Blindfold

A New York psychiatrist , Dr. Bartholomew Snow (Rock Hudson) is inveigled by General Prat (Jack Warden) and his operatives into treating a disturbed scientist whose discoveries are fundamental to the Cold War effort and who is held in a secret location necessitating a blindfold for the shrink on route , but sinister surprises lurk in the dark. He then engages in a thorny espionage with noted scientist (Alejandro Rey) wanted by certain foreign powers, later on , international terrorists intervene , Hudson soon finds himself caught in the middle and out of desperation, he joins with the boffin's showgirl sister , Vicky Vincenti (Claudia Cardinale) who also happens to be a brave and fiery woman, both of whom attempt to retrace his steps and save the day . As Bartholomew stubbornly retraces his route by means of clues and sounds to discover the actual source of the original location. Then a trailing cop (Brad Dexter) and his chief (Robert F. Simon) enter the fray . Living Dangerously . . . And loving every minute of it!. Bullets and Brunettes...in a Blind Alley 15 miles wide, 2,000 miles long and 20 high...and time running out !. Deadly...Dangerous...The Game is...Blindfold...The less you see...the longer you live...when you're wrapped in the danger of Blindfold..Behind the Blindfold is the greatest security trap ever devised. A blind alley paved with deadly danger! An acceptable and twisted thriller/comedy with explosive conflict of world-shattering espionage , including suspense , intriguing events , twists and turns . It displays a charming cast , but the uneven filmmaking falters in film that wavers from mystery , thriller, action-packed to comedy . It contains inappropriate slapstick scenes and some fights in Terence Hill/Bud Spencer style seem incongrous . Main ans support cast are pretty well . Rock Hudson gives a sympathetic acting in his usual style as a psychiatrist treating patients with emotional problems who's solicited by government agents in connection with a former one. While Claudia Cardinale as his beautiful partner is extremely sympathetic and really gorgeous.they are finely supported by nice and familar secondaries providing stunning interpretations , such as : Jack Warden , Guy Stockwell, Brad Dexter , Anne Seymour , Alejandro Rey, Hari Rhodes, Vito Scotti , Angela Clarke , Mort Mills , Robert F. Simon. And brief apperances , almost extras , from Bruce Glover , Charles Horvath, Roy Jenson , Chuck Roberson, Norman Alden, among others. It displays lively and thrilling musical score by veteran composer Lalo Schifrin . Colorful cinematography in Technicolor by the splendid director of photography by Joseph MacDonald . Shot on location in Ocala, Florida , New York City, and Universal Studios California . The motion picture was uneven and professionally directed by Philip Dunne , though he seems to have trouble sustaining it , lapsing into thudding comedy and silly action. Distinguised screenwriter Dunne had also made ten movies in the former decade before his career came to an almighty stop with this mediocre but at times decent thriller. Dunne was one of the founders of the American Screen Writer's Guild and along with director William Wyler and John Huston, he formed the Committee for the First Amendment to protest the procedures of the House Un-American Activities Committee. Dunne was an expert writer , getting some successes , such as Anne of the Indians , Sinuhé, the Egyptian , The Robe , Martin the Gaucho , Pinky , David and Betsabe , The Ghost and Mrs Muir , Demetrius and the Gladiators , Lydia Bailey . And he directed some movies as Blindfold , El inspector , Wild in the Country , 10, calle Frederick , Three Brave Men , Hilda Crane , The view from Pompey's Head . Blindfold(1966) rating : 5.5/10. Acceptable and passsable flick, but neither notable , nor extraordinary , but mildly decent . The pic will appeal to Rock Hudson and Claudia Cardinale fans .

Channel 5 TV in Britain showed this film today 09/12/05 and I was very taken and surprised what a delightful and deftly made film it was/is. It was entertaining and though not deep you always sensed that all was not what it appeared to be and there would be a sting in the "tale". Being blindfolded would never seem to portend a good omen a would always be an indication of undergoing a pretty serious experience though it's a way of you not seeing too much so that it may possibly portend eventual survival . Seeing blindfolded men these days seem to be a prelude for having your head sawn off whilst still alive, a la Iraq, so there is always in this situation which carries a serious thread even it is interwoven with a comic touch and a dry sense of humour as is this film and the film is a success: an accomplished weave of dynamic and contrasting interplay of humour and seriousness: walking that particular tightrope is an act were you can easily fall off long before you reach the finish at the other end: too much rope for some films but this one skips there easily.

I saw this movie many years ago and yet I have never forgot it. If it comes out on DVD I will probably buy it since Rock Hudson, Claudia Cardinale, and Jack Warden did good characterizations. The sets and music add to the suspense. The movie moves along and has some interesting moments like when Rock Hudson tries to relocate the place he was taken blindfolded. Interesting how geese and people laughing sound similar. This one is rarely on TV so rent it if you can or buy it.

Rock Hudson (Dr Bartholomew Snow) is a psychologist who is approached by Jack Warden (the General) to treat important scientist Alejandro Rey (Arthur Vincenti) who has been recently taken to a secret location for matters of National importance. This means that Dr Rock can only be transported to his patient while blindfolded so that he is kept unaware as to the scientist's hiding place. Claudia Cardinale plays the missing scientist's sister who suspects Dr Rock of being involved in her brother's kidnapping but then teams up with him to track down the scientist. All Dr Rock has to go on are the sounds that he has heard on the several journeys that he has made to him. Dr Rock and Claudia Cardinale set out on their adventure but there are others on the trail - stuttering Guy Stockwell (Mr Fitzpatrick) and bumble-brained detective Brad Dexter (Harrigan). I'm not sure what is so important about this scientist or why people are suddenly interested in capturing him. The film's premise is that if he falls into the wrong hands, the enemy will be able to unlock his brain. He is on the verge of a nervous breakdown so only psychology can save him! However, up to this point, it seems that no-one has really felt the need to capture him. Why now? He seems like an unpleasant sort of fellow so the most effective cure would be to tell him to snap out of it or he's going into the swampy waters with the quicksands and alligators. Another dodgy part of the film which isn't dwelt upon is the rather unhealthy past-time of Claudia's uncle Vito Scotti (Michaelangelo) who makes mannequins of her and dresses them up in underwear! I think that's the crime that needs investigating not the silly scientist storyline. Rock Hudson keeps us watching as the story unfolds but the film is nothing special. The cast are all fine, apart from the curiosity that is Claudia Cardinale's diction. She speaks by stressing the wrong parts of every word so that she sounds as if she is putting on a deliberate Mexican accent with her already noticeable Italian accent. She is also given unrealistic dialogue for a foreigner, eg, "*-eyed stunt" (3 times!) and "Bluebeard". This is not natural language that a non-native speaker would casually work into a conversation. She does have some great clothes, though, a sign of the times, particularly a stylish green outfit when she is in the park, where she reminded me of my mother (who also spoke English with a foreign accent - Portuguese). She also has a funny moment when she steps out of a van into a swamp. Another stupid part of the story comes during a swamp chase sequence where Rock and Claudia get out of a predicament by using 2 mannequin lookalikes of Rock Hudson!! Where on earth did they suddenly spring from!!?? Of course, they must have been carrying them around with them throughout the whole swamp chase sequence but the audience just never noticed. It's a comedy-thriller where everyone functions according to plan and clever use is made of the sound of geese. It's true - they sound like people laughing at a party. That's something I will take away from this film. That along with Claudia looking like my mum and the boy John Megna (Mario) playing Chinese Chequers. I've never seen Chinese Chequers in a film before.

This was once a mainstay of top movies for TV, but has since become forgotten, a victim of being one of the better movies. The older movies shown now are picked by the same people who have money in new movies, so they won't show good competition. This one had Rock Hudson playing a likable psychiatrist who becomes involved in espionage, treating a man who is a high level security risk. He is taken to the location several times, always blindfolded, and later, he must retrace his steps when he realizes something has gone wrong. A beautiful girl also has an interest in finding this location, and she builds a relationship with Rock, who does a great acting job of a heterosexual. Lots of great action, some of it before it's time. When this film was made, textbooks still claimed that no alligator ever killed a human being. Alligators become a major force here. There are lots of interesting bits, especially with the transportation the pair use in the swamp, "Henry". Enjoyable, and has all the classic attributes great movies have, without a lot of fanfare and big all star cast (although there are a few fairly big names). Well directed, and lots of fun.

Claudia Cardinale is the only possible reason to watch this film. She is absolutely gorgeous. The film is all over the place not knowing whether to be deadly serious or slapstick. Kidnap and murder on the one hand, then Rock Hudson fighting the bad guys with a canoe stuck on his head and then fending them off with a fire extinguisher whilst sat on a rocking horse. It made Henry "the ornery Mule" look the most dignified character and the most intelligent too. But the mere sight of Miss Cardinale!

source: Blindfold

Trailer—Blindfold

Blindfold

Claudia Cardinale is the only possible reason to watch this film. She is absolutely gorgeous. The film is all over the place not knowing whether to be deadly serious or slapstick. Kidnap and murder on the one hand, then Rock Hudson fighting the bad guys with a canoe stuck on his head and then fending them off with a fire extinguisher whilst sat on a rocking horse. It made Henry "the ornery Mule" look the most dignified character and the most intelligent too. But the mere sight of Miss Cardinale!