The Silencers danish poster

Murderer's Row poster

Matt Helm is a fictional secret agent created by Donald Hamilton. Helm appeared in more than 27 books over a 33-year period beginning in 1960. The series praised for its hard realism and between-book continuity. But when the novels were adapted for film, they couldn't escape the effect of the Bond-craze, and Matt Helm became a parody of James Bond.

The man behind the Matt Helm series was producer Irving Allen, ex-partner of Albert Broccoli, in partnership with the star of the films, Dean Martin. When the novels were adapted, only a few plot elements were kept, and the atmosphere was changed into the 60s typical spy spoof style as opposed to the original books' harder theme. Helm was no longer tough-minded and pragmatic but an easygoing, wisecracking playboy who equally likes girls and drinks. Four films were made, right during the top of the spy-craze, and they were a major box office hit. Despite the success, Dean Martin opted not to make a fifth film, which was already announced and was titled "The Ravagers". Without Martin, the fifth Matt Helm film was never made. In the 70s, a TV series was made starring Tony Franciosa, in which Helm was an ex-spy turned private detective.

The Matt Helm films, along with the Flint films, were an inspiration for the Austin Powers series.

The Silencers (1966)
Directed by Phil Karlson.
Starring Dean Martin, Stella Stevens, Daliah Lavi, Victor Buono, James Gregory
Music by Elmer Bernstein
Cinematography by Burnett Guffey

Murderer's Row (1966)
Directed by Henry Levin
Starring Dean Martin, Ann-Margaret, Karl Malden, Camilla Sparv, James Gregory
Music by Lalo Schifrin
Cinematography by Sam Leavitt

The Ambushers (1967)
Directed by Henry Levin
Starring Dean Martin, Senta Berger, Janice Rule, Albert Salmi, Kurt Kasznar, James Gregory
Music by Hugo Montenegro
Cinematography by Edward Colman and Burnett Guffey

The Wrecking Crew (1969)
Directed by Phil Karlson
Starring Dean Martin, Elke Sommer, Sharon Tate, Nancy Kwan, Nigel Green, John Larch (also Chuck Norris' first film role as an uncredited henchman)
Music by Hugo Montenegro
Cinematography by Sam Leavitt