Agent 8 3/4

HOT ENOUGH FOR JUNE is a British spy comedy directed by the popular Ralph Thoma. It begins as an open spoof of the Bond franchise, referencing the death of none other than 007 and casting Dirk Bogarde as the hapless writer who replaces him as a spy working for British intelligence. He's shipped off to Czechoslovakia in order to perform industrial espionage but while there he falls for the charms of a glamorous Czech agent. The comedy in this film is so subtle that it plays out as a straight spy film for much of the running time. It's not particularly exciting or funny, but the cast is good enough to do justice to the material, and there's a sense of realism that's missing from the Bond films. It's not quite THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD in terms of ice-cold grittiness, but tonally it's somewhere halfway between the two styles of filming. A great supporting cast includes Richard Pasco, Derek Nimmo, Derek Fowlds, Sylva Koscina, Robert Morley, Leo McKern, Roger Delgado, and John Junkin.

source: Agent 8 3/4

Hot Enough for June

I remember this film used to be shone on PBS, now and again, and I always looked forward to watching it.(this was before VCRs, so I caught it when it braodcasted) It was one of the better low key spy films to come out during the James Bond phenomena of the mid 60's, a light comedic film that turned into a good suspense thriller by the end. I hope somebody acquires a good print and puts it out on DVD.

Chucklesome rather than laugh-out-loud funny, this British spy comedy was obviously cashing in on all things Bond flavored when it first appeared in 1964. Dirk Bogarde, just about earning his pay cheque rather than turning in a proper performance, is the unwitting British agent dropped behind the Iron Curtain by British Intelligence, though as represented by Robert Morley, (always good fun), and John Le Mesurier, it's not that intelligent. He isn't even sure what he's there for except that the password is the film's title "Hot Enough for June". Silva Koscina is suitably gorgeous as the spy who is allocated to Bogarde as his driver while in Prague and there is a good supporting cast that includes Leo McKern, Richard Pasco and Eric Pohlmann. There is very little to it; Lukas Heller did the screenplay and there are a few good jokes. Ralph Thomas directed with no imagination whatsoever.

I recorded this years ago on the UK TV during a "Dirk Bogarde Double Bill" together with the "Blue Lamp". Whilst the latter has since been issued on DVD ( Many of Bogarde's films fortunately have been ), someone, somewhere has forgotten this one. As it is so entertaining and colourful, I just cannot understand why. This is exactly the sort of film you need on a rainy miserable Sunday Afternoon to cheer you up. It blends Light Comedy, Fairly Exotic Sets, Sexy Ladies, Across-The-Iron-Curtain spy capers and features among others the great RObert Morley ( always irresistible ) and Leo McKern. The plot is original and unexpected. There is a fair amount of suspense and memorable scenes. My copy is getting slightly worn out and I should dearly like to find it on DVD. The UK is probably the only place it will be issued if ever. The title refers to the password that Bogarde must use to make contact with a spy in a Czekoslovak glass factory.

I did enjoy this film, but the reason for saying above 'if you don't think too hard' is that after watching it, the thing that stuck in my mind was that Nicholas (Dirk Bogarde) seemed to adapt to the situations he found himself as a spy rather too easily for someone who is supposed to be an unemployed writer. That aside the film is a little difficult to categorise, IMDb call this a comedy, and it starts out in the same vein as the "Doctor" films that Dirk Bogarde made, but it changes to what I would classify as 'Light Drama', and that makes it much more interesting. Overall the acting was good but not outstanding, and I would recommend it for an evenings entertainment, provided your idea of an evenings entertainment is something you don't have to think about too much, and you have had enough of sex, violence and obscenity.

A better-than-average spy thriller, the film is sort of like a combination between James Bond and 'North by Northwest'. It has an awful number of lame jokes in the mix, but in compensation, there are many amusing moments to be had along the way. Set and made during the time of the Cold War, there are almost unavoidably overly silly, mocking portrayals of the Communist characters, however in such a light-hearted film as this one is, silly supporting do not pose much of a problem. Generally, this is just enjoyable stuff, nothing heavy but still entertaining, and at times quite sexed up too, without overdoing it.

"Hot Enough for June" started as a funny sendup of the Bond movies of its day, but by the end had metamorphosed to a nice combination of suspense adventure and romantic comedy. I wish it was available to see again.