The Obono Affair (4 Feb. 1979)

The Saint is reluctant to act as bodyguard to the ruthless African president Obono. However he agrees to help the president's daughter Mora to discover who has kidnapped her little brother.... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Sasdy

Writer:

Michael Pertwee (screenplay)

Stars:

John Atkinson, Thomas Baptiste, Robert Gillespie

Cast

Episode credited cast:
John Atkinson	...	Jim Batley
Thomas Baptiste	...	President Obono
Robert Gillespie	...	Fred Batley
Jack Hedley	...	Colonel Dyson
Oscar James	...	Mombasa
Willie Jonah	...	The Killer
Marjie Lawrence	...	Rose
Paul J. Medford	...	Joey (as Paul Medford)
Derek Newark	...	Wright
Muriel Odunton	...	Mora
Ian Ogilvy	...	Simon Templar
Jason Rose	...	Publican
Jerome Willis	...	Inspector Thornton

Storyline

The Saint is reluctant to act as bodyguard to the ruthless African president Obono. However he agrees to help the president's daughter Mora to discover who has kidnapped her little brother. The President's English aide, Colonel Dyson, a former S.A.S. officer seems to be a likely suspect.

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Genres:

Adventure | Crime

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 February 1979 (UK)

Filming Locations:

EMI Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

The desperate dictator

Another adventure where The Saint stays at home.

A ruthless African President called Obono ( Thomas Batiste ) is in London, and fears that attempts will be made on his life. He has hired someone to pose as a double, but thinking it won't be enough, wants Simon Templar to act as bodyguard. The Saint refuses.

Obono's young son Joey ( Paul J.Medford ) is kidnapped and unless his father releases political prisoners, will die. One of the kidnappers is Rose ( Marjje Lawrence ) who harbours a grudge against Obono after he expelled her years ago from his country...

Good Michael Pertwee story. It has a major flaw though; a character like 'Obono' would in all probability not have been allowed into Britain. He appears to have been inspired by the late despot Idi Amin, a lunatic and mass murderer who became a figure of fun in the U.K. after crowning himself 'King of Scotland' even though he had never visited the place. The Saint rejects his job offer, but when Joey gets abducted decides to help out. Obono is dying and plans to retire in favour of his daughter. Jack Hedley plays 'Colonel Dyson', his security chief. Hedley was 'Colonel Preston' in the B.B.C.'s wartime drama 'Colditz' and 'Alan Haldane' in the fondly remembered 'Who Pays The Ferryman?'. Muriel Odunton was 'Susan' in the late '70's L.W.T. sitcom about a mixed marriage - 'Mixed Blessings'.

Things To Look Out For - the sign near Heathrow Airport that says: 'Welcome To Britain In Our Jubilee Year'. Should give you an idea when the episode was made!