George Maharis, Richard Basehart, Anne Francis, and Dana Andrews look for "The Satan Bug," a 1965 film based on a novel by Alistair MacLean.The subject is something that certainly holds sway today: biological warfare. Lee Barrett (Maharis) who had been a security officer at a top secret government lab until he was fired, is summoned back to duty. Biological warfare agents have been stolen from the facility, and it is most urgent that what is referred to as the "Satan Bug" is found. The bug has the capacity to wipe out all of mankind if it is released. The thief, apparently a wealthy dissident, is threatening to release it in a public place. He wants the Security 3 division shut down. Barrett suspects the crook had help from the inside.The film's pacing is a little off, and the film is a little too long, though it's nice-looking and has one of those great '60s casts familiar to baby boomers. George Maharis had hit stardom with his TV show "Route 66" and Anne Francis, who was a starlet at Fox, was TV's "Honey West." Richard Basehart, besides a fine film career, was the star of "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea." I also spotted ex-Mike Karr on "The Edge of Night," John Larkin, and Ed Asner in a very small role. Film star Dana Andrews, whose career declined due to alcoholism, is here as General Williams.The casting of a pivotal role gives away some of the plot, but that won't be true for everyone who sees it. Worth seeing, and certainly the topic is timely.

Get a load of those clogged LA freeways from the air. I've always wondered what my morning commute looks like to a flying bird. But then everybody's evacuating because nutcase Hoffman's (Basehart) going to let loose a deadly virus somewhere in the city. Barrett (Maharis) better get to him and the germ flask first or Hollywood won't be making any more of these disaster films.It's edge of the seat suspense the whole way. Events get a little complicated midway as we try to figure out who's doing what to whom and which side they're on. But that's okay since one development leads quickly to another. I especially like the set-up in the first part, where events in the lab unfold mysteriously. It's a heckuva hook, well staged and scripted.Actor Maharis is appropriately intense. I guess that makes sense since the fate of the world, no less, may depend on him. Lovely Francis is along as eye candy, while Basehart growls his lines from the bottom of a well. And is that the prickly Lou Grant (Asner) practicing his glower as a laconic thug.All in all, it's an ace thriller with a highway tour of the drier parts of LA county. However, I don't think I'll be risking a cold soda at Dodger stadium any time soon.

The future as far as the movies are concerned is stocked full of possibilities. Some scenarios are happy and conducive to modern life, Others are froth with woe and famine and appear to be bleak prospects at best. Still others are terrifying in their message and that's what this film is all about. "The Satan Bug" is the story of what could go wrong if secret testing labs are allowed to produce nightmare microbes which can destroy all life on the planet. In this dramatic offering, our hero Lee Barrett (George Maharis), a former Intelligence Officer, is recalled to duty at a secret designation called ' Station #3 '. The reason? It has been learned that one of the scientist Dr. Gregor Hoffman (Richard Baseheart) has invented a dangerous viral germ which has the potential to destroy everything living. This potential biological weapon has been stolen and the man who controls it is set on blackmailing the government. The movie is packed with surprises in the script as well as in the star-studded cast. Dana Andrews plays Gen. Williams, while Frank Sutton (Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.) and Edward Asner (Lou Grant) play the heavies working for the lunatic madman. As I said, surprising, as both are wonderful as is the hero's romantic intention, Anne Francis as Ann Williams. Although there are some parts to the film which are a bit stiff, overall it's a good story and one which is entertainingly acceptable as dramatic featurette. ****

A True gem that's always been overlooked. First saw it in the late sixties and it scared the heck outta me. See it every four or five years and I still enjoy it and get a little detail I'd missed, really well written.I was surprised when I checked who'd written it and I didn't know of Ian Stewart, turns out it was a pen name for Alistair McLean.George Maharis and Ann Francis are excellent and I always wonder why Maharis never really made it. He was a very good actor. The desert background always gave that lonely eerie feel.Also watch for James Doohan (Scottie) as a G Man in a bit role.