Cinema & The Arts as Sermons: British TV Classic "The Avengers"
Television in the 1960's was unique in that it was limited and therefore allowed the talents involved in writing and directing to hone their skills.
I remember watching "The Avengers" and wanting to be like John Steed when I grew up. Well I did not become like John Steed but the TV show is a classic in many ways. I hope you enjoy this blast from the past.
The Avengers TV Intro - Season 5 - 1966
Video from VIDEOBEAT dotCOM
"TV doesn't get any cooler than this, does it? Wow! UK TV series The Avengers Season 5 was the first in color and broadcast in the US. There were several female co-stars but Diana Rigg as Emma Peel is a classic! In fact, she was the inspiration for the look of the go-go girl our homepage: http://www.thevideobeat.com/' from video introduction
Looking Back at The Avengers (the TV Series)
"Stylish crime fighting, despicable evil masterminds, a bowler-hatted old Etonian gentleman spy, and a series of beautiful leather cat-suited, kinky-booted, no-nonsense heroines. The Avengers had all this and more. What began as a monochrome tape series in January 1961 ran the whole of the 1960s, becoming a colourful slice of period hokum, full of flair, wit and sophistication, yet with its tongue firmly in its cheek. Always the perfect gentleman, John Steed was played by Patrick Macnee. Originally billed second to the late Ian Hendry, Macnee was still playing Steed over 15 years later when he was teamed with the youthful duo of Joanna Lumley and Gareth Hunt for The New Avengers in 1976. In the 1998 film, the role of Steed was given to Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman played Emma Peel. I will say no more about the film. We will be looking back at the original landmark ’60s drama. From a geek point of view, the last four seasons are, arguably, the most interesting. But let’s start at the beginning and put pay to one of the series’ biggest myths. Creation and Early Years Contrary to popular folklore, The Avengers, which began on January 7 1961, has no real link to Police Surgeon, which was a short-lived series broadcast on ITV in the autumn of 1960. Police Surgeon, which starred Ian Hendry as Dr. Geoffrey Brent, was cancelled after a poor public reception, although viewers had expressed an appreciation for Hendry himself. The creator of The Avengers was Sydney Newman (who would later initiate Doctor Who for the BBC – indeed, Who shared many of The Avengers’ writers: Terry Nation, John Lucarotti, Dennis Spooner, Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks – to name but five). Having also created Police Surgeon, Newman wanted to give Hendry a better star vehicle. In the new show, Ian Hendry played Dr David Keel, avenging the murder of his fiancee Peggy (Catherine Woodville) in the first episode, “Hot Snow,” with the help of a slightly enigmatic character in a raincoat called John Steed. The two men were later assisted by a nurse – Carol Wilson – played by Ingrid Hafner, who had also appeared in Police Surgeon. Five months into the first season, the episode “The Frighteners” saw John Steed develop a taste for Savile Row tailoring and Macnee cultivated a more gentlemanly approach to match. The raincoat was replaced by a well cut, three-piece suit. Sydney Newman felt the character needed better definition to counterbalance Ian Hendry’s more downbeat approach and thought Patrick needed to smarten up his image. Macnee remembered the attire of his father, a well dressed racehorse trainer in the 1930s and also took inspiration from the dandified (yet still shadowy) figure of the Scarlet Pimpernel. He reworked the character’s whole appearance, with extremely satisfying results. Steed’s new ensemble undoubtedly influenced Adam Adamant, played by Gerald Harper (in the Verity Lambert produced BBC homage to the series) and in part set a template for Jon Pertwee’s dandy characterisation and vintage vehicle loving third Doctor Who.." from the article: Looking Back at The Avengers (the TV Series)
Diana Rigg | Interview | The Avengers | Good Afternoon | 1974 | Part one
Video from ThamesTv
"Part 1 'Good Afternoon' presenter Mary Parkinson chats with Diana Rigg, star of Screen, stage and the hugely popular TV show 'The Avengers' First shown: 02/09/1974 To license a clip please e mail: archive@fremantle.com Quote: VT9728." from video introduction
Diana Rigg, Stylish Emma Peel of ‘The Avengers,’ Dies at 82
"Diana Rigg, the British actress who enthralled London and New York theater audiences with her performances in classic roles for more than a half-century but remained best known as the quintessential new woman of the 1960s — sexy, confident, witty and karate-adept — on the television series “The Avengers,” died on Thursday at her home in London. She was 82.
Her daughter, Rachael Stirling, said in a statement that the cause was cancer.
Ms. Rigg had late-career success in a recurring role, from 2013 to 2016, as the outspoken and demanding Lady Olenna Tyrell on HBO’s acclaimed series “Game of Thrones.” “I wonder if you’re the worst person I ever met,” Lady Olenna once said to her nemesis Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey). “At a certain age, it’s hard to recall.”.." from the article: Diana Rigg, Stylish Emma Peel of ‘The Avengers,’ Dies at 82
Patrick Macnee interview - The Mystery Channel
Video from Have You Seen This?
"An all-too-brief interview with Patrick Macnee in which he discusses the early days of "The Avengers," his entree into the series and it's lasting appeal. I forget when this segment aired, perhaps the mid to late 1990's. The interview is peppered with clips from the series, featuring Patrick Mcnee, Ian Hendry, Honor Blackman, Diana Rigg and Linda Thorson." from video introduction
Avengers Star Patrick Macnee Dies
26June2015 Actor Patrick Macnee, star of The Avengers TV series, has died in California at the age of 93.
The Briton, best known for playing John Steed in the 1960s television spy show, died at home with his family at his bedside, his son Rupert said.
Macnee, who served in the Royal Navy during World War Two, also played roles in theatre, appearing on Broadway.
Avengers co-star Dame Diana Rigg paid tribute, saying: "Patrick was a very dear man and I owe him a great deal".
A statement on Mcnee's website read: "Wherever he went, he left behind a trove of memories."
He died peacefully at his home in California's Rancho Mirage on Thursday, Rupert said.." from the article: Avengers Star Patrick Macnee Dies