Passport to China (1960)

A rather tepid spy drama, as Hammer goes stereotype galore.

Don Benton (Richard Basehart) is a HK based businessman who becomes involved in a US government mission to retrieve secret information from the clutches of Red China rather reluctantly. Making his way to Canton, he tangles with Russian stereotype Kong (Eric Pohlmann) and tries to rescue agent Lola (Lisa Gastoni).

The film is an interesting view of 1960s Red China, including the war on sparrows (which backfired terribly) but the dated stereotypes are a bit jarring. The film is a bit too low effort though is watchable and the views of 60s HK is enjoyable.

Hearing Bernard Cribbins attempt a Portuguese accent is a joy.

Nazi Agent (1942)

Although heavy on propaganda and message, this is a good early wartime spy drama.

Otto (Conrad Veidt) is a respected book seller, and an emigre from the Nazi Germany he despies. However, his twin brother is very much on brand with the regime, indeed he has also come over to the USA but he is setting up a spy ring! He forces Otto to become part of his network but in a struggle Otto is forced to kill his brother. 

Otto takes the part of his brother, and now within the spy network begins his plan to bring it down from within. However, he also encounters fellow agent Kaaren (Anne Ayers) who has become disillusioned with the regime...

An enjoyable film with good performances and emotion leading to great sacrifice. The best part of the film though is definitely Veidt who plays twin brothers with dramatically different characters. Unfortunately this was one of his last films before his early untimely death.

Pickup on South Street (1953)

A tough and gritty Noir spy drama.

Candy (Jean Peters) is being tailed by the feds, they know she is carrying microfilm containing industrial secrets which the Communists want to get their hands on. 

However, pick pocket Skip (Richard Widmark) messes everything up by stealing Candy's purse on the underground! Now the search is on for the pick pocket, both by the spies and the feds...

A dark film, doomed people hanging on by their fingernails in the dark underbelly of the city. A very good film with a compelling storyline. Thelma Ritter plays a terrific role as a police informer, indeed well worth the Oscar nomination she got for it.

Fit to Kill (1993)

Another boobs and guns epic by Andy Sidaris.

International arms dealer Kane (Geoffrey Moore) is after a diamond which had been stolen from the Russians in the Second World War and is now owned by Chang (Aki Aleong). He intends to return it to Russia but the gem is stolen by Kane. Now it is up to Donna (Dona Speir) and her fellow federal agents in skimpy outfits to retrieve...

This is a fun romp which makes heavy use of remote control toys such as helicopters and cars, though these are armed with rockets and bombs! It makes little sense of course but that does not matter as it should not be taken too seriously.

Surely this is one of the few films to mention the short lived Commonwealth of Independent States in dialogue?

Too Many Winners (1947)

The last Michael Shayne film, though he would return on the small screen in the 1960s. It would be great to say the character ended on a high but...

Michael Shayne (Hugh Beaumont) abandons his planned vacation with Phyllis (Trudy Marshall) to take on a case of counterfeit tickets at a race course. He begins to uncover a case involving murder and blackmail, with Detective Rafferty (Ralph Dunn) on his tail as usual...

This version of Shayne is not as hard boiled as the Lloyd Nolan version, this Michael Shayne is more easy going but maybe that robs this film of a little bite. The film is fast moving but a bit directionless and bland. 

The femme fatale character of Mayme (Claire Carleton) is one of the highlights of the film but she gets killed off too quickly! Not a bad film, watchable but pretty forgettable.