Saturday, December 18, 2021

YOU KNEW MY NAME: THE BOND NOT BOND BLOGATHON - The Persuaders! (Greensleeves), 1971

 

Gill at Realweegiemidget Reviews and Gabriela at Pale Writer are co-hosting the unique The Bond Not Bond Blogathon. When not attached to Ian Fleming's legendary agent, there are a variety of performances and movies to enjoy with many actors who brought him to life. Click HERE to begin the journey. The DAY 2 lineup. The DAY 3 lineup. BONUS.

Debonair Roger Moore portrayed debonair James Bond from 1973 to 1985. Prior to that, he played the equally heroic, debonair, and charming Beau Maverick on Maverick, 1960-1961, Leslie Charteris's Simon Templar on The Saint, 1962-1969, and the dashing and well-dressed Lord Brett Sinclair on The Persuaders!, 1971-1972. Ah, he had a way about him did the unflappable Roger Moore.



The Persuaders! was an international television hit produced by ITC Entertainment, Sir Lew Grade, and co-star Roger Moore. One season of 24 episodes was released during the 1971-1972 season. The best way to describe the premise of the action/adventure series starring Roger Moore and Tony Curtis as playboy crimefighters Lord Brett Sinclair and Danny (Daniel) Wilde is to watch the impressive and addictive opening HERE with its theme by John Barry.



Episode 4, October 8, 1971

Screenplay by Terence Feely and Directed by David Green



Lord Sinclair's Old School Motto: "Sneaky is best."

The Sinclair family manse has been undergoing unauthorized renovations. Lord Brett becomes aware of this development when an overcharge comes his way. It has been seven years since Lord B. packed up and left the old place in charge of the butler Moorehead (Arthur Brough). What's going on? Brett and Daniel (Danny) use a tunnel that has one end at the local pub and the other into the middle of the estate to surreptitiously enter the home and investigate.



Theatrical agent: "Have you ever played a Lord?"

The home is occupied by Sir John Hassocks (Andrew Keir), Piers Emerson (Tom Adams), and the fetching Melanie Sadler (Rosemarie Nicols). Note: you cannot have an episode of The Persuaders! without a fetching young woman or two.

Papers in the study reveal that this group of usurpers is looking for an actor to play the role of Lord Brett Sinclair. Why, it's a role just made for Lord Brett Sinclair, who hies himself to the preferred theatrical agent of crooks to gain entry to his own home.



Roger Moore, Rosemary Nicols, Arthur Brough, Tom Adams, Andrew Keir

The group hems and haws and makes many cutting remarks about the actor's unsuitability but Moorehead seals the deal because he knows the real thing when it is presented to him. Moorehead also knows, in the best butler tradition, when to keep his mouth shut.


Brett: "Actors are like politicians. We say what we're paid to say."

The phony Brett insists on being told what is going on. The story laid out is that Lord Sinclair, having allowed the Foreign Office to use the mansion for secret talks with Richard Congoto (Cy Grant), the president of an African country and schoolboy chum of Lord Sinclair, said Lord scarpered and left the old F.O. in the lurch. Since President Congoto only agreed to the talks because of the presence of his old pal, a stand-in is required.


Moorehead: "I have noticed a certain undercurrent of intrigue, My Lord."

The actor accepts the story and settles in to studying the role. Brett instructs the already suspicious Moorehead to create a family emergency to get out of the house and to bring a message to his replacement who happens to be Danny aka the American fellow staying at the pub. Moorehead, in the best tradition of butlers, knows when to leak necessary information and advises Lord Brett that the others on the staff are "heeled". In other words, too well-armed for their professed business.



Roger Moore, Tony Curtis

Lord Sinclair is unimpressed with Moorehead's replacement Gregor from Hungary and advises him to wash off excessive aftershave if he wants to keep this choice position. Also, he had better keep his references handy.



Cy Grant, Roger Moore

Brett confides the dangerous and duplicitous situation to his pal Richard. They must be wary and remember their old school motto.



Carmen Munroe, Tony Curtis

Danny cannot fool Carmen the aristocratic daughter of Richard Congoto about his being a butler or Hungarian. He confides the dangerous and duplicitous situation in which they find themselves.



The jig is up!

I ask you, is it proper to conk a Lord on the head when he is dressing for dinner? I ask you, is it proper to toss a Lord in a dungeon in his own home? That's the sort of people we're dealing with!



Cy Grant, Carmen Munroe, Tom Adams, Clifton Jones, Andrew Keir

The sneaks are not politically motivated. It is all about money with them. Including the trusted Dr. Kibu (Clifton Jones), they represent a consortium of nickel miners and Congoto is the president of a nickel-rich country.

The bandits are determined to get more than their fair share of profits. They use threats of blackmail and even murder to reach their goal. These are not nice people. (See above conking on the head of Lord Brett.)


Adventure and action sequence to wrap up the episode in a tidy fashion.


Danny faces off against one of the henchmen with the handy swords littering the old homestead. Lots of fun to be had here, reminiscent of The Great Race.


Brett gets bashed and bopped up and down the stairs and into walls and portraits, and has himself a fine old time.


The aftermath of the fight is that no one, except Melanie, appears to be left unscathed. However, bruised and battered though they may be, our boys wind up the winners!



Cy Grant, Carmen Munroe

Richard: "That's the trouble with these English Country House parties, nothing ever happens."



Rosemary Nicols, Roger Moore

Daniel is banished to the tunnels so Lord Brett can have some quiet time with the fetching Melanie. After all, she did draw the line at murder. Note: the inclusion of a fetching girl in episodes is necessary for the episode ending clinch.


Fashionistas take note:














28 comments:

  1. Thanks for bringing the unflappable clothes designer and actor Roger Moore to our blogathon with this fabulous post. This does sound a fun episode and your pictures are compelling me to watch this one. Thanks for joining Paddy xx

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    1. My pleasure, Gill. Luckily, I found this on YouTube and recalled it as a long ago fave. It really is fun and holds up very well as an example of one of the best of the series.

      Delete
  2. Hi Patricia! Bravo, I am so glad you picked my favorite Bond to feature in your post! I grew up with Sir Roger and find him the most sophisticated and distinguished of all the 007s. I love The Persuaders too (Tony Curtis is a hoot) as well as Moore's wonderful run as The Saint.
    Merry merry and happy new year!!
    -Chris

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    1. Thanks a lot, Chris. I had fun revisiting this sophisticated but doesn't take itself too seriously show.

      All the best for Christmas, and may we meet in a new year suitable for enjoying!

      Delete
  3. A very stylish fun series with superb chemistry between the two leads. Apparently Tony Curtis was a nightmare to work with (Roger Moore was the only person who could get along with him) but once the cameras rolled he delivered the goods. He was born to play Danny Wilde.

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    Replies
    1. I agree. The combination of these actors/characters made for delightful television.

      Delete
  4. This sounds like a fun show!! Looks like he could use a haircut though lol. I watched a few episodes of The Saint earlier this year and really liked it.

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    Replies
    1. The Saint was among the shows I watched on YouTube while in the hospital earlier this year. I hadn't seen it in ages and still haven't been able to get the theme out of my head.

      It must take a lot of work to get that nonchalant vibe in a series but it is totally worth it.

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  5. The Persuaders was an inconsistent series, though I watched it weekly. I think better writing might have helped, as the premise was fun enough and the stars appeared to be game. The series' clever opening and the John Barry theme were certainly first-rate.

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    1. It might have hit a more consistent stride if it had continued, but logistically and certainly career wise for Moore, the program worked out the way it was meant to.

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  6. The required 70s long hair. Groovey. Roger Moore reminds me of Cary Grant, no matter old he got, he always was handome and debonior and looked about 40. Tony Curtis is only 2 years older. But...

    I can remember "The Saint" because it came on TV reruns in 70s. I usually changed the channel after the halo appeared because I was more interested in kids stuff and that was an "adult" program. But I always loved the halo and the music.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Do-doodle-dee-doo-doo-doo ...

      I would watch The Saint in the late 1960s. Loved the opening. Liked that lead guy but was often confused by the goings on. Would never miss the opening though!

      Delete
  7. Your post is a lot of fun, and the series sounds like a lot of fun, too. I don't think I had never heard of it before.

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    Replies
    1. There's always something new in the land of old. I'm pleased you had fun reading about the show/episode.

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  8. I grew up watching The Saint, but never had a chance to watch this TV show. It sounds like something I would like. Great review!

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    1. Thanks. The Persuaders! had a lot going for it with its leading players and exotic settings.

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  9. MERRY CHRISTMAS! How are you and your family? Is JANET still doing animation? CLASSIC TV FAN

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    1. A very Merry Christmas to you!

      I am a bit slower than I used to be but recuperation is coming along. Luckily, Janet's animation career is going strong which is especially good news in this work-from-home era. The family, following pandemic protocol guidelines is getting together this Christmas. Our special needs son is particularly excited by the prospect.

      Wishing you all the best in the New Year.

      Delete
  10. Speaking of TONY CURTIS his ex-wife JANET LEIGH was in a classic black and white movie that aired on TCM last week. It was my favorite BOB MITCHUM movie-HOLIDAY AFFAIR. I've mentioned the movie before. I've seen it in its entirety twice in the 80s. First I saw it on USA and then AMC (without commercials). I always remember that Bob's name in the movie is STEVE MASON and Janet's name is CONNIE ENNIS. I've seen parts of the movie countless times since then. CLASSIC TV FAN

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I think Holiday Affair is a beautiful movie. The screenwriter is a favourite of mine, Isobel Lennart, and she says a lot of truthful things about relationships.

      Happy New Year!

      Delete
  11. I recall seeing a couple of episodes of The Persuaders when it was first broadcast, but I don't remember specifics except that Tony Curtis was the "comedy relief" half of the team. To bring the Bond connection full circle, Tom Adams, who appeared in this episode, did a fairly good tongue-in-cheek imitation of James Bond (as secret agent Charles Vine) in three knock-off films in the '60s, starting with The 2nd Best Secret Agent in the Whole Wide World (1965).

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    1. Thanks for the "full circle" information. I love the small world of our movies!

      Happy New Year!

      Delete
  12. I never would've thought to pair Roger Moore with Tony Curtis, but it sounds like a brilliant choice. I've got to see this series!

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    1. It is a lot of fun! So many shows are so dark these days, it is nice to remember "fun."

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  13. This looks fun--Moore looked like he was having a good time.

    ReplyDelete
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  15. i have all dvd,s from the persuaders,and it is like a time machine for me,when i enjoy every month,day or weekends some storys with danny tony curtis and roger moore lord brett sinclair.and i drink like in the first story creols cream coctail drink,like roger moore discribte to the barmixer,rum angostura bitter,grenada juice,zitrone,tonik soda,iced,shaked and serve with topping 1 olive or 2 olive,i get 3 olive.yes and then i am live in the good 70,is.and i feel good an verry cofortable.for me is the best nice elegante tv-series in my live.

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