Modern-day Canadian cat burglar, young, handsome and rich, steals precious gems from wealthy women all over the world; he's mentored by a veteran thief, both of whom become begrudging partners with a female cat burglar and her stepfather, who has concocted his own Mission: Impossible--stealing royal blood red diamonds from an impenetrable vault. Disposable caper, written by four screenwriters (Jack DeWitt, co-producer Sandy Howard, Howard Joseph and Robert L. Joseph), has tongue in cheek and brain in neutral. The tinkling background score from Peter Thomas and Bob Harris lends the proceedings some groovy charm, but lead George Hamilton (while agile) fails to lighten the load with his nondescript personality. Star cameos by robbery victims Lilli Palmer, Carroll Baker and Zsa Zsa Gabor (playing themselves) are incidental, though Gabor makes the most of her screen time with a cheeky turn. ** from ****

George Hamilton, (Jeff Hill) learn his craft of becoming a master thief from Joseph Cotton, (Ace of Diamonds) and takes on some very risky assignments, especially the one that sexy Marie LaForet, (Olga) suggests he undertake. Jeff Hill even has a special place in his home to practice his climbing up and down the walls and sideways in order to practice his going through windows for precious gems. Jeff also has a very concealed room in his basement in order to cut up his diamonds in order to ship them to dealers undetected by jewelers. It is nice to see Joe Cotton in this film, he sort of played a very low key role and seemed like he was not too happy with this role. I almost forgot that Gabor was in this picture and made some remarks about a guy being Straight and not gay, it looks like this film was ahead of its time in raising this subject. Typical Cat Burglar film, something like " To Catch a Thief" with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.

One great line in the film. After Gabor's jewels were stolen the second time the Press showed up at the scene of the crime to interview her. One Reporter asked if she had seen the Cat Burglar. She said: "No, but that he must have seen me". Feigning surprise after looking her body up & down he said: "Why would the burglar have left?". Gabor retorted: "There isn't a straight man left in America"! They all laughed and left. Now given that this film was released in 1967 the expression 'straight' seems ahead of it's time and yet there seems no doubt as to what was implied. Was this some in-joke as surely Gabor had done much 'research' in her personal life. I'm sure the audience laughed with the Reporters yet only a few would have known what the joke really was.

This mildly entertaining German-American production has a Yankee take on the European tradition of suave jewel thieves. Perhaps influenced by the popular Italian comic books, star George Hamilton looks like Diabolik at times (though this movie was released before the film Danger: Diabolik).Amusing cameos and supporting parts by many familiar faces and ably directed by veteran director/actor Don Taylor. Lots of nice Bavarian locations. Wolfgang Preiss, who played super-criminal Dr. Mabuse in a series of films, represents the law here. Even with some Morricone-ish music, one wishes it was more representative of the wild 60s Euro costumed criminal films like Danger: Diabolik, Kriminal and Mister X. The scene where Hamilton works on a trapeze in his mansion may have inspired the similar Lara Croft bit.