The Definitive Secret Agent, 23 Mar 2001

Smoother than "The Saint", harder than John Steed, more professional than James Bond. This was Patrick McGoohan's first foray into Cult Tv before the legendary "Prisoner" series.

For an early 60's spy 'n' scuffle show, there is an almost documentary feel and the half hour format ensure the pace is breakneck. Drake is the consumate undercover man, a lone wolf operation for NATO (later British) intelligence. Naturally there are gadgets, but these are far more realistic and believable than the fantasy of 007.

Set back and enjoy THE 60's spy serial

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A LUCKY BREAK, 22 Jan 2004

By	The BlackFerret "Steve The BlackFerret" (Plymouth UK) - See all my reviews

First broadcast in Autumn 1960, this is the start of a consumate TV program that has lasted staggeringly well. The original 39 episodes begin with this set and share several winning ways:-

a) Half-Hour long:-no fannying about, thank you! The story has to be concluded in that time, so things move fast. Your bladder can stand the necessary cuppa beforehand, as you can't leave it midway, without missing something! Despite only having 30 mins, plot and character devbelopment are not inconsequental. Ok, it isn't Dostoeyevsky, but it ain't Micky Spillane, either!!

b) The Original theme music:-far more brassy and portentious than the later version for the one-hour shows-it just fits the whole concept so much better-dododo,dododo,dodododo do -dodododo etc. You'll soon remember it if you're old enough & if not, you'll soon enjoy it!!

c) Solid supporting cast-last night(episode 7), we had Lois Maxwell(original Bond Miss MoneyPenny) & Donald Pleasance with Patrick McGoohan-welcome guests, too, with the dessert and coffee. None of those dreadful old series habits here, either, ie extras standing around like lost sheep rhubarbing in the background or people fluffing their lines and the director being too idle to reshoot!!

d) The Opening and Closing Titles-grainy black and white, start and end, of McGoohan getting into his car at the start in front of a London Skyscraper purporting to be NATO HQ and finishing with atmospheric even granier shots of the same office block at night with all the lights on-see, it even inspired Andy Warhol to make Empire State!!

e) Patrick McGoohan:-before he became self-indulgent, he was a gloriously good actor-combining here an elegant charm with a fist of steel, a brooding matinee idol you suspected MIGHT just develop a huge twitch to an eyebrow or punch your lights out if you didn't play the game correctly!!

Well, there's 5 good reasons for indulging in a TRUE entertainments package-apart from it being one of the most influential TV series ever AND putting everything else that imitated or learnt from it in the shade! Time YOU indulged yourself, don't you think??

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