Forget the reviews that harp on about "Casino Royale" - the fact that an important plot point was lifted from that book is IRRELEVANT to the enjoyment to be had from one of Britain's Best Sixties Movies.And don't concern yourself with Warren Beatty either. Only hired to sell the movie Stateside, he sleep-walks through it, while awaiting fame as Clyde Barrow, George Roundy, et al.Instead, delight in the performance of the lovely Susannah York (who sadly passed, earlier this year) who sparkles in this project - the sterling work by the bizarre Murray Melvin - the excellent wallow in Napoleonic evil, delivered with relish by the great Eric Porter - and above all, the outstanding turn from the incomparable Clive Revill (who, at 81, is still with us).After memorable appearances in many British movies, Revill relocated to America in the early Seventies and squandered his talents as one of the great character actors on TV fare (although he did get to shine as Villain Of The Week in a Columbo).But here, he excels as a quirky Scotland Yard detective, in possibly his best outing ever. Truly he was one of those rare actors who always gave more than was on the page.Add to these a slew of Sixties kitsch - and not forgetting a literate script - and you have one of the Great British Sixties Movies. Enjoy!

Robert and Jean Carrington wrote this story and the movie version is directed by Jack Smight. It tells the story of handsome Barney Lincoln (Warren Beatty) a suave and debonair playboy who creates a most ingenious plan to rob the most prestigious European casinos in Europe. He does this by 'marking' the original manufacturing plate design for playing cards. Thus when he plays in the very best casinos, he has an edge. Unbeknown to Mr. Lincoln, British police Inspector 'Manny' McGinnis (Clive Revill) has discovered his secret and convinces him to help bankrupt Harry Dominion (Eric Porter), a dangerous and notorious drug smuggler by playing cards with him. Risking his life and that of Angel McGinnis (Susannah York) his ditsy girlfriend, both play dangerously close to a man quite capable of murdering them. What Lincoln does not anticipate is that Dominion will play with Unmarked cards. This charming and delightful film is one of Beatty's best and one which is certain to become a fun Classic for all audiences. Easilly recommended. ****

A fun mod comedy starring Warren Beatty as a wealthy American gambling his way across Europe. Of course, he's cheating (in a very clever way) and raising the suspicions of Scotland yard Inspector Clive Revill and raising the interest of free-spirited Susannah York. Revill recruits Beatty to help him nab nasty drug kingpin Eric Porter. It's all cleverly made, fast moving and very fun. Beatty is terrific and York is a great match for him. They really click, showing much the same chemistry that Beatty would have with Julie Christie in the '70s. Directed with an extremely light touch by Jack Smight and featuring a score by Stanley Myers that mixes pop, jazz and Indian sounds together. Murray Melvin has a brief role as a very efficient policeman. A welcome piece of entertainment considering it follows Beatty's involvement in the lousy PROMISE HER ANYTHING and the head-scratching MICKEY ONE.

When producer Charles K. Feldman was asked why his 1967 film of 'Casino Royale' deviated so wildly from the source material, he replied that the Eon movies had already swiped most of it. He could have said instead that Jack Smight's 'Kaleidoscope', released the year before, was an even more blatant steal of Fleming's first book. Warren Beatty plays 'Barney Lincoln', an American playboy who devises the perfect 'get rich quick' plan. Breaking into the Kaleidoscope playing card factory in Geneva, he carefully marks the printing plates. The doctored cards head for Europe's top casinos. With the beautiful 'Angel McGinnis' ( Susannah York ) in tow, Lincoln breaks the banks, and soon amasses a considerable fortune.But his unlawful activities bring him to the attention of New Scotland Yard. 'Inspector Manny McGinnis' ( Angel's father ) wants him to bankrupt the sinister head of a narcotics ring called 'Harry Dominion' ( Eric Porter ). The means? A game of poker. Facing a lengthy jail sentence, Barney reluctantly agrees.Robert and Jane Howard-Carrington's script is a more faithful version of Fleming's book than either the 1967 all-star spoof or Martin Campbell's 2006 retread. Porter gleefully hams it up as 'Dominion', a villain straight out of Bond, particularly as he has a Napoleonic complex. There's a tense scene as he teases his men with the revelation that there is a traitor in their midst. Taking one of them ( George Murcell ) to a cellar, he retreats as the unfortunate man is incinerated with a flame-thrower.Beatty has never been one of my favourite actors ( and no, I'm not just jealous of his legendary sexual conquests ), but the role of 'Barney' at least allows him to be funny and charming in a Cary Grant sort of way. As sexy boutique owner 'Angel', Susannah York makes the most of a stock 'love interest' character. For me the real star is Clive Revill as the steam engine-loving police officer McGinnis. an 'Avengers' style eccentric to be sure. Murray Melvin ( from 'A Taste Of Honey' ) is also good as sharp shooting 'Aimes'. The fine supporting cast includes the late George Sewell, Yootha Joyce, Peter Blythe, and John Junkin. Jane 'Blow-Up' Birkin puts in a 'blink and you'll miss it' appearance.'Kaleidoscope' is one of those American-funded ( Winkast Productions also made Alistair Maclean adaptations such as 'When Eight Bells Toll' ) pictures which exploited the Swinging London phenomenon of the time. Maurice Binder's title sequence offers a picture postcard view of the capital seen through the afore-mentioned novelty toy. Fortunately, arch scenes like the one in which Barney romances Angel in a field at night while she is perched on a cow are few and far between. Stanley Myers' chirpy music keeps the proceedings nicely afloat, with a sitar accompanying psychedelic scene breaks of the sort later parodied by the awful 'Austin Powers' films. Jack Smight later made the cult film of Ray Bradbury's 'The Illustrated Man'.Unlike 'Casino Royale', there's no big torture scene here, although Barney gets his legs hit at one stage with ( ironically ) a poker. Though not a spy film, 'Kaleidoscope' owes enough to the Bond series to make it required viewing for fans.