Watch Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round

Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round is a 1966 caper film directed by Bernard Girard, starring James Coburn, Camilla Sparv, and Aldo Ray. The film is a delightful blend of suspense, comedy, and style that tells the story of a former CIA agent who devises an elaborate scheme to steal a fortune from a high-security vault. James Coburn plays Eli Kotch, a charming and witty con artist who had a colorful career as a spy, but has now fallen on hard times. Desperate for money, he concocts an audacious plan to rob a posh Beverly Hills bank. Since he knows that the vault is impregnable, he decides to use a diversion to distract the guards and disable the alarms.

His scheme involves enlisting the help of three strangers: a blonde model named Inger Knudson (Camilla Sparv), a tough ex-con named Julius Mendoza (Aldo Ray), and a nerdy bank clerk named Geo Sullivan (Nina Wayne). Eli uses his charm and persuasion to convince each of them to play a role in his plan, without revealing the full picture of what he has in mind.

As the story unfolds, we see how Eli manipulates and seduces each member of the team, while keeping the audience guessing about his true motives. He plays mind games with the suspicious and fiery Inger, who keeps questioning his loyalty and intentions. He also exploits the fears and ambitions of the jittery Geo, who dreams of becoming a songwriter, to gain access to the bank's security system.

Meanwhile, he enlists the muscle of the brawny Julius, who has a penchant for violence and a grudge against the police. Together, they rehearse and execute the heist with meticulous precision, using various tricks and gadgets that display an impressive knowledge of technology and espionage.

The film is notable for its snappy dialogues, stylish visuals, and clever twists that keep the audience on edge. The scenes of the actors playing out their roles, lounging in luxurious settings, and exchanging witty remarks are reminiscent of classic Hollywood caper films like Ocean's Eleven and The Thomas Crown Affair.

The film also benefits from its location, as it showcases the glitz and glamour of Beverly Hills, with its flashy cars, designer clothes, and lavish parties. The viewer gets to witness the contrast between the affluent lifestyle of the successful and corrupt people, such as the bank president (Severn Darden) and the hard-working and honest ordinary people, such as Inger's immigrant aunt (Rose Marie).

As the film heads towards its climax, with the heist about to go live, the tension and excitement build up to a satisfying resolution. Without revealing what happens, it can be said that the ending leaves a lot to ponder, as it raises questions about Eli's character and motivations, and the nature of justice and morality.

Overall, Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round is a delightful and entertaining movie that showcases the talents of its cast and director. The film's combination of suspense, comedy, and style makes it a gem of the caper genre, and a must-watch for any fan of classic Hollywood movies.

Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round is a 1966 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.