Jason King - Episodes 1 & 2 [DVD] [1971]

Although crime-writer-turned-detective Jason King, as played by the deep-voiced Peter Wyngarde, was the star supporting character of the 1969-70 series Department S, he seemed rather diminished when given a show of his own, thus robbing him of the straight characters necessary to show off his flamboyance. Jason King also ditched the impossible mysteries of the parent series in favour of more ordinary puzzles that the Saint or any other two-fisted hero could have solved without having to spend so much on fabulous fashion gear. That said, Wyngarde is well-matched by his foils, the value-for-money hams Dennis Price and Ronald Lacey, as the government agents who forced Jason to catch villains for them by threatening to turn him in for failing to pay his back taxes on the earnings of his bestsellers. Jason King was also the only hero on television who would take any brutal beating from the bad guys and shrug it off, only to become quite agitated when they threatened to slice his suits to bits.

Volume One includes: "Wanna Buy a Television Series", in which Jason pitches a series based on his books, with guest star Anna Palk; and "A Page Before Dying" wherein Jason's latest book gives away spy secrets, and he's kidnapped to East Germany. --Kim Newman

4:3 Full Frame
DVD 5
English
English
Region 2
Mono English
Mono
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Character Biographies
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With Jason King anything can happen - and usually does. The flamboyant novelist who engages in crime investigation is always in search of ideas for his next best-seller, leading him directly into the thick of mystery and espionage. Putting his life on the line and indulging in many pleasures along the way, Jason King is the danger diplomat with nerves of steel.

Episode 1: Wanna Buy a Television Series? Episode 2: A Page Before Dying