The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964–1968)

The two top agents of the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement fight the enemies of peace, particularly the forces of THRUSH.

Stars:

Robert Vaughn, David McCallum, Leo G. Carroll

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 22 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Robert Vaughn	...	Napoleon Solo (105 episodes, 1964-1968)
David McCallum	...	Illya Kuryakin (104 episodes, 1964-1968)
Leo G. Carroll	...	Alexander Waverly (102 episodes, 1964-1968)

Storyline

Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin are the two agents of the United Network Command for Law Enforcement, who fight evil (primarily an organization of Bad people called, THRUSH) and use charm, wit, and a never ending assortment of gadgets. Ran for 4 years.

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Plot Keywords:

gadget | walkie talkie | semiautomatic pistol | sensuality | secret agent | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy

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Details

Official Sites:

The Fans From U.N.C.L.E.

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 September 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ian Fleming's Solo

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arena Productions, MGM Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (105 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White (season 1) Color (seasons 2-4) (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the original, unaired version of the pilot episode (shot in color), the Head of U.N.C.L.E. was called Mr. Allison, played by Will Kuluva. When the program finally aired it was shown entirely in black and white with Kulava's scenes re-shot, featuring Leo G. Carroll as Mr. Waverly.

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Goofs

The map upon Mr. Waverly's office wall is incorrect in numerous cases. For example, it shows Canada and Newfoundland to be 2 separate states. Other errors include the lack of East Pakistan and all of Indo-China is depicted as one nation by the name of 'Siam'. This map appears in various episodes.

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Quotes

Napoleon Solo: [calling on the intercom] Illya, we have a situation here that needs your special talents. Are you free?
Illya Kuryakin: [from intercom] No man is free who works for a living. But, I'm available.

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Crazy Credits

A number of first-season episodes begin with a prologue in which the lead actors break the fourth wall and address the audience, explaining who they are and what they do.

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Connections

Referenced in Petticoat Junction: Birdman of Shady Rest (1966)

User Reviews

Great espionage show from the 60's

My dad used to watch this show during the first two seasons of the show,and I immediately became hooked! The Man From U.N.C.L.E was one of the best spy shows ever to come out of a period which the cold war,civil rights,and the height of the Vietnam War was a great escape for young minds back then. Since the show was a huge hit on the NBC network when it premiered in the fall of 1964,it was something that no one thought of at that time: a character who was in the same ranks as James Bond 007 himself! The gadgets on that show were awesome(pens that acted as a radio to phone back at headquarters;an automobile with a built in machine gun and seat ejector)and the headquarters of the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement which were secretly hidden in a tenement complex in New York..something to beholded!!! Robert Vaughn was a true gentlemen and a suave secret agent who was in the same category as Sean Connery,but he made the role very interesting as Napoleon Solo,and his Russian counterpart Illya,played by David McCallum,the coolest ever with a 60's shag blonde look(who looked like a rock star instead of an secret agent)!! The show's first two seasons were very dramatic and their was a great chemistry between the actors themselves which kept the action intense and very hipped!!! The sad part is that when the show's color episodes came it wasn't dramatic or very appealing anymore,but incredibly silly by the end of series' final run in 1968 (the black and white episodes from 1964-1965 were the best ever and some of the best gadgets too). Jerry Goldsmith's theme score for the series was the best ever for a TV series,and still is to this day. U.N.C.L.E was so,so good it spawned two feature films,and dozens of toys,comic books,mystery novels,and posters,and can you believe that David McCallum have a hit record out based on the show back in 1965(which he teamed up with Nancy Sinatra on a hit song,which hit the top of the charts too-very rare to find that album nowadays),plus a very short-lived Saturday Morning cartoon show? The repeats are rarely seen on TV nowadays,but they can be seen on TNT every once in a while if possible.