The Spy with My Face
Encyclopedia
The Spy with My Face is a 1965 spy-fi
spy film
based on The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
television series. Robert Vaughn
and David McCallum
reprised their roles as secret agents Napoleon Solo
and Illya Kuryakin
respectively. THRUSH
tries to steal a super weapon by substituting a double for Solo.
It is the second U.N.C.L.E. film, consisting of additional footage filmed and added to the November 1964 TV episode "The Double Affair". Directed by John Newland
, the film also was released to theaters in the United States in 1966
as a double feature
with To Trap a Spy
. "Alpine" sequences were filmed at the Griffith Park Observatory in California. Sequences added to the original The Double Affair for a feature were reused in The Four-Steps Affair episode of the series.
However, THRUSH has gotten wind of the "August Affair", though the villains know little more than the name of the operation. They send Serena (Senta Berger) to entice Solo to her apartment. After each unsuccessfully tries to find out what the other is after, he is gassed into unconsciousness and a THRUSH agent, surgically altered to look and sound like Solo, takes his place. An attempt is made to kill Kuryakin to minimize the chance of the substitution being detected, but it fails.
Aboard a jet liner, the fake Solo manages to open the briefcase and photograph the code. Kittridge greets his old comrade (from Solo's prior mission) and makes the mistake of saying that his instincts are telling him that there is something wrong with Solo, forcing the double to kill him. Solo tells Kuryakin that Kittridge was a THRUSH assassin. Solo's latest girlfriend, stewardess Sandy Wister (Sharon Farrell), is miffed that he acts as if he does not know her, but makes no fuss.
When the agents reach their destination a secret, heavily-guarded underground vault in the Swiss Alps (filmed at Griffith Observatory
), they are told what is inside. Project Earth Save is a super weapon, designed by scientists from many nations because possible signs of an alien attack had been detected. The weapon is so deadly, even the sight of it is fatal, so they have to wear goggles. The code they have brought opens the vault, and is changed every year in August. When Namana spots Solo's missing jacket button in the briefcase, the fake Solo rips off Namana's goggles before he can warn anyone; the African agent is mesmerized by the weapon and stumbles into the vault to die.
Meanwhile, the real Solo is kept prisoner not far away. He escapes, killing the head villain in the process, and heads for the vault. The double and Serena intercept him on the highway. When U.N.C.L.E. agents drive up, Serena shoots the fake Solo. Afterwards, she talks Solo into letting her go to return the favor.
in August, 1965. The film was advertised in the U.K. as a "Mr. Solo" adventure rather than a tie-in to "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.", but during its two month run the series became a top-rated show in the U.K.
Spy-fi
-Definition and characteristics:It often uses a secret agent or superspy whose mission is a showcase of science fiction elements such as technology and ideas used for extortion, plots for world domination or world destruction, futuristic weapons, gadgets and fast vehicles that can travel on land,...
spy film
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...
based on The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is an American television series that was broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1964, to January 15, 1968. It follows the exploits of two secret agents, played by Robert Vaughn and David McCallum, who work for a fictitious secret international espionage and law-enforcement...
television series. Robert Vaughn
Robert Vaughn
Robert Francis Vaughn, , is an American actor noted for stage, film and television work. His best known roles include the suave spy Napoleon Solo in the 1960s television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., wealthy detective Harry Rule in the 1970s television series The Protectors, Albert Stroller in...
and David McCallum
David McCallum
David Keith McCallum, Jr. is a Scottish actor and musician. He is best known for his roles as Illya Kuryakin, a Russian-born secret agent, in the 1960s television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., as interdimensional operative Steel in Sapphire & Steel, and Dr...
reprised their roles as secret agents Napoleon Solo
Napoleon Solo
Napoleon Solo is a fictional character from the 1960s TV spy series The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The series was remarkable for pairing the American Solo, played by Robert Vaughn, and the Russian Illya Kuryakin as two spies who work together for an international espionage organisation at the height of...
and Illya Kuryakin
Illya Kuryakin
Illya Nickovetch Kuryakin is a fictional character from the 1960s TV spy series The Man from U.N.C.L.E..The series was remarkable for pairing an American Napoleon Solo and the Russian Kuryakin as two spies who work together for an international espionage organisation at the height of the Cold War...
respectively. THRUSH
Thrush
-Birds:* Thrush , any of the many birds in the Turdidae family* Antthrush, any of a group of birds within the Formicariidae family* Dohrn's Thrush-babbler , a species of bird in the Timalidae family...
tries to steal a super weapon by substituting a double for Solo.
It is the second U.N.C.L.E. film, consisting of additional footage filmed and added to the November 1964 TV episode "The Double Affair". Directed by John Newland
John Newland
John Newland was an American director, actor, television producer, and screenwriter.-Early life and career:...
, the film also was released to theaters in the United States in 1966
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...
as a double feature
Double feature
The double feature, also known as a double bill, was a motion picture industry phenomenon in which theatre managers would exhibit two films for the price of one, supplanting an earlier format in which one feature film and various short subject reels would be shown.The double feature, also known as...
with To Trap a Spy
To Trap a Spy
To Trap a Spy is the feature length film version of the pilot episode of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. starring Robert Vaughn and David McCallum. It is the third and longest version of the same story. The original U.N.C.L.E. pilot "Solo" was filmed in color and, as was standard at the time for U.S...
. "Alpine" sequences were filmed at the Griffith Park Observatory in California. Sequences added to the original The Double Affair for a feature were reused in The Four-Steps Affair episode of the series.
Plot
Mr. Waverly (Leo G. Carroll) gives U.N.C.L.E. agents Solo, Kuryakin, Arsene Coria (Fabrizio Mioni) from Italy, and Namana (Bill Gunn) from Africa their assignment: they are to take a top secret code to a hidden location. After they leave, Waverly sends another agent, Australian Kitt Kittridge (Donald Harron), to follow them without their knowledge.However, THRUSH has gotten wind of the "August Affair", though the villains know little more than the name of the operation. They send Serena (Senta Berger) to entice Solo to her apartment. After each unsuccessfully tries to find out what the other is after, he is gassed into unconsciousness and a THRUSH agent, surgically altered to look and sound like Solo, takes his place. An attempt is made to kill Kuryakin to minimize the chance of the substitution being detected, but it fails.
Aboard a jet liner, the fake Solo manages to open the briefcase and photograph the code. Kittridge greets his old comrade (from Solo's prior mission) and makes the mistake of saying that his instincts are telling him that there is something wrong with Solo, forcing the double to kill him. Solo tells Kuryakin that Kittridge was a THRUSH assassin. Solo's latest girlfriend, stewardess Sandy Wister (Sharon Farrell), is miffed that he acts as if he does not know her, but makes no fuss.
When the agents reach their destination a secret, heavily-guarded underground vault in the Swiss Alps (filmed at Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is in Los Angeles, California, United States. Sitting on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in L.A.'s Griffith Park, it commands a view of the Los Angeles Basin, including downtown Los Angeles to the southeast, Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest...
), they are told what is inside. Project Earth Save is a super weapon, designed by scientists from many nations because possible signs of an alien attack had been detected. The weapon is so deadly, even the sight of it is fatal, so they have to wear goggles. The code they have brought opens the vault, and is changed every year in August. When Namana spots Solo's missing jacket button in the briefcase, the fake Solo rips off Namana's goggles before he can warn anyone; the African agent is mesmerized by the weapon and stumbles into the vault to die.
Meanwhile, the real Solo is kept prisoner not far away. He escapes, killing the head villain in the process, and heads for the vault. The double and Serena intercept him on the highway. When U.N.C.L.E. agents drive up, Serena shoots the fake Solo. Afterwards, she talks Solo into letting her go to return the favor.
Production and Release
Filming for what would be edited into both the episode "The Double Affair" as well as the feature "The Spy with My Face" was begun in August 1964. All the scenes were filmed in color, although the television version was broadcast in black and white. The movie edit premiered in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in August, 1965. The film was advertised in the U.K. as a "Mr. Solo" adventure rather than a tie-in to "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.", but during its two month run the series became a top-rated show in the U.K.
Cast
- Robert VaughnRobert VaughnRobert Francis Vaughn, , is an American actor noted for stage, film and television work. His best known roles include the suave spy Napoleon Solo in the 1960s television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., wealthy detective Harry Rule in the 1970s television series The Protectors, Albert Stroller in...
as Napoleon Solo - Senta BergerSenta BergerSenta Berger is an Austrian film, stage and television actress, producer and author.Regarded by critics as one of the greatest actresses of the post-war period, and frequently named as one of the leading German-speaking actresses in polls, Berger has received many award nominations for her acting...
as Serena - David McCallumDavid McCallumDavid Keith McCallum, Jr. is a Scottish actor and musician. He is best known for his roles as Illya Kuryakin, a Russian-born secret agent, in the 1960s television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., as interdimensional operative Steel in Sapphire & Steel, and Dr...
as Illya Kuryakin - Leo G. CarrollLeo G. CarrollLeo Gratten Carroll was an English-born actor. He was best known for his roles in several Hitchcock films and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Topper.-Early life:...
as Alexander Waverly - Michael EvansMichael Evans (Broadway)Michael Evans was an English actor best known for starring in the original 1951 Broadway production of Gigi with Audrey Hepburn, and later as Colonel Douglas Austin on the American soap opera The Young and the Restless.-Biography:John Michael Evans was born July 27, 1920, in Sittingbourne, Kent;...
as Darius Two, the head THRUSH agent - Sharon FarrellSharon FarrellSharon Farrell is an American television and film actress.-Career:Born as Sharon Forsmoe in Sioux City, Iowa, she made her acting debut in the 1959 film Kiss Her Goodbye...
as Sandy Wister - Fabrizio Mioni as Arsene Coria
- Donald Harron as Kitt Kittridge
- Bill Gunn as Namana
- Jennifer Billingsley as Taffy, Sandy's friend and fellow stewardess
- Paula RaymondPaula RaymondPaula Raymond was an American model and actress.In 1950, she was put under contract by MGM, where she played opposite such leading men as Cary Grant and Dick Powell...
as Director - Donna MichelleDonna MichelleDonna Michelle was the adopted name of Donna M. Ronne, an American model, actress, and photographer. She was Playboy magazine's December 1963 Playmate of the Month and 1964 Playmate of the Year. Her centerfold was by Pompeo Posar and Edmund Leja...
as Nina - Harold GouldHarold GouldHarold V. Goldstein , best known by his stage name Harold Gould, was an American actor best known for playing Martin Morgenstern in the 1970s sitcoms Rhoda and The Mary Tyler Moore Show and as Miles Webber in The Golden Girls...
as Doctor, who operated on Solo's double