Michael Caine was on the verge of international fame when Merv Griffin interviewed him in the summer of 1965.

Caine had just starred as Harry Palmer in The IPCRESS File, which was based on the best selling Cold War thriller by Len Deighton. The book had been hip and popular, leading LIFE magazine to claim:

“Next, big soft girls will read Len Deighton aloud in jazz workshops…”

While Sean Connery was dominating the box office with James Bond, The IPCRESS File offered a supposedly more “realistic” take on the world of spies, or as Michael Caine explained to Griffin:

“James Bond is Clark Kent after he says ‘Shazam!’ he is Superman. Real spies are Clark Kent all the time.”

The IPCRESS File would make Caine famous. Well, you know you’ve made it when the Milton Bradley Games company makes a board game featuring your likeness:

A suspense / espionage game modeled after the popular 1965 British espionage film starring Michael Caine as “Harry Palmer, the cool British agent,” and Len Deighton’s 1962 novel, “The IPCRESS File.”

* For 2 to 4 players
* For ages 10 to adult
* Object: Get the “Double Agent” before he gets you
* Average play time 25 minutes.

Now, who wouldn’t want a game like this?
 

 

 

 

 
Previously on Dangerous Minds
Michael Caine: Behind the scenes of ‘Funeral in Berlin’
 
H/T Permission to Kill