The Venetian Affair (1967)

An ex-CIA agent (Robert Vaughn), now working for a news service, is sent ostensibly to cover the bombing of an international peace conference in Venice. In reality, the CIA wants him to ferret out his ex-wife (Elke Sommer), a communist agent who has information on the bombing. Based on the novel by Helen MacInnes (ABOVE SUSPICION) and directed by Jerry Thorpe (son of director Richard). This spy thriller is a rather tedious affair. The director doesn't provide the style or technique that would make the film's premise work effectively. It lacks the fun and panache of a James Bond adventure nor does it have the engrossing tedium of an IPCRESS FILE. The casting of Robert Vaughn in the lead is problematic. He can't shake off the image of Napoleon Solo, the television spy he played in THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. and while he did fine on TV, he lacks the presence to hold the big screen. Indeed, the film comes across as a bigger budgeted episode of that show, filmed in location in Venice rather than the MGM soundstages and in wide screen. The mono-thematic score by Lalo Schifrin becomes tiresome after awhile. Co-starring Felicia Farr (Mrs. Jack Lemmon), Luciana Paluzzi (shamefully wasted), Edward Asner, Karlheinz Bohm (PEEPING TOM) as the film's master villain, Roger C. Carmel, Argentina Brunetti and in a rare non-horror role, Boris Karloff as the head of an international security agency.