Fascinating piece for those interested in Oz film - one of several movies we made here in the late 60s none of which connected with the public in any way, but they helped pave the way for the more successful revival of the 70s. This was made in 1969 but not released until 1975.
It's a spy movie, I guess, about an American writer (Carl Betz) chasing after the diary of a murdered diplomat which will expose the truth about Red China. It starts in Hong Hong and moves to Sydney, notably around Luna Park. Betz is helped out by his brother, a lounge singer played by Bobby Rydell, which is just one of the nutty things about this movie - Rydell sings a few tunes and goes along on the adventure; when he does the musical score goes wacky and he's accompanied by a wisecracking manager.
Nancy Kwan is a Chinese spy who can't resist Betz - actually he's catnip to most ladies in this one, including Sandy Gore who is topless in a bubble bath and makes eyes at him before she's killed and Eva Lynd as a leggy Russian who can't resist him (there's another blonde who wants him too, his secretary). Ruth Cracknell pops up as a psychic, Jack Thompson is a Russian henchman (billed as "flunky")and Tom Olivier and Graham Rouse are in there too. There's a scene where the Russians kidnap a monk and a final fight at a monastery.
It's very silly and awkwardly made. I guess it has a story at least - it moves along quite fast and there's action and kissing. And Bobbie Rydell fans will get something out of it because he sings a few songs and has a quite large role.
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