Code Name: Diamond Head

Code Name: Diamond Head
Written byPaul King
Directed byJeannot Szwarc
StarringRoy Thinnes
France Nuyen
Gilbert Lani Kauhi
Music byMorton Stevens
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerQuinn Martin
Running time74 minutes
Original release
ReleaseMay 3, 1977 (1977-05-03)

Code Name: Diamond Head is a 1977 American television spy film starring Roy Thinnes[1] as an undercover counterintelligence officer known as Diamond Head whose mission is to stop a rogue double agent from stealing the formula for a new chemical weapon.[2] Originally filmed as a pilot for a new television drama (which was never picked up by the networks), it was eventually used for The NBC Monday Movie on U.S. broadcast network NBC. [3][4]

Plot

Johnny Paul (Thinnes) is a flashy gambler and ladies' man living on Oahu. In reality, he is an agent working for a secret US government agency. He is assigned to a mission to stop the theft of a deadly new gas, which has the potential to cause instant death upon contact. The substance was being secretly created by a top battalion of Marines at the request of a Pentagon official. However, a double agent had infiltrated the unit, killed the executive, and assumed his identity. Paul uses his image to get close to the double agent, who is known by the pseudonym "Tree". However, once his cover is blown, it's a race against time to stop Tree from selling the secrets to an unnamed foreign power.

Cast

[5]

Reception and legacy

Kevin Thomas for the Los Angeles Times praised Jeannot Szwarc's direction, calling it "crisp and driving". Conversely, Thomas was critical of Paul King's script, finding it "too trite to succeed as the escapist entertainment intended".[6]

The film was featured in a season six episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Home media

The film is currently available only in VHS format. The Mystery Science Theater version was released in DVD format on March 27, 2012 as part of the 23rd boxset of the series.[7]

References

  1. ^ BFI
  2. ^ Turner Classic Movies
  3. ^ Daddy-O's Drive-In Dirt
  4. ^ B&S About Movies
  5. ^ TV Guide
  6. ^ Thomas, Kevin (May 3, 1977). "The Spy Game in 'Diamond Head'". Los Angeles Times. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ MST3K: Volume XXIII - DVD - Shout! Factory