IN LIKE FLINT

US, 1967, 114 minutes, Colour.
James Coburn, Lee J. Cobb, Jean Hale, Andrew Duggan, Anna Lee, Steve Inhat.
Directed by Gordon Douglas.

James Coburn as Derek Flint was an American alternative to James Bond. There were many such characters in films at this time – especially in the spoof character, Matt Helm, played by Dean Martin in four films.

James Coburn had made an impact as Derek Flint in Our Man Flint two years earlier. Now he is called out retirement. The president is being impersonated by an actor – and a group of women are uniting to take over the world, they own beauty salons and are brainwashing people in their salons.

The style of the film is very much that of the mid-60s – with psychedelic touches and flower power. This film is not as strong as its original – a hurried sequel put into production very quickly.

1. The value of this film in itself, as a spy comedy, as a sequel? The significance of the title? Could the film stand by itself or did it depend on the original?

2. How do you account for the popularity of this kind of film in the sixties? The spy genre, American politics at the time, missiles and the atmosphere of fear of nuclear war, the conventions of the James Bond spy? The impact of this kind of thing now?

3. The use of Panavision, colour, breezy music, an atmosphere of glamour, an emphasis on women, an emphasis on scientific apparatus?

4. The satire in the character of Flint himself? The parody of the James Bond style of man? The overwhelming skills, success with women, culture as dancing a ballet In Moscow etc.? The expectations of this kind of hero?

5. The satire on American politics via Cramden and the President? Cramden and his personality, work, ordinariness, his disguise at the Virgin Islands, his presence throughout the crises? The President and his being substituted?

6. The satire in the plot itself and its various implausibilities, impossible feats, spectacular space ending? Why do such impossible things appeal to audiences?

7. The comment on American politics of the sixties, the substitute President, the power of the President, especially with nuclear warfare? The mad General who takes over etc.?

8. The humour and satire in the subplot about the women taking over the world, their names and associations with beauty parlours, their salon, the dryers, their clientele? The irony of their repentance and their mouthing of cliches about feminism? Their participation n the final overthrow?

9. The science fiction touch about the freezing and the philosophy behind it, Flint and his girlfriends being frozen but being saved, Cramden and the President etc.?

10. The climax with the women and ‘Operation Smooch’?

11. How clever was the wit, parody, and laughter at the pretentiousness of more serious spy dramas?