First broadcast 11th October 1962 Plot On holiday in Rome, Simon is witness to the kidnap of a US diplomat’s daughter. A mafia man, Tony Unciello, is responsible. His brother is about the be executed in the US and Governor Inverest has the power to stop it. Guest stars Alexander Knox plays the governor and …
The prospect of watching all of The Saint is daunting – there are 118 episodes. In recent years I have discovered more ITC shows, but I have always had a fondness for The Saint and am looking forward to spending more time with him again. Simon Templar travels the world, either being called upon or simply stumbling into trouble as …
There is something lovely about looking at what was on telly 50 years ago today. It’s that nice round number – 49, or 51 just won’t do quite so nicely. I’ve been doing this for a couple of years now. Although I was already interested in a few programmes, an enormous influence on me delving …
Episode 13 – Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darling First ITV broadcast: Friday 22nd December 1967, 7.30pm [ATV Midlands/Grampian] Estimated first run ratings: 7.3 million First CBS broadcast: Saturday 3rd August 1968, 7.30pm From the very beginning this episode is different as we have a pre-titles sequence, instead of going straight into the usual title …
There has been an unplanned extended break at Visual Mutterings. I was rather busy and then I got a new job so I have been even busier. But I was missing Number Six so I finally found the time to get back to the Village via a raft, a boat, a wooden box and a …
Episode 11 – It’s Your Funeral First ITV broadcast: Friday 8th December 1967, 7.30pm [ATV Midlands/Grampian] Estimated first run ratings: 9.3 million First CBS broadcast: Saturday 10th August 1968, 7.30pm The new Number Two looks like a Thunderbirds‘ character. He doesn’t look like a real person. I spent the entire episode doubting his ability to …
Episode 10: Hammer Into Anvil First ITV broadcast: Friday 1st December 1967, 7.30pm [ATV Midlands/Grampian] Estimated first run ratings: 9.1 million First CBS broadcast: Saturday 31st August 1968, 7.30pm This episode is a rare example of Number Six getting one over Number Two and the Village. I have written before about ‘little victories’, little acts …
Episode 9: Checkmate First ITV broadcast: Friday 24th November 1967, 7.30pm [ATV Midlands/Granada] Estimated first run ratings: 9.1 million First CBS broadcast: Saturday 17th August 1968, 7.30pm The episode begins with an aggressive roar from Rover as it rolls through the Village. Everyone stops completely still, apart from one man (George Coulouris). Number Six notices …
Episode 8: Dance of the Dead First ITV broadcast: Friday 17th November 1967, 7.30pm [ATV Midlands/Grampian] Estimated first run ratings: 9.1 million First CBS broadcast: Saturday 27th July 1968, 7.30pm For the first time, Number Two speaking in the title sequence is a woman. We have had a couple of female Number Two’s so far. …
Episode 7: Many Happy Returns First ITV broadcast: Friday 10th November 1967, 7.30pm [ATV Midlands/Grampian] Estimated first run ratings: 10.3 million First CBS broadcast: Saturday 20th July 1968, 7.30pm This episode goes for over 20 minutes without a single English word being spoken on screen. The episode is over half way through before we get …
So far I have not discussed what episode order The Prisoner should be viewed in. The most important thing to say about this is that it seems no one can agree on it. It should not be viewed in production order and it should not be viewed in broadcast order, apart from the first episode …
Episode 5: The Schizoid Man First ITV broadcast: Friday 27th October 1967, 7.30pm (ATV Midlands/Grampian) Estimated first run ratings: 11.7 million First CBS broadcast: Saturday 6th July 1968, 7.30pm Pay attention. It’s going to get complicated. There have been many Number Twos but there is only one Number Six. “I am a person” Number Six …
Episode 4: Free For All First ITV broadcast: Friday 20th October 1967, 7.30pm (ATV Midlands/Grampian) Estimated first run ratings: 11.1 million First CBS broadcast: Saturday 29th June 1968, 7.30pm There is an election on and Number Six is one of the candidates.We have got to know a bit about the Village now and it seems …
Episode 3: A. B. and C. This episode focuses around dream sequences and I really enjoyed it. It certainly feels very different and I think a lot of that is down to the action taking place away from the Village. It gives everything a very different mood. Throughout this episode we are reminded that Number …
Episode 2: The Chimes of Big Ben Looking back at it there was a lot that the script had to do in ‘Arrival’. It sets up the whole premise of the show, takes us round the Village, shows us how it works, and then manages to squeeze in a plotline as well. In comparison the …
In 2005 as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations ITV made a programme counting down its 50 greatest shows. One of the shows featured was The Prisoner. It caught my attention because it looked exciting and the phrase “I am not a number. I am a free man” was imprinted upon my young mind forevermore. …