The mood and imagery from this memorable episode stayed with me from my youth (when I saw it, and didn't know what was going on) until the present day. Watch the credits at the end, thanking the true Pirate Radio Station at the location, for their assistance. Bang on the internet and learn about that Pirate Radio station. The story has a terrific premise, plot line and character development. There is something bittersweet about this installment. It opens with Drake boating his way to the water-bound station. The mind behind that face is already thinking of The Prisoner. The DJ music is mostly made-up stuff, slapped together by the ITC music team. Watch for ironic word-plays in the music. Trisha Noble, (patsy ann noble), who plays the lady DJ, gets to air her catchy hit, "He, Who Rides a Tiger". Somewhere online, a letter from McGoohan to a fan recounts how the director fell ill, and McGoohan had to wrap up the filming. A portent of something excellent just over the Horizon. After this episode, DM transitions to season 4 (if you count the short ones as season 1). Only 2 episodes were filmed for season 4, in color, and something is missing. Ralph Smart is no longer producer, he is merely credited as the creator. McGooham resigns and The Prisoner is born. So I watch this episode, "Not So Jolly Roger," with a moody farewell on the tip of my tongue.
4 Reviews
The location for this episode makes it so interesting.
planktonrules1 May 2014
"Not So Jolly Roger" is an odd film in that it's based on an off-shore base that was created during WWII by the Brits. Some folks are using it as a pirate radio station, but apparently it's not just to slip it into the UK without licensing worries but because someone is using it to broadcast secrets to nearby enemy subs. Unfortunately, the last agent working there was caught and killed--so Drake has to be really convincing when he gets a job there as a disc jockey.
The best thing going for this one is the unusual locale as well as the interesting plot. But it also helps that Drake meets a woman I love. She's not only pretty but she's got spunk and is one tough lady! Overall, quite enjoyable and one of the better episodes.
The best thing going for this one is the unusual locale as well as the interesting plot. But it also helps that Drake meets a woman I love. She's not only pretty but she's got spunk and is one tough lady! Overall, quite enjoyable and one of the better episodes.
"Its quiet enough for a drum solo!"
ShadeGrenade5 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Tony Williamson's 'Not So Jolly Roger' was one of the last 'Danger Man' episodes made, and also one of the best. Andrews ( Christopher Sandford ), a disc jockey for Radio Jolly Roger, is murdered whilst sending an urgent message to London. John Drake ( Patrick McGoohan ) arrives by boat to take his place. It is run by Marco Jansen ( Edwin Richfield ) and his wife ( Lisa Daniely ). Drake discovers the station is passing stolen military secrets to the Russians. The playing of Strauss' 'Blue Danube' acts as a signal to a submarine. His cover blown, Drake is confronted by the brawny Mullins ( Andrew Faulds ). The fight ends with our hero falling from a great height into the sea...
The setting of a pirate radio station makes this a very ( for the time anyway ) topical story ( we will overlook the fact that Drake is rather too old to be a D.J. ). The episode is made more effective by being filmed on an abandoned World War 2 sea fort. Marco admits he never bought the place, but claimed it under maritime law. I did not recognise the songs used, but they sound good!
Among the cast are Wilfrid Lawson as a perpetually inebriated cook, and Patsy Ann Noble ( later to move to the States and change her name to 'Trisha' ) looks great in a woollen sweater as disc jockey 'Susan Wade'. Her song 'He Who Rides A Tiger' is heard at the beginning and end. 'Mullins' a.k.a. the late Andrew Faulds, later became a Labour M.P.!
Incidentally, 'Storm Over Rockall', a 1965 'Danger Man' novel by W.Howard Baker, also features skulduggery on a pirate radio station, but the two are unconnected.
The setting of a pirate radio station makes this a very ( for the time anyway ) topical story ( we will overlook the fact that Drake is rather too old to be a D.J. ). The episode is made more effective by being filmed on an abandoned World War 2 sea fort. Marco admits he never bought the place, but claimed it under maritime law. I did not recognise the songs used, but they sound good!
Among the cast are Wilfrid Lawson as a perpetually inebriated cook, and Patsy Ann Noble ( later to move to the States and change her name to 'Trisha' ) looks great in a woollen sweater as disc jockey 'Susan Wade'. Her song 'He Who Rides A Tiger' is heard at the beginning and end. 'Mullins' a.k.a. the late Andrew Faulds, later became a Labour M.P.!
Incidentally, 'Storm Over Rockall', a 1965 'Danger Man' novel by W.Howard Baker, also features skulduggery on a pirate radio station, but the two are unconnected.
Great location-good episode and two sweater busters
jameselliot-115 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The exteriors make this episode very memorable as well as two beauties, Lisa Daniely from Invisible Man and Patsy Ann Noble (later Trisha Noble), busty Australian pop singer and man-killer in the movie Death Is A Woman. As another reviewer wrote, Noble's real-life record is played in this episode, a neat touch. The fighting is ridiculous. Drake is thrown off the rusting sea derrick, doesn't die or break his back and climbs back up to have another bruiseless punchout with the spies' goon. Instead of killing him, the spies tie him up so he can escape and beat everyone up.
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