Dead Man's Treasure (13 Mar. 1968)

The hunt for a murdered courier's despatch leads Steed and Emma to a deadly car race with a "shocking" surprise at the finish line. It takes The Avengers to flag down the murderers and apply the brakes to their plans.

Director:

Sidney Hayers

Writer:

Michael Winder

Stars:

Patrick Macnee, Diana Rigg, Norman Bowler

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Patrick Macnee	...	John Steed
Diana Rigg	...	Emma Peel
Norman Bowler	...	Major Mike Cobin
Valerie Van Ost	...	Penelope 'Penny' Blaine
Edwin Richfield	...	Alex
Neil McCarthy	...	Carl
Arthur Lowe	...	Sir George Benstead
Ivor Dean	...	Bates
Rio Fanning	...	Bobby Danvers
Penny Bird	...	Miss Peabody
Gerry Crampton	...	1st Guest
Peter J. Elliott	...	2nd Guest

Storyline

The hunt for a murdered courier's despatch leads Steed and Emma to a deadly car race with a "shocking" surprise at the finish line. It takes The Avengers to flag down the murderers and apply the brakes to their plans.

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Plot Keywords:

car race | murderer | murder | simulator | money | 

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 March 1968 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Shenley Hall, Shenley, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated British Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Racing to the finish line

"Dead Man's Treasure" moves at a brisk pace, racing to the finish line, all for 1000 guineas. In Steed's case, the hidden treasure also contains a box of important documents that cost the life of fellow agent Bobby Danvers (Rio Fanning, "False Witness"). Crashing the party in pursuit of the same goal are villains Alex (Edwin Richfield, in his fifth appearance on the show) and Carl (Neil McCarthy, "Brought to Book" and "The Interrogators"), who engage in a little cheating along the route, directed from one location to another, before Mrs. Peel winds up in the same death trap that proved fatal for Sir George Benstead (Arthur Lowe), the sponsor of the auto rally. Ivor Dean ("The Removal Men" and "Super Secret Cypher Snatch") plays Bates, dedicated manservant to Sir George, but it's Valerie Van Ost, previously seen in the promo short "The Strange Case of the Missing Corpse," who steals the show as Penny Blaine, the perpetual 'bridesmaid, never a bride,' whose succession of fiancees all come to a sad end (prompting Steed to suggest they remain good friends!) More delightful repartee, with Steed distracted by Penny's shapely legs while taking a turn off the road- "it's a short skirt, I mean a short cut!" plus Emma's introduction to an enamored Sir George, who can't take his eyes off of her while Steed comments on the car- Steed: "what a beauty!" Sir George: "oh, I do agree!" Steed: "marvelous chassis!" Sir George: "well, I wouldn't be quite so bold as to say that but uh..." Steed: "her suspension's pretty complex too!" Sir George: "eh? oh that!" The final gag with Steed's razor is a glorious ending to another beloved episode.