When they announced in the early 1990's that Sally Kellerman was being cast as Eastern European cartoon character Natasha Fatale in a live-action film, I told my friends, now that is perfect casting. Unfortunately what ended up on cable TV as it somehow skipped a movie theater release is a weak comedy that is only saved by the presence of Kellerman every time that she is on screen, which fortunately is for the majority of the film. Dave Thomas, as Boris Badinoff, seems to be playing the real Boris's thin twin brother, and lacks the campy quality of the character as seen back in 1959.
The premise has Boris and Natasha defecting from Pottsylvania as a part of a plot by "Fearless Leader" to rid himself of his two most incompetent spies as part of his own secret mission, searching for a secret microchip. His scheme goes amok when somehow Natasha ends up as a top model whose short hairstyle influences famous movie stars (initial M.S.) to change their own style, a sight gag making fun of a recent melodramatic movie. Boris is jealous of Natasha success, and this results in John Travolta getting a door slammed in his face and John Candy being blown up. Candy's appearance is as part of the spy subplot which is too convoluted to try to explain. There's also Andrea Martin and John Calvin as the overly friendly next-door neighbors that Kellerman and Thomas are given upon their acceptance as US citizens, and they chew have a secret identity. Only a certain older woman with a voice surprisingly like Natasha's manages to escape, and it's June Foray Who provided the voice of Natasha in the original comic strip more than 30 years before. Still attractive, for a steals the brief moment she is on screen.
Since the quality of the film surrounds Kellerman and not the script or the mess of a story, it's best to keep an eye on the outrageous outfits she wears and the campy situations she gets herself involved in. Kellerman, with that delightful breathy voice, deserved a bigger career then she ended up with, and in one of her few leaves this one laid in her career, she easily walks off with the film. Christopher name as fearless leader is also excellent, and Alex Rocco as the American CIA agent keeping an eye on Boris and Natasha, is appropriately stuffy. Anthony Newley has a cameo as Natasha's photographer, and hairstylist to the stars Jose Eber appears as himself. The "in jokes" makes this instantly dated, but those of us who remember that time will enjoy them. Others will look at the screen, then their friend, and ask, "Huh?"
The premise has Boris and Natasha defecting from Pottsylvania as a part of a plot by "Fearless Leader" to rid himself of his two most incompetent spies as part of his own secret mission, searching for a secret microchip. His scheme goes amok when somehow Natasha ends up as a top model whose short hairstyle influences famous movie stars (initial M.S.) to change their own style, a sight gag making fun of a recent melodramatic movie. Boris is jealous of Natasha success, and this results in John Travolta getting a door slammed in his face and John Candy being blown up. Candy's appearance is as part of the spy subplot which is too convoluted to try to explain. There's also Andrea Martin and John Calvin as the overly friendly next-door neighbors that Kellerman and Thomas are given upon their acceptance as US citizens, and they chew have a secret identity. Only a certain older woman with a voice surprisingly like Natasha's manages to escape, and it's June Foray Who provided the voice of Natasha in the original comic strip more than 30 years before. Still attractive, for a steals the brief moment she is on screen.
Since the quality of the film surrounds Kellerman and not the script or the mess of a story, it's best to keep an eye on the outrageous outfits she wears and the campy situations she gets herself involved in. Kellerman, with that delightful breathy voice, deserved a bigger career then she ended up with, and in one of her few leaves this one laid in her career, she easily walks off with the film. Christopher name as fearless leader is also excellent, and Alex Rocco as the American CIA agent keeping an eye on Boris and Natasha, is appropriately stuffy. Anthony Newley has a cameo as Natasha's photographer, and hairstylist to the stars Jose Eber appears as himself. The "in jokes" makes this instantly dated, but those of us who remember that time will enjoy them. Others will look at the screen, then their friend, and ask, "Huh?"