A.
released the film soundtrack LP with Venet's instrumental theme released on a 45 rpm.
AMT
manufactured a model kit of the ZZR dragster.
produced the instrumental Mariachi-trumpet
-accented theme song.
Dobie Gray sings the title song, "(Out of Sight) Out on the Floor" (written by Fred Darian and Al De Lory).
Gary Lewis & The Playboys perform "Malibu Run" (written by Jimmy Karstein, Leon Russell, Gary Lewis and T. Leslie).
The Knickerbockers perform “It's Not Unusual
” (written by Gordon Mills and Les Reed).
The Astronauts perform “Baby, Please Don't Go" (written by Big Joe Williams).
The Turtles perform "She'll Come Back" (written by Nita Garfield and Howard Kaylan).
Freddie & The Dreamers perform two songs: "Funny Over You" (written by Freddie Garrity) and "A Love Like You" (written by Quinn & Jones).
1966 in film
The year 1966 in film involved some significant events.-Events:Animation legend Walter Disney, well known for his creation of Mickey Mouse, died in 15 December 1966 of acute circulatory collapse following a diagnosis of, and surgery for, lung cancer...
beach party
Beach Party film
Beach party movies were an American 1960s genre of feature films created by American International Pictures with their surprise 1963 hit, Beach Party, and copied by virtually every other studio...
film with elements of the spy spoof
Spy film
The spy film genre deals with the subject of fictional espionage, either in a realistic way or as a basis for fantasy . Many novels in the spy fiction genre have been adapted as films, including works by John Buchan, John Le Carré, Ian Fleming and Len Deighton...
. It is the third and last of a series of films geared at teenagers by director Lennie Weinrib
Lennie Weinrib
Lennie Weinrib was an American actor, voice actor and writer. He is best known for playing the title role in the children's television show H.R...
and producer Bart Patton
Bart Patton
Bart Patton born Phillip Bardwell in Culver City, California on 11 July 1939 is an American actor, producer, and director.-Biography:Bart's first acting job was as Scampy the Clown in Super Circus where he was credited as "Bardy Patton". He continued making acting appearances in souch television...
for Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
. Perhaps inspired by the success of the American International Pictures
American International Pictures
American International Pictures was a film production company formed in April 1956 from American Releasing Corporation by James H. Nicholson, former Sales Manager of Realart Pictures, and Samuel Z. Arkoff, an entertainment lawyer...
' teenage films, as well as Weinrib and Patton's Beach Party
Beach Party
Beach Party was the first of several beach party films from American International Pictures aimed at a teen audience. It was directed by William Asher and written by Lou Rusoff. The main actors included Robert Cummings, Dorothy Malone, Frankie Avalon, and Annette Funicello...
knockoff, Beach Ball, Universal and MCA signed a contract in 1965 for the pair to make 14 rock and roll films in a two-year period; however, the only ones produced were Wild Wild Winter
Wild Wild Winter
Wild Wild Winter is a 1966 Universal Pictures comedy film in the beach party genre, starring Gary Clarke and Chris Noel. It is directed by standup comedian Lennie Weinrib and produced by Bart Patton and is notable for featuring Jay and the Americans and the duo of Dick and Dee Dee in their only...
and this film.
Out of Sight features a variety of Universal contract players, musical performances by Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Dobie Gray
Dobie Gray
Dobie Gray is an African American singer and songwriter, whose musical career has spanned soul, country, pop and musical theater...
, Freddie and the Dreamers
Freddie and the Dreamers
Freddie and the Dreamers were an English band who had a number of hit records between May 1963 and November 1965. Their stage act was based around the comic antics of the 5-foot-3-inch-tall Freddie Garrity, who would bounce around the stage with arms and legs flying. The group remained active...
, The Astronauts, The Turtles
The Turtles
The Turtles are an American rock group led by vocalists Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman. The band became notable for several Top 40 hits beginning with its cover version of Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe" in 1965...
and The Knickerbockers
The Knickerbockers
The Knickerbockers were an American pop/rock music group, best remembered for their 1965 Beatles sound alike hit single, "Lies."-Formation:The band was formed in 1962 in Bergenfield, New Jersey by brothers Beau Charles and John Charles with fluctuating personnel until 1964, when they met...
provided by music producer Nick Venet
Nick Venet
Nick Venet was an American record producer who began his career at age 19 with World Pacific Jazz...
, and gadget-laden motor vehicles designed by George Barris
George Barris (auto customizer)
George Barris is a designer of custom cars.-Early history:George and his brother Sam were born in Chicago in the 1920s. After the deaths of their parents, they moved to Roseville, California as children to live with relatives. Both were good students, interested in drama, music, and design...
. The film's spytime score was composed by Fred Darian (who then managed Dobie Gray
Dobie Gray
Dobie Gray is an African American singer and songwriter, whose musical career has spanned soul, country, pop and musical theater...
) and
Al DeLory.
The film was written by Larry Hovis
Larry Hovis
Larry Hovis was an American singer and actor best known for playing a fictional prisoner of war on the 1960s television sitcom Hogan's Heroes.-Early life and career:...
a comedian who was then co-starring in Hogan's Heroes
Hogan's Heroes
Hogan's Heroes is an American television sitcom that ran for 168 episodes from September 17, 1965, to March 28, 1971, on the CBS network. The show was set in a German prisoner of war camp during the Second World War. Bob Crane had the starring role as Colonel Robert E...
.
Plot
Homer (Jonathan Daly) is a butlerButler
A butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its...
to secret agent
Secret Agent
Secret Agent is a British film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, loosely based on two stories in Ashenden: Or the British Agent by W. Somerset Maugham. The film starred John Gielgud, Peter Lorre, Madeleine Carroll, and Robert Young...
John Stamp. Overhearing a plot to disrupt a concert, Sandra Carter (Karen Jensen) contacts Stamp to seek his assistance but with his boss away, Homer steps into the role of superspy to save Rock and Roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
from the criminal organisation known as F.L.U.S.H..FLUSH sends three femme fatale
Femme fatale
A femme fatale is a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetype of literature and art...
assassins after Sandra and Homer: Scuba (Wende Wagner
Wende Wagner
Wende Wagner, also known as Wendy Wagner was an actress famed for her roles in The Green Hornet and Rio Conchos.-Biography:Born to a career U.S. Navy officer and swimming and diving coach father Wende Wagner, also known as Wendy Wagner (December 6, 1941 February 26, 1997) was an actress famed for...
), Tuff Bod (Deanna Lund
Deanna Lund
Deanna Lund is an American film and television actress best remembered for her role in the Irwin Allen television series Land of the Giants, where she played the character of Valerie Ames Scott.-Early life:...
) and Wipe Out (Maggie Thrett
Maggie Thrett
Maggie Thrett, born Diane Pine, was a singer and stage, movie and television actress in the 1960s. Aged fifteen, she made her Off-Broadway debut in 1962 in Out Brief Candle. By the age of eighteen she was regularly performing as a dancer at Trude Heller's in Greenwich Village, New York, as noted...
).
Cast & crew
This movie is the only onscreen appearance of The TurtlesThe Turtles
The Turtles are an American rock group led by vocalists Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman. The band became notable for several Top 40 hits beginning with its cover version of Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe" in 1965...
in a feature film.
John Lodge, who plays John Stamp, never reveals his face onscreen.
Although Bob Eubanks
Bob Eubanks
Robert Leland "Bob" Eubanks is an American television/radio personality and game show host, best known for hosting the game show The Newlywed Game on and off since 1966, where he was known for using the catchphrase, "Makin' Whoopee"...
is listed in the opening credits, he does not appear onscreen at all - only his voice is heard as the announcer at the concert.
Weinrib's directing career consists of only three feature films - all in the beach party genre
Beach Party film
Beach party movies were an American 1960s genre of feature films created by American International Pictures with their surprise 1963 hit, Beach Party, and copied by virtually every other studio...
: Beach Ball for Paramount
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
in 1965, and Wild Wild Winter
Wild Wild Winter
Wild Wild Winter is a 1966 Universal Pictures comedy film in the beach party genre, starring Gary Clarke and Chris Noel. It is directed by standup comedian Lennie Weinrib and produced by Bart Patton and is notable for featuring Jay and the Americans and the duo of Dick and Dee Dee in their only...
and Out of Sight, both for Universal
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
in 1966.
The Astronauts
The Astronauts (band)
The Astronauts were an American rock and roll band, who had a minor hit in 1963 with "Baja" and remained successful for several years, especially in Japan...
was a Boulder, Colorado-based surf band
Surf music
Surf music is a genre of popular music associated with surf culture, particularly as found in Orange County and other areas of Southern California. It was particularly popular between 1961 and 1965, has subsequently been revived and was highly influential on subsequent rock music...
who had a Billboard Top 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
hit in 1963 with their song “Baja,” and appeared in more beach party movies than any other surf band: Weinrib's other beach party film, Wild Wild Winter
Wild Wild Winter
Wild Wild Winter is a 1966 Universal Pictures comedy film in the beach party genre, starring Gary Clarke and Chris Noel. It is directed by standup comedian Lennie Weinrib and produced by Bart Patton and is notable for featuring Jay and the Americans and the duo of Dick and Dee Dee in their only...
, and Maury Dexter’s two movies, Surf Party
Surf party
Surf Party is a 1964 beach party film directed by Maury Dexter. It is notable for the musical acts showcased onscreen, as well as for being the first direct imitation of AIP’s hit Beach Party, which was released six months earlier. It also notable for being one of the few films in the genre shot...
and Wild on the Beach
Wild on the Beach
Wild on the Beach is a 1965 beach party film directed by Maury Dexter. It is notable for the musical acts showcased onscreen, being the film debut of Sonny & Cher in particular...
.
Exterior locations
Announced in production in November 1965, Out of Sight was filmed in two weeks with exterior sequences done at Zuma BeachZuma Beach
Zuma Beach is a County beach located at 30000 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California. One of the largest and most popular beaches in the Los Angeles County, Zuma is known for its long, wide sands and excellent surf...
.
The futuristic-looking residence of John Stamp and his butler, Homer, is actually the Lautner-designed “Garcia Residence” on Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills, built in 1962.
The building and plaza that Stamp and Homer trespass to plant a bomb is the 1963 Ralph Vaughn-designed MCA Tower (aka “The Black Tower” - now named the Lew R. Wasserman Building) on Lankershim Boulevard in Universal City.
Vehicles
BurbankBurbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
auto customizer George Barris
George Barris (auto customizer)
George Barris is a designer of custom cars.-Early history:George and his brother Sam were born in Chicago in the 1920s. After the deaths of their parents, they moved to Roseville, California as children to live with relatives. Both were good students, interested in drama, music, and design...
was given four weeks to supply vehicles for the film that included a dragster
Dragster
Dragster may refer to*Dragster, a rock band of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal era.*Dragster, a video game released in 1980.*Dragster, a term referring to a custom-built vehicle used in drag racing....
called the ZZR that was equipped with a variety of weapons in the manner of James Bond's customized Aston Martin DB-5 in Goldfinger
Goldfinger (film)
Goldfinger is the third spy film in the James Bond series and the third to star Sean Connery as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. Released in 1964, it is based on the novel of the same name by Ian Fleming. The film also stars Honor Blackman as Bond girl Pussy Galore and Gert Fröbe as the title...
. The $22,000 ZZR featured two 440 cubic inch Buick
Buick
Buick is a premium brand of General Motors . Buick models are sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Taiwan, and Israel, with China being its largest market. Buick holds the distinction as the oldest active American make...
engines mounted in tandem with an Ansen Posi-shift Powerglide transmission with Hilborn injectors, M/T tires mounted on far 12" racing Trans-American wheels (for traction on the beach sand), a Cal-Automotive kick channeled is mounted on rectangular frames with deal radiators. A complete arsenal in the rear trunk area is stocked with handguns, tear gas, hand grenades, telescopic machine gun, tar squirter, feather blow gun, and “skid juice” spray nozzle. Rear fenders house flame throwers, while bullets are fired from the front fenders.
Barris also provided a Yamaha motorcycle with sidecar and mortar for FLUSH.
Archive footage
The footage of the screaming crowd during the two performances by Freddie & The Dreamers is actually a crowd watching a live performance of the BeatlesThe Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
in 1964, from the documentary, What's Happening! The Beatles in the U.S.A.
Movie tie-ins
Decca RecordsDecca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
released the film soundtrack LP with Venet's instrumental theme released on a 45 rpm.
AMT
Aluminum Metal Toys
Aluminum Model Toys, or AMT for short, was a Troy, Michigan based company that manufactured various pre-assembled plastic promotional models starting in 1948, when attorney West Gallogly, Sr. started it as a side business. Later, a variety of kits became very popular. Most of the company's vehicle...
manufactured a model kit of the ZZR dragster.
European release
The Italian title of the film was 007 1/2 agente per forza contro gli assassini dello yé yé .Music
Fred Darian and Al DeLory composed the music score for the film, Nick VenetNick Venet
Nick Venet was an American record producer who began his career at age 19 with World Pacific Jazz...
produced the instrumental Mariachi-trumpet
Mariachi
Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in the State of Jalisco, in Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind,...
-accented theme song.
Dobie Gray sings the title song, "(Out of Sight) Out on the Floor" (written by Fred Darian and Al De Lory).
Gary Lewis & The Playboys perform "Malibu Run" (written by Jimmy Karstein, Leon Russell, Gary Lewis and T. Leslie).
The Knickerbockers perform “It's Not Unusual
It's Not Unusual
"It's Not Unusual" is a song written by Les Reed and Gordon Mills, first recorded by a then-unknown Tom Jones after having first been offered to Sandie Shaw. Jones recorded what was intended to be a demo for Shaw, but when she heard it she was so impressed with Jones' delivery that she declined the...
” (written by Gordon Mills and Les Reed).
The Astronauts perform “Baby, Please Don't Go" (written by Big Joe Williams).
The Turtles perform "She'll Come Back" (written by Nita Garfield and Howard Kaylan).
Freddie & The Dreamers perform two songs: "Funny Over You" (written by Freddie Garrity) and "A Love Like You" (written by Quinn & Jones).