The Decapod (13 Oct. 1962)

The president of a Balkan Republic is menaced by a masked assassin. Although Steed is sent to augment the visiting dignitary's security detail, his bodyguards are murdered one by one.

Director:

Don Leaver

Writer:

Eric Paice (teleplay)

Stars:

Patrick Macnee, Julie Stevens, Paul Stassino

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Patrick Macnee	...	John Steed
Julie Stevens	...	Venus Smith
Paul Stassino	...	Yakob Borb
Philip Madoc	...	Stepan
Wolfe Morris	...	Ito
Lynn Furlong	...	Edna Ramsden (as Lynne Furlong)
Raymond Adamson	...	Harry Ramsden
Harvey Ashby	...	Guard's Officer
Pamela Conway	...	Girl In Shower
Stanley M. Ayers	...	Ring Announcer
Doug Robinson	...	Bodyguard Georgi (as Douglas Robinson)
Valentino Musetti	...	Bodyguard Sarkoff (as Valentine Musetti)
Valerie Stanton	...	Cigarette Girl
The Dave Lee Trio	...	Themselves

Storyline

The president of a Balkan Republic is menaced by a masked assassin. Although Steed is sent to augment the visiting dignitary's security detail, his bodyguards are murdered one by one.

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Plot Keywords:

president | balkan | assassin | bodyguard | masked killer | 

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Genres:

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

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 October 1962 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated British Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

51 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The wrestling programme perused by Steed at the Islington Baths is clearly blank inside; only the cover was mocked-up for the production.

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Quotes

[about President Yakob Borb's name]
Venus Smith: Sounds like a beat poet.

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Soundtracks

"You Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)"
(uncredited)
Composed by Duke Ellington and Paul Francis Webster
Sung by Julie Stevens

User Reviews

Julie Stevens debuts as Venus Smith

The eighth episode shot during the second season, "The Decapod" was the debut for Julie Stevens as nightclub singer Venus Smith, who was actually cast in her role before Honor Blackman earned the part of Cathy Gale, whose first four episodes followed Jon Rollason's brief three episode run as Dr. Martin King. Venus would alternate with Cathy for the remainder of the season, appearing in a total of six entries, of which this debut was easily the weakest. Paul Stassino ("Thunderball") headlines as Balkan president Yakob Borb, whose ambassador, Stepan (Philip Madoc), hires two bodyguards who wind up getting murdered by someone disguised as a masked wrestler known as The Decapod. We actually begin with Steed investigating the death of Yakob Borb's personal secretary, ambushed out of the shower by The Decapod, which provides the reason for bringing Venus Smith into the story, as Steed convinces her that by using her charms to get close to the Balkan president, currently negotiating a loan from Britain, he might be willing to finance a singing tour for her. We are treated to not one but two songs sung by Venus, as well as two wrestling matches, none of which are all that interesting. A welcome presence on the show, Philip Madoc later appeared in "Six Hands Across a Table," "Death of a Batman," "The Correct Way to Kill," and "My Wildest Dream." Wolfe Morris also appeared in "The Yellow Needle" and "Two's a Crowd," Raymond Adamson later did "The Grandeur That Was Rome" and "Take Me to Your Leader," Harvey Ashby did "Death at Bargain Prices" and "Requiem," Douglas Robinson did "Death on the Rocks," "Man with Two Shadows," and "Esprit De Corps," and Valentino Musetti did "Death A La Carte," "The Secrets Broker," "The Outside-In-Man," and "Lobster Quadrille." The Venus Smith episodes would improve from this lacklustre start, but would not be retained for the third season. Her second episode would be "The Removal Men."