Monday, March 23, 2026

Beyond Naschy #39 - ATTACK OF THE ROBOTS (1966)


Our journey through Naschy adjacent Jess Franco films continues with ATTACK OF THE ROBOTS (1966)! Part of the brief spurt of Euro-Spy films that sprang up in response to Bond-mania the film features Eddie Constantine playing a slightly comedic version of his many tough guy roles. The film centers on a mysterious group of bronze-skinned automatons who are assassinating important European dignitaries. When their eyeglasses are removed, they turn into vegetative zombies and when killed their odd skin tone changes to pale white. Interpol calls in Constantine’s character Al Pereira to investigate. Throw in a seductive villainess, some mad science and Q-style gadgets and you have a breezy, fun adventure – at least for some. Not all Franco fans seem to like this one.

Bob Sargent joins Troy and I as we romp our way around Alicante with Pereira and try to unravel this bizarre mystery. We discuss the year the world turned to color and how this final black & white Franco film fits into his 60’s output. Bob recommends other Eddie Constantine films and I vow to track down more of his earlier crime movies. Where is the much hoped for Lemmy Caution boxed set, already? We relate our various reactions to the film’s amusing tone and note how easily it could fit into the Pink Panther universe. This is definitely not your average Jess Franco crime thriller and that might be why we enjoyed it.
 
If you have any comments about this or any other of Uncle Jess’ movies naschycast@gmail.com is the place to send them. We may not let Bob chose the next Beyond Naschy topic but you never know! Thanks for listening. 

Thursday, March 19, 2026

What I Watched in February 2026


The short form critique of CRIME 101 (2026) is that is attempting to be a variation of Michael Mann’s HEAT for the 21st century. I suppose that is a valid way to look at the film but it seems dismissive of the effective work being done on every level here. The entire cast is working in top form, the story is well constructed and the direction is tight and precise. I enjoyed it for the entire runtime and it left me with a satisfied smile at its conclusion. I don’t think it is as sharp as the aforementioned HEAT but it doesn’t need to be to be a good thriller. I look forward to seeing it a second time to luxuriate in watching the pieces rotate around the clever criminal plans before clicking into place. 

The List

THE MINOR (1974) – 6 (Italian sex drama/comedy)

COME DIE WITH ME (1974) – 6 (TV murder drama movie)

STREET GIRLS (1975) – 6 (low budget, grimy tale of strippers)

SEND HELP (2026) – 8 

THE SNOW CREATURE (1954) – 3 (terrible low budget yeti film)

THE ABOMNIBLE SNOWMAN (1957) – 8 (rewatch on Blu)

THE PUMAMAN (1980) – 4 (not as bad as I feared – not good either)

SHOT IN THE DARK (1933) – 6 (short British murder mystery/old dark house tale)

DRACULA (2026) – 7 (Luc Besson rips off several other films but his stew is tasty)

DEATHSTALKER (1983) – 6 (rewatch)

BLACK DRAGONS (1942) – 4 (rewatch)

CONVOY BUSTERS (1978) – 7 (Maurizio Merli slaps smugglers around)

CRIME 101 (2026) – 7 

CASTLE OF EVIL (1966) – 6 (interesting old dark house tale)

THE SIMON’S JIGSAW (2015) – 7 (entertaining documentary about Juan Piquer Simón)

EXTRA TERRESTRIAL VISITORS (1983) – 3 (I finally see the uncut film and it is bad)

THE BLACK DOLL (1938) – 6 (Crime Club mystery)

MOTHER OF FLIES (2025) – 8 (excellent slow burn folk horror)

NIGHTMARE AT 43 HILLCREST (1974) – 6 (TV movie about a criminal police prosecution) 

PHENOMNA (1985) – 7 (rewatch on 4K)

THE MYSTERY OF THE WHITE ROOM (1939) – 5 (Crime Club mystery)

HOUSE OF FEAR (1939) – 6 (Crime Club mystery in a ‘haunted’ theater)




 

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Video - COBRA MISSION (1986)


COBRA MISSION (a.k.a. Operation Nam) is the subject of the next episode of Wild, Wild Podcast. We're covering the film because it features Donald Pleasence for a few minutes. Seriously, he is in the movie for less than ten minutes and everything he does was probably shot in a single day. But you still might want to watch this rip-off of UNCOMMON VALOR (1983) for what it has to offer which is plenty of explosions. 

Monday, March 16, 2026

Kolchak, The Night Stalker Collectable Figures!


Those madmen at Wandering Planet are at it again with a new Kickstarter for a Kolchak action figure! It's 1/12 scale with 22 points of articulation and sports a variety of accessories. They are also doing a figure of the vampire Janos Skorzeny and a two-pack of them together! 

 

Video - ATTACK OF THE ROBOTS (1966) Trailer


Here is the French language trailer for this Jess Franco Euro-Spy film. It is not one of his most beloved films from the 1960's but I love it and I have a few friends that enjoy it as well. Beyond Naschy podcast episode on the way soon!