Episode 125: Emma Peel Era
Page 126 of 192
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A.K.A.
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Other Viewpoints |
Meutres à épisodes
Sie wurden soeben ermordet
Sei appena stato assassinato
Usted Ha Sido Asesinado
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Production completed: 2 August 1967
UK Premiere (London, Season 6): 26 October 1967
US Premiere (New York, Season 3): 24 January 1968
Millionaires
are being extorted by creative means: their hypothetical murders are staged
over and over until paranoia gets the better of them, at which point they
willingly fork over a million in cash to
one Nathaniel Needle.
IMHO |
Although this is a favorite among fans, it is not a standout for me. It's just... well... bland. No outrageousness, no memorable lines or scenes—a perfect example of the "more realistic" direction the producers were trying to steer the show toward the end of the Emma Peel era. On the bright side, Mr. Needle (he hides in a haystack—get it?) is a marvelous mastermind, reminiscent of Mr Teddy Bear from the first Cathy Gale series—indeed, many people think it's the same actor, which it isn't.
Trivia |
This is the one and only time Diana Rigg appears in a leather catsuit during a color episode, and even here for only one brief scene. Diana is on record as disliking the leather gear, and it's a good bet this is one reason it was otherwise absent during the color season. But apparently the studio fielded a lot of correspondence from fans asking what became of the leather, which may explain this token appearance near the very end of the season (and Diana Rigg's tenure with the series). This creation, replete with chains and metallic trim, was designed by Alun "Emmapeeler" Hughes, possibly very early in his tenure. And the outfit might have seen a bit more use had it not been utterly destroyed during the stunt filming. Stuntwoman Cyd Child split several seams, and a lady named Gladys from the costume department followed her around all afternoon trying to keep the £400+ costume in one piece. By the end of the shoot it was "kaput," as Cyd put it in an interview with Dave Rogers.
For the ultra-trivia-minded, Diana was also filmed in a leather catsuit (the zippered one from the monochrome era) on color film for "The The Strange Case of the Missing Corpse," a studio promotional piece that was edited and broadcast in America as an advertisement for the upcoming color season.
Did you notice the diabolical mastermind's television camera? It's labeled "Needle TV." I have no idea why I get a kick out of that...
Simon Oates (Skelton) played Steed in the short-lived stage play of The Avengers.
On Location |
Tyke's Water Lake once again provided a setting. The bridge was the money drop point, and the lake was the "river" where a rather wet fight took place. Side grounds at The Edgwarebury Hotel also made an appearance. On Location provides current views of these spots.
Essential Reading |
- Mrs. Peel... We're Needed by Piers Johnson