Secret Agent 

John Drake is a special operative for M19, specialising in security assignments against any subversive element which threatened world peace.

Stars:

Patrick McGoohan, Peter Madden, Earl Cameron

Cast

Series cast summary:
Patrick McGoohan	...	John Drake 48 episodes, 1964-1967

Storyline

Coming at approximately the same time as James Bond, ITC's Danger Man (known as Secret Agent in the states) is the complete antithesis, with the calm, icy-cool demeanour of British M9 agent, John Drake. Whereas Bond was all flash, Drake (who never carried a gun, he felt them to be'noisy, and they can hurt someone') instead used his brain, and is very adept at defending himself with his hands), also eschewed having the 'babe of the week', or even having Drake involved with a woman. The show (which had initially been a 1960-61 half-hour series, also under the same title, and character name, but was slightly'retconned'when it became an hour-long series) became an international hit, and helped propel series' lead, Patrick McGoohan to international fame (in fact, Mr McGoohan was twice offered the role of James Bond, and twice refused. The first time, he declined, but recommended a friend of his; Sean Connery). Unlike many other spy series at this time, Danger Man was not a comedy, nor did ...

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Plot Keywords:

1960s | gadget | sequel | spy | espionage | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 April 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Secret Agent

Filming Locations:

MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

49 min (47 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White (seasons 1-3) Color (season 4)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

All or nearly all of the first season's episodes have the same prop; an ornate lamp that has what appears or have three cherubs on the base.

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Crazy Credits

Episode titles appear at the end of the episode opening credits, rather than at the beginning.

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Alternate Versions

Besides the theme song, other changes were made to the credits between the UK and US versions. In the UK version each episode starts with a very brief opening credits sequence introducing Patrick McGoohan. The teaser follows, and then after the commercial break the rest of the theme (High Wire) is heard as episode credits roll. The US version eliminates pre-teaser credits (except in the very first episode), inserting the "Secret Agent Man" credits after the teaser in the usual location (for US programs).

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Connections

Referenced in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

User Reviews

Superb series.

Taken as a whole, "Danger Man" is one of the finest Television series of its era. Patrick McGoohan did an excellent job portraying British Intelligence Agent John Drake, providing a frankly refreshing alternative to the James Bond type character of the Spy genre.

Danger Man consisted of 4 seasons done in a somewhat unusual manner. In the first season, televised 1960-1961, John Drake is a NATO intelligence officer working for the UN in New York. There were 39 half-hour episodes filmed in black and white. The series was cancelled after this first season and it was not until 1964 that it was reprised (because of the "spy craze" of that time) for its second season. John Drake no longer works for NATO but rather for the British Government intelligence agency "M9". The shows are also now 1 hour episodes, and for seasons 2 & 3 (combined total 45 episodes) are filmed in black and white. The fourth season consists of only 2 1-hour episodes that are filmed in color (or is it "Colour" :-)?

The character of John Drake is one of a spy with morals. He doesn't use women, rarely carries a gun much less uses one, and prefers to think his way through his missions. He is no weakling however ( McGoohan is 6' 2.5") and knows how to handle himself very well in hand-to-hand fighting. He is adept at several languages and reasonably good at disguises. The gadgetry is more sparse and more believable than that found in the Bond films, with the most common spy accessories being a camera hidden in a cigarette lighter, and an electric razor that doubles as a tape recorder. He is sometimes at odds with his superiors when they request him to do things that he considers immoral or dishonorable and pays the price for doing what he sees as right.

When aired in the US, a different opening sequence and song was added. Originally the series title of "Danger Man" was going to be retained but at the last moment it was deemed that "Secret Agent" would catch a bigger share of the US audience. The famous "Secret Agent" song sung by Johnny Rivers had its refrain originally phrased for "Danger Man" but then had to be changed to "Secret Agent MAN" to work.

As of this writing, A&E Home Video has brought to DVD region 1 (USA/Canada) the first 38 episodes of Seasons 2&3. It is hoped they will pubish the remaining 7 Season 3 episodes and the 2 Season 4 episodes, and it is the personal hope of this author that the will then consider to publish the original 39 half hour episodes of Season 1.

Patrick McGoohan stopped doing Danger Man because he thought the stories had run their course and because he wanted to do his own unique project, which became the legendary series "The Prisoner". There has been ongoing rumor that a Prisoner Movie is in the make, with McGoohan having the hand at writing the script, and possibly directing and staring in a cameo role. To Patrick, your fans hope in relation to this project, that one more time we can all "Be seeing you".