The Manipulator (1971)

Dir: Marino Girolami

Prod: Stanley Norman

Scr: Ralph Anders, Mike Conda, Eugene Walter (based on Anders' book, "Dangerous Holiday")

Cast: Stephen Boyd, Sylva Koscina, Michael Kirner, Marie du Toit, Guido Lollobrigida.

It says on the back of Mill Creek's Suspense Classics in the listing all of the movies found within, that The Manipulator stars Mickey Rooney. That is incorrect. Actually, what is inside is another film with the same title released at roughly the same time. Their mistake is our gain, as this movie exemplifies everything that we love about collecting these sets: you never know what obscure goodies you might find. And boy, this one is worth the price of the set itself. (By the way, the other movie entitled The Manipulator, starring Mickey Rooney, is featured on another Mill Creek set, and the review for it will appear here eventually.)

Alternatively known as African Story, this Manipulator film is about singing sensation Rex Maynard, who has just finished taping a big television special for his record producer Arnold Tiller (Stephen Boyd), and is going on vacation to South Africa. Unbeknownst to Tiller, Rex is eloping with the man's daughter. While on vacation, Rex gets kidnapped.... not once, but twice(!) by two different parties, and for different reasons. Oh. Just one more thing. Before his career as a singer, Rex Maynard used to be a stuntman! This of course makes life difficult for his captors as he successfully gets out of one jam after another.

Although Stephen Boyd and Sylva Koscina (as a rival record company owner who somehow figures into this caper) are top-billed, the movie really belongs to the charismatic, open-faced Michael Kirner, who plays Maynard. This guy is just awesome! He is perfectly credible in an unusual role requiring an action hero and a teen idol!  (Prior to seeing this film, I've never heard of the actor, but am interested to see this talented man's other work.)

Forget that Marino Girolami (director of the infamous Zombie Holocaust, and father of genre director Enzo Castellari) may not have been the best filmmaker around, and that somehow Maynard takes an Air Italia plane from L.A. to Capetown (this movie was an Italian co-production)- this breezy escapism is a must for any fan of capers or Euro-genre films. The movie is consistently entertaining alone for the numerous twists, action scenes and great stunts, but there is much more to enjoy. The witty script also features some colourful supporting characters, like Tiller's sister (played by Marie du Toit), who seems more on the ball, and capable of running the business than her brother. Plus, as is befitting of a movie whose central character is a crooner, the song and music score by the reliable Francesco De Masi is just great. You'll be humming "Man, You Need a Hand" (the opus performed in the opening credits) for days afterwards.

What more can we say? This is a winner. See the movie! Buy the soundtrack album!

MMM Rating: 4/5

Located on: Suspense Classics- now out of print, but should be easily found for sale online.