Episode 42: Cathy Gale Era
Page 42 of 192

 

  A.K.A.

 Warlock

 El Brujo

  Other Viewpoints

• Visitor Reviews
• The GLG Report
• The Young Avenger

WARLOCK

Steed needs help with black magic
Cathy just happens to be an expert*

Production completed: 7 January 1963
UK Premiere (London, Season 2): 27 January 1963
US Premiere (A&E cable): ca. 20 February 1991

Shortly after a rocket fuel expert apparently falls into some sort of trance, he disappears. Judging from the books in the scientist's library, he was heavily into the occult, and mounting evidence suggests he was under a spell... until he suddenly reappears—dead. To help solve the mystery, Steed seeks the assistance of one Catherine Gale, Ph.D., an expert in black magic.

 IMHO

Whilst somewhat uneven, this episode nevertheless grows on you. Some of the visual effects are imaginative, some are downright laughable—but please remember the era and the style of production. While the music effects get quite tedious, there are some marvelous exchanges between Steed and Cathy—in one scene, Steed is drunk and busily propositioning her! There is also a rather elaborate dance number near the end that should, ahem, appeal to male viewers...

 Trivia

"Warlock" was originally intended to introduce Cathy Gale, but after initial production on 7 July 1962, the producers decided to re-record the bulk of the scenes between Steed and Cathy sometime during December 1962 and January 1963, according to television historian and author Andrew Pixley (but when exactly this took place is not yet known). Still, the dialog tends to create the feeling that this was Steed and Cathy's first meeting.

The scene with Steed and Cathy in her car outside was originally videotaped on 6 July 1962. Also, The six actors uncredited with a role played the people in the Secret Chamber, Pub, Bookshop and Lecture scenes.

*This unofficial subtitle is by Yours Truly.

 Best Scene

The best scene is actually a blooper by Peter Arne, playing Cosmo Gallion, when he drops a clipboard on the floor ("...so sorry...")! Ah, well, when the cameras are rolling, you gotta keep moving, since in those days video edits cost £150 each!

 Best Line

Steed (who is inebriated at the time) is remarking to Cathy about discovering her breaking into the scientist's library. "Did I break any bones?" she barks.

 Essential Reading

WARLOCK

Teleplay by
Story Editor
Designed by
Producer
Directed by

Doreen Montgomery
Richard Bates
Terry Green
John Bryce
Peter Hammond

Full production credits

CAST

John Steed
Cathy Gale
Cosmo Gallion
Markel
Julia
One-Ten
Mrs. Dunning
Peter Neville
Doctor
Pathologist
Mogom
Barmaid
Pasco
Miss Timson
And:

Patrick Macnee 007
Honor Blackman 007
Peter Arne #
John Hollis # 007
Pat Spencer
Douglas Muir #
Olive Milbourne
Alban Blakelock
Brian Vaughan
Gordon Gardner
Philip Mosca
Susan Franklin
Herbert Nelson #
Christina Ferdinando
Bill Haydn
Anna Sharkley
Roy Gunson
Maggie Lee
Fred Evans
Gillian Bowden

# DOPPELGANGERS

Peter Arne

Death on the Slipway
The Golden Eggs
Room Without a View

John Hollis

The Cybernauts
The Superlative Seven
Legacy of Death

Douglas Muir

Death Dispatch
Mr Teddy Bear
The Removal Men
Immortal Clay

Herbert Nelson

Death of a Great Dane
Dragonsfield
 

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This website Copyright © 1996-2017 David K. Smith. All Rights Reserved.
Page last modified: 5 May 2017.

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