The Unknown Man of Shandigor

Streaming video - 1967

The film stars a Who’s Who of great Sixties European character actors starting with the unforgettable Daniel Emilfork as crazed scientist Herbert Von Krantz, who’s invented a device to sterilize all nuclear weapons called “the canceler.” A mad herd of rival spies are desperate to get their hands on the device, including legendary French singer Serge Gainsbourg as the leader of a sect of bald, turtleneck-wearing assassins, and Jess Franco veteran Howard Vernon. Gainsbourg’s deranged jazz-lounge song, “Bye Bye Mr. Spy” – performed by him on funeral parlor organ, no less – is arguably the film’s high point.