Argoman, The Fantastic Superman (1967)

Argoman, The Fantastic Superman was a relatively early entry in Italy's cycle of fumetti-inspired superhero films.  While several, like Danger Diabolik, Kriminal or Satanik were derived from specific fumettis, others, like Argoman or The Three Fantastic Supermen, were original creations, drawing upon the tropes and style of the comic strips.  Argoman faces the same problem as many of the other Italian superhero films in that its resources simply don't match its ambitions.  Which isn't to say that it isn't stylish or entertaining.  It is just that it never really rises above being an upmarket B-movie.  Owing as much to the Eurospy films, which were beginning to run out steam, as it does to superhero comics, Argoman features the sort of convoluted caper plot, involving a super-villain trying to steal the Crown Jewels, (although this turns out to be part of a bigger plot to obtain a perfect jewel which can be used to create clones of world leaders), you might expect to find in a James Bons film.

Indeed, Argoman himself turns out to be the superhero alter ego of British knight of the realm Sir Reginald Hooper.  Hooper/Argoman seems to be some kind of freelance super trouble shooter, starting the film working for the Soviets to destroy a Chinese bomb, (but almost being double crossed by the Soviets when he tries to get paid).  In contrast to the likes of the Three Supermen, who derive their powers from their suits, Argoman does possess some actual superpowers, (apart from being very athletic), being able to remotely influence physical objects via telekinesis and possessing X-ray vision.  He also has a unique weakness - he loses his powers for six hours after having sex with a woman.  Needless to say, the film's main villain is female.  Argoman/Sir Reginald is portrayed by Roger Browne, one of the less well remembered American and British actors who made careers in European films during the sixties and seventies.  While not as well remembered as, say, Steve Reeves, Reg Park or Gordon Mitchell, who also started in peplum pictures, Browne's voice can be heard extensively in Italian exploitation films, as he eventually became one of the most prolific voice artists for their English language versions.  (He was president of the English Language Dubbers Association for a while). 

Ultimately, as the trailer indicates, Argoman is really a slicker, more stylish version of the cinema serials turned out by the likes of Republic during the thirties and forties.  It even features a rickety looking robot of the type that frequently menaced women in such productions - women strapped to tables in psychedelically decorated secret labs.  For the record, director 'Terence Hathaway' was actually veteran exploitation director Sergio Grieco.