Three Bites of the Apple DVD Stars David McCallum

Category: Blu-ray's and DVD's

“Three Bites of the Apple” is a 1967 comedy starring David McCallum who was having a career surge with his role as Illya Kuryakin in the TV series “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” (1964-1968). McCallum plays Stanley Thrumm, a tour guide that finds himself in a sticky situation.

 

Thrumm is a mild-mannered man with scruples. When he “accidentally” wins a large amount of money at a casino in Italy, his life changes dramatically, but not in the way you would think. Carla Moretti (Sylva Koscina) has her eye on him in the casino, but not because he is attractive. She is a thief and sets him up as her mark, with the help of her ex-husband.

 

Carla manages to capture Stanley’s attention and his heart. But all the while they are seeing each other she is plotting her move. How will she separate Stanley from the money? While Stanley is falling in love with this seemingly sweet woman, she is thinking about nothing more than the payoff, which is enormous.

 

This story is somewhat simplistic, but typical for the time in which it was produced. Perhaps the best scene is the one in the casino when Stanley’s chips inadvertently land on the winning number at the roulette table. Not wanting to keep the money he won because he had no intention of gambling and it was a fluke that his chips landed where they did, he decides to leave all the chips on the same number. After all, the odds of that number coming up twice in a row are high. But it does. And it does again. While his chips and winnings are piling up, he decides to take the money and get out of there.

 

Harvey Korman plays one of the tourists on Stanley’s tour, and Tammy Grimes plays another tourist who has her eye on Stanley.

 

The movie was filmed on location in Italy and the scenery is spectacular. Pay attention to the song “In the Garden Under the Tree” playing during the opening credits. It is sung by McCallum.

 

David McCallum began his acting career long before U.N.C.L.E. propelled him into the consciousness of American audiences. Currently he co-stars in the hit TV series “NCIS.”

 

“Three Bites of the Apple” isn’t the best movie, but fans of the actor will undoubtedly enjoy seeing him in this role. It is part of the Warner Archive Collection and can be ordered at www.wbshop.com.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for over 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 15 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book,  Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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