DEAD HEAT ON A MERRY-GO-ROUND

US, 1966, 104 minutes, Colour.
James Coburn, Camilla Sparv, Aldo Ray, Robert Webber.
Directed by Bernard Girard.

Dead Heat on a Merry- Go -Round has an effective title. However, it is simply a crime melodrama starring James Coburn, in a role that he has made quite familiar. He was very popular at this time, in the late sixties, with a range of films like this but, especially, an effective group of comedy satires including Waterhole #3, The President’s Analyst. The film is quite reminiscent of television series. However, it goes for style and is entertaining on that level. Director, Bernard Girard, worked in television and made few feature films. One was the Shelley Winters' thriller The Mad Room.

1. The significance and tone of the title, the indication of irony of the title and theme? Popularity and appeal?

2. The presentation the film, colour, locations, the stars?

3.Why does this kind of film appeal? The robbery, confidence tricksters, the irony of crime, the achievement of crime, the strands of fate?

4. The film’s presentation of charm, confidence trickery, control, over-reaching themselves by criminals? How interesting and entertainingly were these themes presented?

5. The James Coburn type of hero? The type and characteristics? The self-confidence, the beginnings in prison, the ability to talk, the relationship with the psychologist, the gathering of friends, the relationship with Inga, plots, achievement, enjoyment of crime? Audience response to this?

6.How entertainingly presented were the various confidence tricks? How well presented were they? How ingenious? ingenious robberies?

7. Comment on the satire on the types of women tricked? The chattering woman in the night club, the rich woman?

8. How interesting and important was the Russian sub-plot? the comment on American security? A criminal able to use security methods for a crime? How did the links coincide in the plot?

9. How daring was the robbery? How well planned and executed? How enjoyable? Suspense and tension?

10. The irony of the ending? Appropriate for the film? A comment on crime and greediness?

11. How particularly American is this type of film?