"The Avengers" (1961) TV series 1961-1969

Creator:

Sydney Newman
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

28 March 1966 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

A quirky spy show of the adventures of an eccentricly suave British agent and his predominately female partners.

Plot Keywords:

John Steed | Agent | British | Partner | Secret Agent

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win

Cast

Patrick Macnee

...

John Steed / ... (159 episodes, 1961-1969)

Series Directed by
Don Leaver		(20 episodes, 1961-1966)
Peter Hammond		(18 episodes, 1961-1964)
Kim Mills		(10 episodes, 1962-1964)
Sidney Hayers		(9 episodes, 1965-1967)
Robert Fuest		(8 episodes, 1961-1969)
Roy Ward Baker		(8 episodes, 1965-1968)
Jonathan Alwyn		(7 episodes, 1962-1964)
Richmond Harding		(7 episodes, 1962-1963)
Bill Bain		(7 episodes, 1963-1966)
James Hill		(7 episodes, 1965-1968)
Robert Day		(6 episodes, 1967)
Charles Crichton		(5 episodes, 1965-1969)
Don Chaffey		(5 episodes, 1968-1969)
John Hough		(4 episodes, 1968-1969)
Laurence Bourne		(3 episodes, 1964)
Peter Graham Scott		(3 episodes, 1965-1966)
Robert Asher		(3 episodes, 1967)
John Krish		(3 episodes, 1967)
Don Sharp		(3 episodes, 1968)
Roger Jenkins		(2 episodes, 1961)
John Knight		(2 episodes, 1961)
Raymond Menmuir		(2 episodes, 1963)
Gerry O'Hara		(2 episodes, 1965-1966)
Gordon Flemyng		(2 episodes, 1967)
Peter Sykes		(2 episodes, 1968-1969)
Ray Austin		(2 episodes, 1968)
Leslie Norman		(2 episodes, 1969)

Series Writing credits
Brian Clemens		(32 episodes, 1961-1969)
Philip Levene		(20 episodes, 1965-1968)
Roger Marshall		(15 episodes, 1962-1967)
Malcolm Hulke		(9 episodes, 1962-1969)
Tony Williamson		(9 episodes, 1965-1969)
Eric Paice		(8 episodes, 1961-1964)
Martin Woodhouse		(7 episodes, 1962-1966)
Terry Nation		(6 episodes, 1968-1969)
Richard Harris		(5 episodes, 1961-1969)
John Lucarotti		(5 episodes, 1961-1965)
James Mitchell		(5 episodes, 1961-1963)
Jeremy Burnham		(5 episodes, 1968-1969)
Dennis Spooner		(4 episodes, 1961-1968)
Terrance Dicks		(4 episodes, 1962-1969)
Peter Ling		(3 episodes, 1961-1963)
Jeremy Scott		(3 episodes, 1962-1967)
Lester Powell		(2 episodes, 1961-1962)
Geoffrey Bellman		(2 episodes, 1961)
Patrick Brawn		(2 episodes, 1961)
Terence Feely		(2 episodes, 1961)
Ray Rigby		(2 episodes, 1961)
Sheilagh Ward		(2 episodes, 1961)
John Whitney		(2 episodes, 1961)
Anthony Terpiloff		(2 episodes, 1962-1963)
Philip Chambers		(2 episodes, 1963-1964)
Robert Banks Stewart		(2 episodes, 1965-1966)
Sydney Newman		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Brian Clemens	....	producer / associate producer (83 episodes, 1965-1969)
Albert Fennell	....	producer (57 episodes, 1967-1969)
Julian Wintle	....	producer / executive producer (50 episodes, 1965-1967)
Leonard White	....	producer (40 episodes, 1961-1962)
John Bryce	....	producer (38 episodes, 1963-1964)

Series Original Music by
Laurie Johnson		(155 episodes, 1961-1969)
Howard Blake		(7 episodes, 1968-1969)

Series Cinematography by
Alan Hume		(26 episodes, 1965-1968)
Ernest Steward		(15 episodes, 1965-1967)
Gilbert Taylor		(8 episodes, 1966-1969)
Peter Jessop		(7 episodes, 1968-1969)
Lionel Banes		(6 episodes, 1966)
Gerry Turpin		(5 episodes, 1965)
Wilkie Cooper		(5 episodes, 1967)
David Holmes		(5 episodes, 1969)
Stephen Dade		(2 episodes, 1968)
H.A.R. Thomson		(2 episodes, 1969)
Walter J. Harvey		(1 episode, 1968-1969)
Gerald Gibbs		(unknown episodes, 1968-1969)

Series Film Editing by
Lionel Selwyn		(15 episodes, 1966-1968)
Richard Best		(14 episodes, 1965-1966)
Karen Heward		(11 episodes, 1968-1969)
Peter Tanner		(9 episodes, 1965-1966)
Anthony Palk		(7 episodes, 1967)
Manuel del Campo		(7 episodes, 1968-1969)
Ann Chegwidden		(3 episodes, 1968-1969)
Robert C. Dearberg		(2 episodes, 1969)
John Glen		(unknown episodes)
Frank P. Keller		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
G.B. Walker		(83 episodes, 1965-1969)

Series Production Design by
Robert Jones		(51 episodes, 1967-1969)
Jim Goddard		(10 episodes, 1961-1963)
Robert Fuest		(10 episodes, 1961-1962)
Terry Green		(9 episodes, 1962-1963)
Patrick Downing		(6 episodes, 1961-1964)
Paul Bernard		(6 episodes, 1961-1963)
David Marshall		(6 episodes, 1963-1964)
Wilfred Shingleton		(6 episodes, 1967)
Alpho O'Reilly		(5 episodes, 1961)
Ann Spavin		(5 episodes, 1962-1964)
Richard Harrison		(5 episodes, 1963-1964)
Douglas James		(5 episodes, 1963-1964)
Philip Harrison		(4 episodes, 1962-1964)
Robert MacGowan		(3 episodes, 1961-1963)

Series Art Direction by
Harry Pottle		(24 episodes, 1965-1966)
Len Townsend		(13 episodes, 1967)
Kenneth McCallum Tait		(7 episodes, 1967-1969)
Fred Carter		(7 episodes, 1967)

Series Costume Design by
Jackie Jackson		(4 episodes, 1965)
Anne Gainsford		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Jim Hydes	....	makeup artist (52 episodes, 1967-1969)
George Blackler	....	makeup artist (26 episodes, 1965-1966)
Pearl Orton	....	hair stylist (24 episodes, 1965-1966)
Hilda Fox	....	hair stylist (15 episodes, 1967)
Mary Sturgess	....	hair stylist (14 episodes, 1968-1969)
Gordon Bond	....	hair stylist (9 episodes, 1968-1969)
Bill Griffiths	....	hair stylist (8 episodes, 1966-1967)
Jan Dorman	....	hair stylist (8 episodes, 1968)
Basil Newall	....	makeup artist (4 episodes, 1967)
Jeanette Freeman	....	hair stylist (3 episodes, 1967)

Series Production Management
Laurie Greenwood	....	unit manager (49 episodes, 1967-1969)
Geoffrey Haine	....	production manager (46 episodes, 1965-1967)
Ron Fry	....	production manager (33 episodes, 1968-1969)
Gordon Scott	....	executive in charge of production (33 episodes, 1968-1969)
Albert Fennell	....	executive in charge of production (26 episodes, 1965-1966)
Richard F. Dalton	....	unit manager (18 episodes, 1967)
Ted Lloyd	....	production manager (4 episodes, 1967)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John Hough	....	second unit director / assistant director: second unit (17 episodes, 1968-1969)
Frank Hollands	....	assistant director (15 episodes, 1965-1966)
Richard F. Dalton	....	assistant director (14 episodes, 1965-1967)
Ron Appleton	....	assistant director (14 episodes, 1967-1969)
Ron Purdie	....	assistant director (13 episodes, 1967-1969)
Ted Lewis	....	assistant director (12 episodes, 1967-1969)
Michael Murray	....	third assistant director (5 episodes, 1968-1969)
Jack Martin	....	assistant director (4 episodes, 1967)
Colin Lord	....	assistant director (4 episodes, 1969)
Claude Watson	....	assistant director (3 episodes, 1965)
Ron Carr	....	assistant director (2 episodes, 1967)
Ray Austin	....	second unit director (2 episodes, 1968)
Drummond Riddell	....	assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Herbert Worley	....	construction manager (34 episodes, 1967-1969)
Kenneth McCallum Tait	....	associate art director / set dresser (30 episodes, 1968-1969)
Len Townsend	....	associate art director (26 episodes, 1968-1969)
Simon Wakefield	....	set dresser (24 episodes, 1968-1969)
Charles Hammerton	....	construction manager (16 episodes, 1967)
Len Dunstan	....	construction manager (6 episodes, 1968-1969)
Ted Tester	....	set dresser (3 episodes, 1967)
Richard Harrison	....	assistant art director / associate art director (2 episodes, 1968-1969)
Richard Harrison	....	assistant art director / associate art director (2 episodes, 1968)

Series Sound Department
A.W. Lumkin	....	recording director (83 episodes, 1965-1969)
Len Abbott	....	dubbing mixer (54 episodes, 1965-1969)
Simon Kaye	....	sound recordist (36 episodes, 1965-1967)
Cecil Mason	....	sound recordist (27 episodes, 1967-1969)
Peter Lennard	....	sound editor (26 episodes, 1967-1969)
Len Shilton	....	dubbing mixer (22 episodes, 1967-1969)
Jack T. Knight	....	sound editor (18 episodes, 1966-1967)
Lionel Selwyn	....	sound editor (17 episodes, 1965-1966)
Ken Rawkins	....	sound recordist (10 episodes, 1967)
Bill Rowe	....	dubbing mixer / sound recordist (8 episodes, 1967-1969)
Robert C. Dearberg	....	sound editor (8 episodes, 1968-1969)
Russ Hill	....	sound editor (6 episodes, 1967-1968)
Rydal Love	....	sound editor (5 episodes, 1967)
Claude Hitchcock	....	sound recordist (3 episodes, 1969)
Bert Rule	....	sound editor (2 episodes, 1966)
Dennis Whitlock	....	sound recordist (2 episodes, 1968-1969)
Keith Batten	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Ray Austin	....	stunt arranger (50 episodes, 1965-1967)
Joe Dunne	....	stunt arranger (33 episodes, 1968-1969)
Peter J. Elliott	....	high dive stunt double: Diana Rigg / stunt double: Richard Montez (2 episodes, 1967)
Cyd Child	....	stunt double: Diana Rigg, 1965-1967 (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Steve Birtles	....	supervising electrician (30 episodes, 1967-1969)
Wally Thompson	....	supervising electrician (18 episodes, 1967)
James Bawden	....	camera operator (14 episodes, 1965-1967)
Godfrey A. Godar	....	camera operator (13 episodes, 1965-1966)
Brian Elvin	....	camera operator (13 episodes, 1968-1969)
Tony White	....	camera operator (10 episodes, 1966-1967)
Ernest Robinson	....	camera operator (9 episodes, 1968-1969)
Roy Bond	....	supervising electrician (8 episodes, 1968-1969)
Jeff Seaholme	....	camera operator (8 episodes, 1968-1969)
Walter J. Harvey	....	director of photography: second unit (7 episodes, 1968)
Frank Drake	....	camera operator (6 episodes, 1967)
Gerald Gibbs	....	director of photography: second unit (6 episodes, 1968)
Ronnie Taylor	....	camera operator (5 episodes, 1965)
Bert Mason	....	director of photography: second unit (4 episodes, 1969)
David Holmes	....	director of photography: second unit (2 episodes, 1969)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Alun Hughes	....	wardrobe designer: Linda Thorston / wardrobe designer: Diana Rigg (52 episodes, 1967-1969)
Pierre Cardin	....	wardrobe designer: Patrick Macnee (30 episodes, 1967-1969)
Felix Evans	....	wardrobe (25 episodes, 1967-1969)
Patrick Macnee	....	wardrobe designer: Patrick Macnee / wardrobe: Patrick Macnee (24 episodes, 1968-1969)
Jackie Jackson	....	wardrobe supervisor (22 episodes, 1965-1966)
John Bates	....	wardrobe designer: Diana Rigg (15 episodes, 1965-1966)
Frederick Starke	....	wardrobe designer: Honor Blackman (13 episodes, 1963-1964)
Ivy Baker	....	wardrobe supervisor / wardrobe (13 episodes, 1968-1969)
Jean Fairlie	....	wardrobe supervisor (11 episodes, 1967)
Michael Whittaker	....	wardrobe designer: Honor Blackman / wardrobe: Honor Blackman (7 episodes, 1962-1963)
Harvey Gould	....	wardrobe designer: Linda Thorston (6 episodes, 1968-1969)
Hilda Geerdts	....	wardrobe / wardrobe supervisor (5 episodes, 1967)
Gladys James	....	wardrobe (3 episodes, 1967)

Series Editorial Department
Peter Tanner	....	supervising editor (24 episodes, 1967)
Ann Chegwidden	....	post-production coordinator (20 episodes, 1968-1969)
Harry Booth	....	post-production coordinator (12 episodes, 1968)
Manuel del Campo	....	supervising editor (9 episodes, 1968)

Series Music Department
John Dankworth	....	composer: theme music / musician: theme song (78 episodes, 1961-1964)
Karen Heward	....	music editor (35 episodes, 1967-1968)
Paul B. Clay	....	music editor (19 episodes, 1968-1969)
Howard Blake	....	composer: additional music (3 episodes, 1968)
Laurie Johnson	....	music supervisor (2 episodes, 1968-1969)
Vivienne Collins	....	music editor (2 episodes, 1968)

Series Transportation Department
George Andrews	....	unit driver (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Jack Greenwood	....	production controller (44 episodes, 1967-1969)
John Bryce	....	story editor (40 episodes, 1961-1962)
Richard Bates	....	story editor (39 episodes, 1962-1964)
June Randall	....	continuity (35 episodes, 1965-1969)
Philip Levene	....	story consultant (33 episodes, 1968-1969)
Terry Nation	....	script editor (33 episodes, 1968-1969)
Julian Wintle	....	consultant to the series (33 episodes, 1968-1969)
Patrick Brawn	....	story editor (26 episodes, 1961)
Brian Clemens	....	story editor (26 episodes, 1965-1966)
Edward Rayne	....	shoes: Diana Rigg (14 episodes, 1965-1966)
Mary Spain	....	continuity (14 episodes, 1967-1969)
Gladys Goldsmith	....	continuity (13 episodes, 1967)
Kay Perkins	....	continuity (8 episodes, 1968-1969)
Eric Bryce	....	story editor (6 episodes, 1962)
Anne Trehearne	....	fashion consultant (6 episodes, 1965-1966)
Kay Fenton	....	continuity (4 episodes, 1969)
Eve Wilson	....	continuity (3 episodes, 1967)
Doreen Soan	....	continuity (2 episodes, 1967-1968)
Marjorie Lavelly	....	continuity (2 episodes, 1967)
Peggy Spirito	....	continuity (2 episodes, 1967)

Production Companies

• ABC Weekend Television (1961-1969)

Distributors

• Independent Television (ITV) (1961) (UK) (TV)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1967-1969) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• American-International Television (AIP-TV) (1969) (USA) (TV) (syndication)
• Lumiere Video (1993) (UK) (VHS)
• A&E Home Video (1998) (USA) (VHS)
• A&E Home Video (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• ARTE (2009) (Germany) (TV)
• Arte (2009) (France) (TV)
• Orion Television Distribution (????) (worldwide) (TV) (syndication)
• Studio Canal (2009) (worldwide) (all media)
• Warner Bros. Television (????) (worldwide) (TV) (syndication)

Runtime:

60 min (161 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Singapore:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Associated British Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

ABC Weekend Television

Trivia:

A radio version began two years after the show ended: broadcast weeknightly on Springbok Radio, the South African Broadcasting Corporation's English-speaking wing, scripts from the filmed series (often earlier versions than had appeared on-screen) were reworked into fifteen-minute serials of varying lengths. Sponsored by Cold Water Omo and starring Donald Monat as Steed and Diane Appleby as Mrs Peel (Mother made occasional appearances, usually played by Colin Fish), the series ran from 6th December 1971 to 28th December 1973 (plus a mini reprise in "The Great Gong Robbery", a special drama celebrating Springbok's Silver Jubilee on 30th April 1975). Laurie Johnson's theme tune was used throughout, and to smooth over the more visual aspects Springbok news-broadcaster Hugh Rouse was engaged as the tongue-in-cheek narrator. This was South Africa's sole experience of the show (outside of rented film prints) at the time since their television service only began in the mid-'70s and the parent TV series wasn't purchased until many years later. It is unknown how many serials aired: from a potential 83 stories (some of which appear to have been remade), only 19 are currently known to exist in full, thanks to private South African enthusiasts as the SABC did not retain any copies.

Quotes:

Emma Peel: You know my wavelength.
John Steed: I do indeed.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Married with Children: Shoeway to Heaven (#9.1)" (1994)

"Mrs. Peel, we're needed."

PART TWO: KINKY BOOTS AND BOWLER HAT (65-68)

THE AVENGERS was already a popular show in England during the early 60s. However, it all backfired when Honor Blackman decided to leave the series in order to star in GOLDFINGER. When season three ended, ABC decided to pull the plug on THE AVENGERS and sold the series to Telemen Limited. Albert Fennel and Brian Clemmens were both recruited to keep up the standard. Plus, a big revolution happened: The series moved from videotape to film and the budget was also sightly improved.

But even knowing Patrick McNee came back, the studio faced a major problem: Cathy was gone. Since Blackman had already made the character so popular, it was decided a new partner would be created to be paired up with Steed. So Elisabeth Shappard was cast as Emma Peel (Man appeal! Get it?) and production started. But it was soon noticed Sheppard's cold beauty and persona was not right for the role. So Sheakespeare stage actress Diana Rigg was cast as a replacement. The show premiered in 1965 as a completely different deal.

And of course, the rest is history... Diana Rigg brought the charm and kindness that Blackman lacked, altrough she lacked Honor's strenght and toughness. Patrick McNee also played a very different Steed: He went from a James Bond-like sexist macho man to a more kind gentleman spy. The new AVENGERS became so popular that it was exported to the US. Yes, the fourth season was indeed revolutionary. But what made it so much better than the previous seasons? The most obvious answer would be Emma Peel, or the bigger budget, but I would give credit to the writers. This time, the scripts were much sharper and the show never took itself very seriously. And then there is the wonderful chemistry between McNee and Rigg. The Steed/Emma relationship was subliminally romantic and funny. They always enjoyed great lines togheter.

Some season four episodes are good even for today's standards: THE GRAVEDIGGERS has a hilarious silent film spoof climax. THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT was a clautrophobic "girl alone in a house" sort of thriller. THE CYBERNAUTS brought a strong sci-fi element. TOO MANY CHRISTMAS TREES brought the Steed/Emma chemistry to he highest calibur. And let's not forget a TOUCH OF BRIMSTONE that gets the award for sexiest episode ever.

The UK didn't order a season five, but the US did. The series moved from B&W to color, the budget was even higher, and the action increased as well. Gone were the sloppy season four fights and the large male stunts used to double Rigg. Now, the fights were better coreographed, and Cyd Childs (Who looked a lot like Diana Rigg) would be in charge of the kung fu moves that would take out the female baddie of the week. Included were the "we're needed" introductions that were made in order to format the show a-la MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE. The US backers also demanded Emma Peel to be more femenine and Rigg decided to replace her leather catsuits with jumpsuits that woulkd go down in fashion history as Emmapeelers.

No doubt season five was fun, but the show went from spy adventures to spoof comedies. Just look at the plot lines: THE HIDDEN TIGER dealt with cats progammed to attack their owners. ESCAPE IN TIME was about time-traveling! And FROM VENUS WITH LOVE was about an alien beam that would kill scientists! You just couldn't watch the show as a thriller anymore.

Even Rigg got tired and decided to leave the series. Linda Thorson was cast as Tara King for season six. Of course, the only reason was that Linda was the girlfriend of then-producer John Bryce. The character of Tara King was the femenine partner that the US backers wanted. The girl was so dependent of Steed that she carried a brick on her purse. It looks like Venus Smith all over again. The fact that Linda was a totally unexperienced actress didn't help. Season six began, with quite good rantings that kept up the standard.

Most fans usually hate season six because of the absence of Emma Peel, but I dare say this season was a great deal of underrated fun. Not as silly as season five or as serius as the first three seasons, this era of the show saw Steed and Tara on trully good adventures. LOOK... teamed them against killer clowns (?). SPLIT! dealt with agents shifting personalities through brainwashing. And STAY TUNED is one of those rare episodes where Steed almost cracks!

Even the character of Tara King became more tolerable as the season progessed. She even had a Steedless episode (ALL DONE WITH MIRRORS) where she put both Emma and Cathy to shame. She soon didn't need the brick (*sight*) and her intelligence was also improved. In France, she is ten times more popular than Emma.

However, the show's rantings in the US were poor due to the bad time-slot of putting the show against LAUGH-IN. The US didn't order more episodes and without the US support, THE AVENGERS ended.

THE AVENGERS was indeed a revolutionary and magic TV show. Many later sows (HART TO HART, REMINGTON STEELE) owe a lot to it.

Sure there is the 1976 revival and te dreadful 1998 movie, but that is another story...