The Charmers

"The Charmers" was probably the best of the three Cathy Gale episodes that were remade in color with Diana Rigg, this one retitled "The Correct Way to Kill." George Vinkel (Peter Porteous), a friendly "enemy" of Steed's, is killed, and the opposition sends Martin (John Barcroft) over to kill Steed in exchange. Both agents realize that a third party is playing them off against each other, so Keller (Warren Mitchell, better than in his previous appearance in "The Golden Fleece"), agrees to partner one of his agents with Steed, who allows Cathy Gale to tag along with Martin. Unfortunately, Keller decides to double cross The Avengers by hiring a freelance actress, Kim Lawrence (Fenella Fielding), to partner with Steed (convinced he's simply an author of adventurous spy thrillers), knowing his weakness for beautiful women. All three stories had significant changes from the originals, particularly here, as the remake replaces the actress with a genuine female spy played by Anna Quayle, but both conclude at the same charm school. Sexy Fenella Fielding has many of the wittiest lines, perhaps the best dialogue of the Cathy Gale era (Patrick Macnee corrects his own blooper when he calls Mrs. Gale "Mrs. Jowl!"). Veteran actor Brian Oulton later appeared in "Love All," while Warren Mitchell, best remembered as Alf Garnett in the long running "Till Death Us Do Part," returned as a Russian ambassador (Vladimir Jiroslav Brodny) in both "Two's a Crowd" and "The See-Through Man."