Due, in part, to President Kennedy's affinity to the Ian Fleming novels, and the seemingly endless "Cold War," the 60's saw the founding of the spy movie genre as we now know it. After the Bond movies made box office gold, there were soon other franchises such as the "Flint" movies and the "Matt Helm" and "Harry Palmer" franchises. While the Harry Palmer films were serious spy stories, most of the competing franchises were more spoofs of the Bond series than serious spy films. The Bond films eventually devolved into less serious spy films as well, until the Daniel Craig era brought things back to a more serious tone. When the spy movie era arrived, television jumped on the bandwagon right away. There were series such as "The Man From Uncle" and "I Spy" which sought to cash in on the spy genre. However, other than these regular series, there was only one "made for TV" spy movie franchise and that was the John Smith series. This series has simply not been given the attention deserved as these are very good stories in the John le Carre' or "Harry Palmer" tradition. They were made in Pinewood Studios in Britain (where many of the early Bond films were made) and enjoyed a British flair to their production. These movies stand out as excellent spy movies (with a strong film noir feel to them) albeit made for the ABC movie of the week time slot which limited them to 75 minutes each. This is the only draw back in these films—the editing to fit the time slot sometimes moved the story too quickly. Robert Horton was cast as the lead character. This was quite a departure for him since he had been primarily an actor in westerns prior to filming "The Spy Killer" and its follow-up film "Foreign Exchange." After his departure from "Wagon Train" there was briefly talk of him starring in a private eye series but this never came to pass. He generally continued to play characters from the old west until this series. Horton was a good actor and a good choice for this franchise as he had good screen presence and was convincing in the role. John Smith is a former operative of the C.I.A. and, later, British Intelligence and has been an assassin for his English boss "Max"--- played exquisitely by Sebastian Cabot. Smith has retired from the spy business because he was forced to kill someone who "didn't have it coming." Jill St. John plays his girlfriend during her long hair period when, in this writer's humble opinion, she was her most beautiful. Her acting in this is actually pretty good for sometimes she has been called upon to be eye candy rather than a serious actor. The novels that these films were based upon were written by Jimmy Sangster (Britain's answer to America's Richard Matheson, with more of a bent for film noir) who wrote only two novels in the John Smith series, viz "Private, I" (which became "The Spy Killer") and "Foreign Exchange." The stories are serious spy stories, without the flashy cars or gadgets or constant gun play. Indeed, Smith's pistol is kept in a safe deposit box and it is a Colt 1911 A-1 Army model—the kind of gun to which a former military man might have an affinity. Sangster keeps everyone guessing as to who will double cross whom next. The beauty of these films is that, as in the real world of espionage, nothing is to be trusted or taken at face value. The plot and dialogue of both films are extremely good (which tends to be the case with British productions—face it, the Brits are more artful with the language than most Americans). These films would be the last starring roles for Robert Horton in a movie, for he would soon take his career to the stage and Broadway and only occasionally appear thereafter on TV or in film. It is a pity that three or four additional installments to the series did not come to pass for it was a great character. But, like the Flint saga, it ended after only two movies. This writer hopes and predicts that, now that Robert Horton has passed away, these films will be rediscovered. Good luck finding copies of these films. "The Spy Killer" is available on Amazon in a DVD with four other old movies, but "Foreign Exchange" is currently only available in bootleg copies.

'The Spy Killer' was the first of two made-for-television movies starring Robert Horton ( of 'Wagon Train' ) as 'John Smith, a former American secret agent who has become a London-based private detective. They were based on novels by Jimmy Sangster, the man who turned Hammer Films into a byword for screen horror. He also adapted them and produced, while Roy Baker ( whose film credits include 'A Night To Remember' and 'Scars Of Dracula' ) directed.The story starts when Smith's ex-wife Danielle ( Barbara Shelley ) hires him to investigate whether or not Dunning ( Donald Morley ), her new husband, is involved in a gay affair. Smith turns up at the man's flat with a camera, only to find he has been brutally murdered. The police arrest Smith ( Dunning's lover having gotten away ). His former boss, Max ( Sebastian Cabot ), agrees to get Smith off the charge provided he hand over a notebook he kept during his time as a spy, containing the names of Western agents operating in China. Also after the book is an Albanian agent who goes by the name of Igor ( a possible nod to Sangster's 'Frankenstein' days? ). As if he has not enough to deal with, Smith has the law after him - Inspector Diman ( Kenneth J. Warren ) believes he is guilty of murder, and won't let up...No-one should approach this in the expectation of seeing Bond-style action, it has more in common with Le Carre. The plot twists and turns so fast you will be lost unless you pay close attention. This is not just another piece of anti-Communist propaganda either. Smith's own side is as conniving as the opposition. I was reminded strongly of the 'Man In A Suitcase' television series. Richard Bradford's 'McGill' was also an ex-spy turned gumshoe, but Smith left because he was disillusioned with the job, rather than being thrown out on his ear, as happened with 'Mac'.As 'Smith', Horton gives a solid performance. Jill St.John, who plays his fashion model girlfriend 'Mary Harper', went on to co-star with Sean Connery in the 1971 Bond movie 'Diamonds Are Forever'. Sebastian Cabot's 'Max' is a more devious and cunning version of 'Mother' from 'The Avengers' series. At the conclusion, he threatens Mary unless he gets back the money he gave Smith. "I promised you something for expenses!", he says, peeling off a five-pound note and handing it over. The cast is full of such wonderful British supporting players as Philip Madoc, Timothy Bateson, Lee Montague, and Eleanor Summerfield.'The Spy Killer' ( and its sequel 'Foreign Exchange' ) were shown by I.T.V. in the '70's and '80's, mostly as 'fillers' in daytime slots, but have not been seen now for a long while. A pity as they are both good if you like complex spy stories with a Swinging London feel. The title song 'Born Beneath A Star' ( used on both movies ) was composed by Johnny Pearson, and performed by Scott Walker-soundalike John Rowles.

Robert Horton, perhaps best remembered as Ward Bond's scout in the early years of the western TV series "Wagon Train," stars in this espionage drama about an ex-agent whose former boss won't let go. John Smith (Horton) is trying to make a living as a London private investigator and have a happy relationship with his girlfriend, a high fashion model (Jill St. John), who knows nothing about his previous employment. When Smith's ex-boss Max (Sebastian Cabot) has a sticky problem, he manipulates Smith into getting involved against his (Smith's) better judgment. Settle in to your chair and be prepared to pay close attention, because if you don't, you could be lost at any one of several plot twists, courtesy of novelist/scripter Jimmy Sangster. It is well worth the effort, though, especially if you like your spies more like George Smiley than James Bond.