'John Mannering' ( Steve Forrest ) and 'David Marlowe' ( Paul Ferris ) attend the funeral of 'Jim Carey', who saved the Baron's life during World War 2. Carey was a scoundrel and a rat-fink who cared for nobody but himself. One by one, the mourners express contempt for the deceased. The lovely 'Helga Sorenson' ( Patricia Haines ) spits on his grave, while 'Owen Davies' ( Artro Morris ) walks away laughing. The Baron finds Carey's medal in his car, along with the address of a sauna bath. Here, amidst clouds of steam, he finds Carey, still alive, and offering to cut him in on a criminal operation. Carey is part of a team that intends stealing a fabulous collection of jewels. He wants the Baron to act as fence. The Baron refuses, so Carey has 'Cordelia' ( Sue Lloyd ) kidnapped. Unless he co-operates, she will die...
Another reviewer has commented on this episode's apparent similarity to Jules Dassin's 'Topkapi' ( 1964 ) and 'Charade' ( 1963 ). That was probably intentional. As well as spy stories, the other main source of inspiration for the show's plots were caper movies. Later in the series, we would see an attempt to nab the Crown Jewels from the Bank of England. The gang are a strange bunch indeed who are ( appropriately ) holed up in the 'House of Horrors' exhibit in a fun-fair. It turns out that Carey did not save the Baron's life; another soldier did, and Carey grabbed the honour. Interesting cast; Patricia Haines ( Michael Caine's first wife ) was 'Lola' in 'The Avengers' story 'Who's Who?', Paul Maxwell was 'Steve Tanner' ( who later married Elsie ) in 'Coronation Street' ), and Artro Morris ( particularly good as a creepy Welsh crook ) was the original 'Dad' in 'Citizen Smith' ( before being replaced by Peter Vaughan ). Nosher Powell is also one of the gang, called 'Charlie'.
Written by Terry Nation, and directed by John Moxey, this is a fun romp. Mannering is given a gadget by Templeton-Green ( whom he has taken to calling 'Temp' ) - a matchbox-sized radio transmitter. Which he manages to lose down a grating!
Another reviewer has commented on this episode's apparent similarity to Jules Dassin's 'Topkapi' ( 1964 ) and 'Charade' ( 1963 ). That was probably intentional. As well as spy stories, the other main source of inspiration for the show's plots were caper movies. Later in the series, we would see an attempt to nab the Crown Jewels from the Bank of England. The gang are a strange bunch indeed who are ( appropriately ) holed up in the 'House of Horrors' exhibit in a fun-fair. It turns out that Carey did not save the Baron's life; another soldier did, and Carey grabbed the honour. Interesting cast; Patricia Haines ( Michael Caine's first wife ) was 'Lola' in 'The Avengers' story 'Who's Who?', Paul Maxwell was 'Steve Tanner' ( who later married Elsie ) in 'Coronation Street' ), and Artro Morris ( particularly good as a creepy Welsh crook ) was the original 'Dad' in 'Citizen Smith' ( before being replaced by Peter Vaughan ). Nosher Powell is also one of the gang, called 'Charlie'.
Written by Terry Nation, and directed by John Moxey, this is a fun romp. Mannering is given a gadget by Templeton-Green ( whom he has taken to calling 'Temp' ) - a matchbox-sized radio transmitter. Which he manages to lose down a grating!