This is How Movies Should Be Made

A Masterpiece!

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

1. Unforgettably hummable title song. 2. Clever clay-mation opening credits. 3. Babes in gold bikinis shaking their money-makers. 4. Susan Hart's over-bite. 5. Susan Hart's legs. 6. Price chewing the scenery. Dwayne Hickman equally up to the task. 7. ''They won't even let you carry a gun until you get a digit instead of a fraction.'' I mean, c'mon, that's comedy gold right there. 8. Frankie Avalon doing some decent physical comedy instead of just standing there grinning at Annette for the entire movie. That's worth 8 right there. This movie is a blast.

...is better than either of the two "Dr. Goldfoot" movies."Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine" (1965) and "Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs" (1966) are spoofs of the early James Bond flicks and, to a lesser degree, the early 60's beach movies with Avalon & Funicello (mainly because Frankie stars in the first one and it shares the harmless, fun-spirited flare of the beach flicks). They're innocuous mid-60's slapstick comedies in the style of "I Dream of Jeanie", but extended to a full movie. Their main attraction can be found in their titles -- the 60's bikini-clad babes and Vincent price in the title role. Since I love both (and "I Dream of Jeanie") I figured I'd like these movies way more than I did, but I found them pretty forgettable, not to mention lame. Yes, I know, they're supposed to be lame, but there's good lame and bad lame and the two Dr. Goldfoot movies are mediocre lame, verging on bad.The first movie takes place in San Francisco and the second one in Rome. These locations are highlights in addition to those already mentioned. These movies are also enjoyable as period-pieces as it's interesting to see the mid-60's styles, etc.As far as the women go, I was a little disappointed with the first one in this respect; the second one is much better, not to mention it was directed by Mario Bava (which many insist is his worst film, lol).At the end of the day, the Dr. Goldfoot movies are throwaway flicks, but they're worth catching for the highlights noted above, if you're in the right frame of mind.The first movie runs 88 minutes and the second one 82 minutes.GRADE: C-

Vincent Price is an out and out legend, and unsurprisingly, this film is often neglected in discussions about the great actors output and that's a good thing, as it's not among his best work. The film is clearly not meant to be taken seriously and reminded me of Austin Powers, though not in a good way as it fails for all the reasons Austin Powers works. The film appears to be spoofing the likes of James Bond, but the jokes aren't funny and the spoofing is way off-cue. The plot revolves around a mad doctor using robots that look like beautiful girls to enslave powerful men (kind of like the Fembots in Austin Powers). The best thing about the film is, of course, Vincent Price and his hammy acting style is revved up the max for this one and it does actually work quite well. Or at least it would if the jokes were funny. Somehow American International Pictures managed to get The Supremes to sing the title song, and while it fits the camp style of the film; it's a highly irritating piece that is liable to get stuck in your head. It's even worse for me, not being a Supremes fan. As you can probably guess from the title, this is a highly camp film and that may appeal to some people, but as far as I'm concerned; it's is a dire comedy with little to recommend it for. Interestingly, the film received a sequel a year later that bizarrely was directed by the great Mario Bava. I've heard it's even worse than this one...but I know I'll still end up seeing it for the people involved.

Taking advantage of the current craze over mad scientists, wacky world-domination schemes and kittenish bad girls, A.I.P. studios (rather smoothly) segues from the "Beach Party" flicks to this Bondian slapstick outing (with several "Beach" players in roles and cameos). Frankie Avalon mugs like a rubber-man playing ordinary Joe in San Francisco who stumbles upon intriguing scheme hatched by Vincent Price's Dr. Goldfoot: rob the world's wealthiest men by seducing them (and their checkbooks) with comely female robots. Price, in gold satin elf slippers, is relaxed and fun, and their are cute bits from Deborah Walley, Harvey Lembeck and a wordless Annette Funicello, but Avalon--attempting a bumbling, klutzy persona--single-handedly turns the proceedings into dim-witted camp. Dwayne Hickman isn't much better, and has to contend with some really sketchy writing (even after getting evidence that his wife is robot, he still wants to woo her in bed!). The movie isn't badly made, it has a cute theme song (with vocals by the Supremes!) and some minor-league laughs, but "Austin Powers" aficionados won't be thrilled with the girls (none with the exception of star Susan Hart are particularly gorgeous) nor the gold bikinis, which look shapeless by today's standards. ** from ****