"Secret Agent" (1964) "Danger Man" (original title), TV series 1964-1966

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

3 April 1965 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

Three years after the original "Danger Man" series concluded, it was revamped and continued in a longer format...

Plot Keywords:

Gadget | Eurospy | Sequel | Spy | Espionage

Cast

Patrick McGoohan

...

John Drake (47 episodes, 1964-1967)

Series Directed by
Don Chaffey		(14 episodes, 1964-1966)
Michael Truman		(10 episodes, 1964-1967)
Peter Yates		(7 episodes, 1965-1967)
Quentin Lawrence		(3 episodes, 1964-1965)
Peter Maxwell		(3 episodes, 1964-1965)
Charles Crichton		(2 episodes, 1964)
Patrick McGoohan		(2 episodes, 1965-1966)
George Pollock		(2 episodes, 1966)

Series Writing credits
Philip Broadley		(13 episodes, 1964-1966)
Ralph Smart		(12 episodes, 1964-1966)
David Stone		(7 episodes, 1964-1965)
Donald Jonson		(6 episodes, 1964-1966)
Raymond Bowers		(2 episodes, 1964-1966)
John Roddick		(2 episodes, 1964-1965)
Wilfred Greatorex		(2 episodes, 1964)
Norman Hudis		(2 episodes, 1967)

Series Produced by
Ralph Smart	....	executive producer (45 episodes, 1964-1966)
Sidney Cole	....	producer (39 episodes, 1964-1967)
Barry Delmaine	....	associate producer (26 episodes, 1964-1967)
Aida Young	....	producer (7 episodes, 1964-1965)

Series Cinematography by
Brendan J. Stafford		(45 episodes, 1964-1967)
Ken Hodges		(2 episodes, 1964)

Series Film Editing by
Lee Doig		(21 episodes, 1964-1967)
John Glen		(20 episodes, 1964-1967)

Series Casting by
Rose Tobias Shaw		(47 episodes, 1964-1967)

Series Art Direction by
Jack Shampan		(24 episodes, 1964-1965)
Lionel Couch		(19 episodes, 1965-1966)
Seamus Flannery		(2 episodes, 1965)
Albert Witherick		(2 episodes, 1967)

Series Makeup Department
Eddie Knight	....	make-up (47 episodes, 1964-1967)
Patricia McDermott	....	hairdressing (23 episodes, 1964-1967)
Betty Sherriff	....	hairdressing (15 episodes, 1965-1967)
Connie Abel	....	hairdressing (7 episodes, 1965)
Olga Angelinetta	....	hairdressing (3 episodes, 1965)

Series Production Management
Barry Delmaine	....	production supervisor (21 episodes, 1964-1965)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Douglas Hermes	....	assistant director (18 episodes, 1965-1967)
David Tomblin	....	assistant director / second unit director (16 episodes, 1964-1966)
Gino Marotta	....	assistant director (11 episodes, 1964-1965)
Peter Price	....	assistant director (8 episodes, 1964-1967)

Series Art Department
Don Picton	....	set dresser (14 episodes, 1965-1967)
Johnny Bigg Jr.	....	property buyer (2 episodes, 1967)

Series Sound Department
Wilfred Thompson	....	sound editor (37 episodes, 1964-1967)
Jock May	....	sound recordist (18 episodes, 1965-1967)
David Bowen	....	sound recordist (12 episodes, 1964-1965)
Cyril Swern	....	sound recordist (7 episodes, 1964-1965)
Gerry Turner	....	sound recordist (7 episodes, 1965)
Frank Goulding	....	sound editor (4 episodes, 1965-1966)
Buster Ambler	....	sound recordist (4 episodes, 1965)
Allan Morrison	....	sound editor (3 episodes, 1964-1965)
Bill Taylor	....	sound editor (2 episodes, 1965)

Series Stunts
Frank Maher	....	stunt coordinator / stunt double: Patrick McGoohan (47 episodes, 1964-1967)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Jack Lowin	....	camera operator (45 episodes, 1964-1967)
Stephen Dade	....	second unit cameraman (3 episodes, 1966)
Herbert Smith	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1964)
S.D. Onions	....	second unit cameraman (2 episodes, 1965)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Masada Wilmot	....	wardrobe (47 episodes, 1964-1967)
Andre Peters	....	costumes: Miss Black / miss Barrie's clothes created by (2 episodes, 1966-1967)

Series Music Department
Edwin Astley	....	director of music (47 episodes, 1964-1967)
Alan Killick	....	music editor (47 episodes, 1964-1967)
P.F. Sloan	....	composer: theme music (unknown episodes, 1965-1966)
Steve Barri	....	composer: theme music (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Ralph Smart	....	series devised and edited by / series creator / ... (45 episodes, 1964-1967)
Doris Martin	....	continuity (40 episodes, 1964-1966)
Wilfred Greatorex	....	script editor (7 episodes, 1964-1965)
Isabelle Byers	....	continuity (4 episodes, 1964-1965)
George Markstein	....	story editor / script consultant (3 episodes, 1966-1967)
Josie Fulford	....	continuity (2 episodes, 1967)

Production Companies

• Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Distributors

• A&E Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• Arts & Entertainment Video (USA) (DVD)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1965-1966)
• Fuji Television Network (1965) (Japan) (TV)
• Independent Television (ITV) (1964) (UK) (TV)

Also Known As:

"Danger Man" - UK (original title)
"Secret Agent aka Danger Man" - USA (video box title)

Runtime:

49 min (47 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (seasons 1-3) | Color (season 4)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Trivia:

After several seasons of black-and-white episodes, it was decided to switch to color. But after only two episodes were completed, McGoohan quit the series to devote his energies to "The Prisoner" (1967). These two episodes - Koroshi (1968) (TV) & _Shinda Shima(1968) (TV)_ were edited together to form the film Koroshi (1968) (TV).

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Spy Next Door (2010)

Don't let B/W scare you, this series is better than Bond!

Patrick McGoohan (The Prisoner, Scanners, Braveheart) stars as Secret Agent John Drake in this highly entertaining series full of quick dialogue, twist endings, and inventive storylines that would be right at home on Primetime TV now. McGoohan's subtle yet intense acting and well-choreographed fight scenes, as well as minorities and women in the roles of intelligent, important people are far ahead of their time and worth watching again and again. The characters have a fair amount of depth for a show that's primarily "us-against-them"; the bad guys are sympathetic and the good guys aren't squeaky-clean.

The fact that John Drake occasionally makes mistakes and has to improvise with his wits, luck and humor rather than a series of well-placed gadgets sets this series above the Bond films. It's fast-paced and tightly written...exceedingly clever overall.

McGoohan's acting style reminds me of both Mel Gibson and Ben Browder; he's capable of saying loads of things with no dialogue, is equally adept at humor, action and anger, and can flip emotions quickly. Today's audience may find some of the styles of the other actors a little dated, and the contrast is more pronounced because McGoohan is so much better than most of them.

FIGHTING: The fight scenes are inventive and action-packed. McGoohan's boxing experience shows, but he isn't limited to one fighting style, fights dirty when necessary and isn't above unexpectedly throwing furniture across a room or tossing an adversary down the stairs. There are several back-breaking stunts in the fight scenes which are probably not allowed any more, so if you're a fight buff as I am, they're worth rewinding.

GADGETS: The spy gadgets are for the most part items which could actually exist, and they are brought in as part of a plan rather than the Gothic Trick style gadgets of 007; Drake never has to hope that someone borrows his exploding pen at just the right time. I love Q's inventions, they add humor and flavor to the Bond films, but I find that I don't really miss them since it's clear Drake could beat Bond on an IQ test.

BONUS FOR THE LADIES: If you like James Bond (McGoohan actually turned down the role of James Bond -- twice), but prefer someone who's less of a rake with a bigger sense of humor, this is the guy for you. Not quite funny enough to beat Austin Powers, mind you, but he has better teeth. He's cute, clever and charming and I became a "Drake Drooler" upon my first viewing.

LOVE SCENES: While other characters kiss and have affairs and trade sex for secrets on the show, and Drake clearly enjoys the parties he attends and gambling with the Agency's money, the main character had not one kissing scene throughout the entire series, (which may have something to do with the fact Drake smokes constantly-- his lighter is a camera). I had thought this would make it seem dated, but actually it became an important detail of a well-crafted character, and is part of why I grew to like him better than Bond after only the first disk. I am speaking as a lifetime Bond fan, too, so it wasn't easy for me to admit.

BONUS FOR PRISONER FANS: Fans of McGoohan's cult hit The Prisoner will love to join the scavenger hunt and pick out the characters and clues that have led many to conclude that John Drake and Number 6 are one in the same, or at least that the Everyman in the Prisoner is represented by John Drake. (McGoohan categorically denies this, but it's more fun to play with it.)

Those who have watched The Prisoner may wish to start with set 2, which contains the episode Colony Three, the first appearance of a town full of spies referred to as "The Village". Villagers will also feel quite at home in "The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove", a surreal look into Drake's mind in which he sees Death at every turn. The symbolic use of midnight, mirrors and reflection will satisfy your urge to dissect if you're one of the more fervent Prisoner fans.

Be Seeing You!