Position of Trust (23 Oct. 1960)

A corrupt Arabian government is selling opium directly to wholesalers, and secret agent John Drake hopes to halt their trade. He visits the country and strategically befriends Captain ... See full summary »

Director:

Ralph Smart

Writers:

Jo Eisinger (screenplay), Ralph Smart (story)

Stars:

Patrick McGoohan, Donald Pleasence, Lois Maxwell

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Patrick McGoohan	...	John Drake
Donald Pleasence	...	Captain Aldrich
Lois Maxwell	...	Sandi Lewis
John Phillips	...	Paul
Gil Winfield	...	Alison (as Gilbert Winfield)
Irene Prador	...	Mrs. Aldrich
Martin Benson	...	Fawzi
Madeleine Kasket	...	Mrs. Fawzi
Derek Godfrey	...	Casino Manager
Derrick Sherwin	...	Aly

Storyline

A corrupt Arabian government is selling opium directly to wholesalers, and secret agent John Drake hopes to halt their trade. He visits the country and strategically befriends Captain Aldrich, an Englishman and minor official at the Ministry of Health. Drake coaxes Aldrich into losing a large sum of money, then offers help in exchange for a list of opium buyers. Aldrich believes he is doing the right thing and helps Drake to the records. But while photographing the necessary information, Drake's camera is confiscated by the authorities.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 October 1960 (UK)

Filming Locations:

MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Patrick McGoohan was one of several actors considered for the role of James Bond in Dr. No but the two guest stars of this episode, Lois Maxwell and Donald Pleasence went on to star in You Only Live Twice. Maxwell had a long run as Miss Moneypenny and Pleasence was one of many actors to portray the villain Ernst Blofeld.

User Reviews

Better than Bond

One of the motifs that I recall from the 60's Secret Agent series was Drake (Patrick McGoohan)befriending some low level guy in an organization and then blackmailing him to get information. This is what happens here. It is quite neat as McGoohan pretends to be from the same college as Donald Pleasence, a low level clerk in the ministry of health in some Far Eastern ex-British colony. Drake's trying to get information on opium smuggling going on in the ministry. He does a great con job on Pleasence.

Also of interest, in this episode, besides Pleasance, we have Lois Maxwell, well known as the early Miss Pennymoney from the 1960's to the 1980's in the James Bond series. Here she helps Drake run his scam, and playing a role not terribly far from Miss Pennymoney. This is another case of the Bond series stealing/borrowing from "Danger Man."

Donald Pleasence was a great actor. He had a recurring role as Prince John in the Robin Hood series of the 1950's and gave memorable performances in films like "Repulsion," "Halloween" and "the Great Escape"

Drake is a little bit more emotional and involved in this episode than usual. He talks a bit about how bad he feels for his friend's daughter who has become a drug addict. It is nice to hear him express his actual opinions, something you never get in Bond.