Episode 63: Cathy Gale Era
Page 63 of 192
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A.K.A.
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Other Viewpoints |
Construir Una Trampa Mejor"
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Production completed: 28 August 1963
UK Premiere (London, Season 3): 15 February 1964
US Premiere (A&E cable): ca. 1 April 1991
Cathy joins a motorcycle gang! And
the gang has permission to ride on a particular tract of land. But the Peck sisters don't
take too kindly to their noise, and they "cast a spell" on the bikers. Sure
enough, the bikes inexplicably stall—along with every other mechanical device within two
miles of the mill where the Peck sisters live. Townsfolk blame the nuclear test facility
nearby, but Steed knows something they don't.
IMHO |
What a lot of fun! This one is generously endowed with renowned Avengers quirkiness, making it something of a prototype Emma Peel episode.
Of course, anything with Athene Seyler (who was equally delightful in "Man-Eater of Surrey Green") is bound to be worthwhile. And it is a kick seeing how mid-60s teenagers are portrayed.
If there is a strike against this episode, then it must be the dreadful night filming of Cathy and friends riding their motorcycles, which is a real shame. Instead of filming in the day with a stopped-down camera, which is how such things are done ordinarily, they actually shot at night. After a transfer of the film to video for the original broadcast, then from video to film for local broadcast and archiving, and then from film back to video for home distribution, the result is unwatchable. The first image gives you some idea.
Best Scene |
Steed is chatting up the Peck sisters with nonsense about the "National Distrust."
Essential Reading |
- Mrs. Peel... We're Needed by Piers Johnson