"Blindfold" is based on a 1960 novel of the same title by Lucille Fletcher. Not having read the book, but from what little I could find out about it, my guess is that it was a straight mystery story of espionage, crime and action. In other words, no comedy. This film is billed as a comedy first, and with its opening and script it's obviously intended to be that. Rock Hudson's New York psychiatrist, Dr. Bartholomew Snow, is about to lose fiancé number six and get number seven. Where the action and skullduggery get a little heavy, one might begin to wonder about this; but then a light touch appears. So, there are things like a mule to ride through a swamp, mannequins that serve as decoys, and such.

Some reviewers saw similarity to Hitchcock thrillers. I'll grant a little bit of a touch of Hitchcock, but it would be a far stretch to compare this with the likes of "North by Northwest." One thing that stood out is this film's bit of satire. The scenes with Dr. Snow trying to get through the various American security and intelligence agencies and running into brick walls are funny.

Most of the characters have something about them that doesn't appear too serious, so the humorous undertone of the film is always apparent, even in the kidnapping and interrogation scenes. So, this never gets to the point of a griping mystery or very exciting action thriller. The romance aspect is almost an afterthought. There isn't much chance for that to take hold with all the scurrying about that goes on.

The screenplay seems a little choppy or disjointed in a couple of places. The cast are all good, but no one stands out as above average. Anne Seymour, as Dr. Snow's receptionist and secretary, Smitty, provides half the humor. She seemed to have an air of enjoying or having fun making the movie. The action or thrill scenes are okay and somewhat interesting, but really quite lame or tame compared even to the standard fare.

This isn't a film to watch if one is looking for lots of laughs or a comedy to enjoy. Or if one wants an edge-of-seat mystery or fast and furious action thriller. Rock Hudson and Claudia Cardinale are in other films that have very good comedy. And Bruce Willis or Tom Cruise would have a slew of edge-of-seat action films one might choose. But, for a rainy afternoon or relaxing evening, fans of these actors at least might enjoy this film.

Here are the best lines in the movie.

Dr. Bartholomew Snow, on the phone with fiancé number six, "She said what? She said all psychiatrists are nuts, did she? Well, let me tell you something about your mother..." She hangs up.

Smitty, "Oh, um, you'll like Mr. Fitzpatrick - typical Madison avenue syndrome." Dr. Snow, "I'll make the diagnosis, Miss Smith." Smitty, "Yes, doctor."

Dr. Snow, with maudlin music in the background, "Miss Smith - just because I have suffered several disappointments, you seem to be under the impression that I am intolerably shallow. On the contrary, it is precisely the warmth of my emotions that causes all these... difficulties. Mine's a... tender spirit... Eager for love.... Easily Wounded." Smitty, who has been working on records at her desk, "Yes, doctor. Just don't bleed on the rug."

When Alfred Hitchcock made "North by Northwest", it was so successful that the studios wanted him to make another movie in the same style. However Hitchcock wanted to move on saying, "Style is merely self-plagiarism".

Nevertheless, Hollywood loved the ingredients in "North by Northwest" and attempted many variations on the theme: "Charade", "Arabesque", "Caprice" and "Blindfold", which got as close as any.

Psychiatrist and playboy, Dr Bartholomew Snow, is enlisted by national security chief, General Pratt (Jack Warden), to help the recovery of Arthur Vicenti, a top scientist suffering from a mental breakdown. Vicenti is in danger from an organisation that kidnaps and sells scientists to the highest bidder.

Snow, who never loses his sangfroid for a moment, is blindfolded and taken to a secret location for his meetings with Vincenti, but returns to his practice in New York so that nothing appears out of the ordinary. When Vicenti's sister, showgirl Vicky Vicenti, comes looking for her brother, she and Snow become involved along with enemy agents of varying degrees of intelligence.

Eventually it all ends up in the Florida Everglades with alligators, airboats, quicksand and Rock and Claudia in a clinch at the fadeout.

By this stage of his career, Rock Hudson was as smooth as Cary Grant, but how sexy was Claudia Cardinale in "Blindfold"?

There is a scene in her dressing room where she wears a see-through costume with the only nod to modesty being a sprinkle of strategically placed sequins and some feathers. Claudia Cardinale was never likely to be first choice for Shakespeare, but she was such a stunning presence that it didn't matter if she wasn't totally projecting the Stanislavski Method.

Although Rock could give powerful performances, he just about phoned this one in. However it's really all he needed to do and he had great comedic timing; I love his reaction when his secretary catches him in his office playing with Vicky's knee. There is a stupid fight scene with Rock using a fire extinguisher, but the clever sequence where he retraces the route when he was blindfolded makes up for it.

For those who liked "North by Northwest", "Blindfold" blended the same basic ingredients well.

A New York psychiatrist , Dr. Bartholomew Snow (Rock Hudson) is inveigled by General Prat (Jack Warden) and his operatives into treating a disturbed scientist whose discoveries are fundamental to the Cold War effort and who is held in a secret location necessitating a blindfold for the shrink on route , but sinister surprises lurk in the dark. He then engages in a thorny espionage with noted scientist (Alejandro Rey) wanted by certain foreign powers, later on , international terrorists intervene , Hudson soon finds himself caught in the middle and out of desperation, he joins with the boffin's showgirl sister , Vicky Vincenti (Claudia Cardinale) who also happens to be a brave and fiery woman, both of whom attempt to retrace his steps and save the day . As Bartholomew stubbornly retraces his route by means of clues and sounds to discover the actual source of the original location. Then a trailing cop (Brad Dexter) and his chief (Robert F. Simon) enter the fray . Living Dangerously . . . And loving every minute of it!. Bullets and Brunettes...in a Blind Alley 15 miles wide, 2,000 miles long and 20 high...and time running out !. Deadly...Dangerous...The Game is...Blindfold...The less you see...the longer you live...when you're wrapped in the danger of Blindfold..Behind the Blindfold is the greatest security trap ever devised. A blind alley paved with deadly danger!

An acceptable and twisted thriller/comedy with explosive conflict of world-shattering espionage , including suspense , intriguing events , twists and turns . It displays a charming cast , but the uneven filmmaking falters in film that wavers from mystery , thriller, action-packed to comedy . It contains inappropriate slapstick scenes and some fights in Terence Hill/Bud Spencer style seem incongrous . Main ans support cast are pretty well . Rock Hudson gives a sympathetic acting in his usual style as a psychiatrist treating patients with emotional problems who's solicited by government agents in connection with a former one. While Claudia Cardinale as his beautiful partner is extremely sympathetic and really gorgeous.they are finely supported by nice and familar secondaries providing stunning interpretations , such as : Jack Warden , Guy Stockwell, Brad Dexter , Anne Seymour , Alejandro Rey, Hari Rhodes, Vito Scotti , Angela Clarke , Mort Mills , Robert F. Simon. And brief apperances , almost extras , from Bruce Glover , Charles Horvath, Roy Jenson , Chuck Roberson, Norman Alden, among others.

It displays lively and thrilling musical score by veteran composer Lalo Schifrin . Colorful cinematography in Technicolor by the splendid director of photography by Joseph MacDonald . Shot on location in Ocala, Florida , New York City, and Universal Studios California . The motion picture was uneven and professionally directed by Philip Dunne , though he seems to have trouble sustaining it , lapsing into thudding comedy and silly action. Distinguised screenwriter Dunne had also made ten movies in the former decade before his career came to an almighty stop with this mediocre but at times decent thriller. Dunne was one of the founders of the American Screen Writer's Guild and along with director William Wyler and John Huston, he formed the Committee for the First Amendment to protest the procedures of the House Un-American Activities Committee. Dunne was an expert writer , getting some successes , such as Anne of the Indians , Sinuhé, the Egyptian , The Robe , Martin the Gaucho , Pinky , David and Betsabe , The Ghost and Mrs Muir , Demetrius and the Gladiators , Lydia Bailey . And he directed some movies as Blindfold , El inspector , Wild in the Country , 10, calle Frederick , Three Brave Men , Hilda Crane , The view from Pompey's Head . Blindfold(1966) rating : 5.5/10. Acceptable and passsable flick, but neither notable , nor extraordinary , but mildly decent . The pic will appeal to Rock Hudson and Claudia Cardinale fans .