Agent for H.A.R.M.

Agent for H.A.R.M. is a 1966 science fiction spy thriller directed by Gerd Oswald and starring Mark Richman, one of a number of spy thrillers of the era having conspicuous sci-fi elements. Here it is the deadly spores which turn human flesh into fungus on contact.

Agent for H.A.R.M.
Theatrical release poster.
Directed byGerd Oswald
Written byBlair Robertson
Produced byJoseph F. Robertson
StarringMark Richman
Carl Esmond
Wendell Corey
Barbara Bouchet
Rafael Campos
CinematographyJames Crabe
Music byGene Kauer
Douglas M. Lackey
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
January 5, 1966
Running time
84 mins.
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The film was intended to be the television pilot for a new spy series. However, it was later decided that it should be given a theatrical release instead. It was released as a double feature with Wild Wild Winter.

Plot

Adam Chance (Peter Mark Richman), works for an American agency, H.A.R.M. (Human Aetiological Relations Machine). He is assigned to protect Dr. Jan Steffanic (Carl Esmond), a recent Soviet defector who has developed a new weapon which fires spores that upon contact with skin slowly eat the body away.

Following Dr. Steffanic's arrival in the US he is taken into protective custody by H.A.R.M. and is placed in a beach house along with his niece and Agent Chance to develop a spore antidote. Here he reveals the communists' real plan, which is to dust all of the American crops with these deadly spores. During their time at this house Chance falls for Steffanic's niece Ava Vestok (Barbara Bouchet), who is later revealed to be a communist spy. After the flat is attacked, Dr. Steffanic is kidnapped by European spies and taken to a warehouse. Chance eventually rides in and a gun fight ensues in which Steffanic (spelled “Stefanik” on-screen) is exposed to the deadly spores in a valiant sacrifice, and dies. Afterwards, Chance re-appears at the beach house and arrests Ava for good.

Cast

Music

Reception

Howard Thompson of The New York Times called it an "anemic James Bond imitation".[1]

Trivia

This film was featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000, as the host segments feature Mike Nelson being put on Trial. This is also Patrick Brantseg's first episode as Gypsy due to Jim Mallon's focus on directing.

See also

References
  1. Thompson, Howard (January 6, 1966). "Screen: Pale Bond Copy:'Agent From H.A.R.M.' Tops a Double Bill". The New York Times. p. 20.
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