The Golden Head

Largely unseen since its original theatrical release in 1965, and almost never shown in the U.S., The Golden Head is somewhat of a Cinerama mystery, not only in its "Emil and the Detectives"-style plot, but in its history as a unique, multi-national, and nearly "lost" widescreen wonder.

A British-Hungarian-American production, the film takes place in and around Budapest, and follows the adventures of the Stevenson children: Milly, Michael, and Harold. In Hungary with their father, a British inspector attending an international convention of criminal investigators, the kids stumble upon a plot hatched by two thieves (Buddy Hackett, in his first role since the success of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, and George Sanders), to steal the golden bust of Saint László from the Cathedral of Gyór and smuggle it out of the country. The Stevenson trio trails the thieves through Budapest and beyond in what amounts to a widescreen tour of the culture and landmarks of Hungary, highlighted by crazy chase scenes of earthy humor and elements of slapstick comedy.