Watching Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round

It’s no secret I love a good film screening. Put me in a theatre with some classic on the screen and I’m pretty much in heaven. So when KCET invited me to the Aero for a screening of Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round starring James Coburn it was a no brainer.

The film was screened as part of the KCET Cinema Series – a regular Aero event that presents previews of upcoming films along with discussions with the talent involved. Each series ends with a screening of a James Coburn film as the James and Paula Coburn foundation is a series sponsor.

I must admit, my previous familiarity with Mr. Coburn’s work was limited to his role as Mr. Waternoose in Monsters, Inc. That’s not to say I wasn’t aware of the actor – I certainly knew who he was – but I simply hadn’t seen his work. I have to admit his era of dominance (the late 1960’s to 1970’s) is a cinematic weak point of mind. Therefore, I was particularly interested in seeing one of his breakthrough roles.

Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round was released in 1966 and co-starred Camilla Sparv, Aldo Ray and Rose Marie. It was produced by Carter DeHaven who happened to introduce our screening and provide insight into how the film came to be.

After working for years as an assistant director Mr. DeHaven decided what he really wanted to do was produce. He quite his job at Universal and set to work on his first feature, Eli Kotch. Making it at Columbia Pictures he decided James Coburn would be great in the title role but ran into trouble when he gave his suggestion to infamous studio boss Harry Cohn who didn’t want Coburn in the lead. Incidentally, he also wasn’t fond of the title so DeHaven struck a deal with him. Let him hire Coburn and he would change the name. Cohn agreed and Eli Kotch became Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round.

In addition to giving Coburn one of his breakthrough roles Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round also marked the film debut of a certain future star.

Yup, that’s Harrison Ford playing a bell boy in a short scene.

In addition to providing the screen debut of Han Solo Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round was also the first film to prominently feature LAX. Serving as a key location in the plot much of the principle photography took place there.

So what exactly is the plot of Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round? You see, Eli Kotch is a con man recently paroled from prison. Instead of turning over a new leaf his first thought upon his release is to pull off the next heist. It just so happens the Russian Premier is set to visit LA and will first arrive at LAX. All the hubub surrounding the visit will leave the onsite bank (yes, there is a bank at LAX) a sitting duck. So Kotch assembles a team to pull of his biggest heist yet.

The film is at times suspenseful and comical. James Coburn is perfect in the role of a smooth talking con man who pretty much gets everything he wants. The settings are mid-century perfection and LAX has never looked better. But, the movie is very much of its time which means the women of the film are treated…poorly. Much of the plot revolved around Coburn bedding several dim women in order to get to their bosses’ fortunes. Many of these women are as dumb as a post and can’t seem to resist the charms of Coburn’s may aliases. No matter how bad his French accent or how corny his poetry is they’re just putty in his arms. Oh, brother.

Despite the films shortcomings I still had a fun time at the screening. I really enjoyed listening to Mr. DeHaven’s talk and am glad I’m a bit more familiar with the work of James Coburn. I’m excited to see what screens next at the KCET Cinema Series.