Episode 115: Emma Peel Era
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Production completed: 27 February 1967
UK Premiere (London, Season 5): 31 March 1967
US Premiere (New York, Season 2): 14 April 1967
"Zis vill pack ze art
houses!" A crazed film producer traps Emma in an old studio lot with the intent to
revive his career by dramatically chronicling her actual death on film.
IMHO |
Silly? Without a doubt. Plotless? No argument. Over-the-top? Absolutely! What could be regarded as a comic variation of "The House That Jack Built" is highlighted by some outrageous performances and avant-garde imagery—Emma's wedding/funeral sequence is mesmerizing, and Peter Wyngarde, who was dazzling in "A Touch of Brimstone," is delightful as a Peter O'Toole-ish has-been who assumes a dizzying array of roles. Just remember to check your brain at the door, or you might miss a good time.
Fans either love it or hate it—and some have even admitted to switching
camps. Regardless of how you feel, at this site it is ranked by visitors as #16 of all episodes (in the previous
voting run),
and over at A&E it's #2 for the season. Seems as though it tends to run afoul mainly
with the Seven Season Revisionists...
Trivia |
So, how many roles does Stewart Kirby play? One shy of a dozen. Damita Syn was busy, too, with six parts.
Does the silent film score style music Z.Z. plays during the fight scene sound familiar? Watch "The Gravediggers" again...
Recognize the abstract painting sitting on the floor in the scene just before Emma meets Damita? The sharp eye (in this case, Alix Sensale's) will notice it is also appears in "From Venus With Love."
Bill McCutcheon spotted another recycled prop: When the policeman actor demonstrates his dramatic death scene, he falls down on the "Simon Roberts and Son" sign from "The Winged Avenger."
This episode gave us a glimpse of what the actual set for Emma's flat might have looked like.
Best Scene |
Emma growls MGM-lion-style as she is captioned with "A
Z.Z. von Schnerk Production" (second image)!
Best Line |
Emma to her co-stars: "Gloat all you like. But just
remember... I'm the star of this picture."
We're Needed |
Steed rushes into Emma's apartment uttering, "Mrs. Peel—" but before he can finish,
she replies, "Sorry, Steed, I'm needed elsewhere!"
Tag |
Uninspired by the cinema ads (which includes "an old Stewart Kirby movie"), Steed and Emma decide to spend the evening "at home"—then proceed to knock down the set of Emma's apartment and depart.
