Episode 27: Cathy Gale Era
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A.K.A.
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Other Viewpoints |
Mission à Montréal
Misión A Montreal
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Production completed: 12 May 1962
UK Premiere (London, Season 2): 27 October 1962
US Premiere (A&E cable): ca. 31 February 1991
When the stand-in for a boozy sex-symbol film
star is murdered, the actress quits her job and takes a cruise to get away from it all. Aboard the ship,
she is confronted by her husband, the ship's Captain, who pressures her to turn over the stolen microfilm
she is carrying. When she has second thoughts, she drags Dr. King into the quagmire.
IMHO |
Alas, there are only two things that manage to keep this one afloat (ahem): First, Patricia English, who proves here that she would have been a worthy successor to Diana Rigg, turns in a classic performance. And second, Venus Smith isn't in it. The relationship between Steed and Dr. King is best described as ambiguous: King is not being used in quite the same way that Venus is, but he's also not a full player like Cathy. It has just enough good moments to keep your eyes open, while a few moments inspire unintentional laughter. Production quality is so-so, although direction is quite good—not surprising, given who is at the helm (sorry, couldn't resist).
Trivia |
Strictly speaking, this is not a "Cathy Gale" episode, even though it was broadcast as part of the UK's second season. After Ian Hendry left, Jon Rollason was brought in as a replacement for three leftover Keel scripts, before Honor Blackman was signed on.
Gillian Muir, who played Judy, was the daughter of Douglas Muir, who appeared five times as One-Ten.
The studio paperwork for this episode identifies it as "Project 3500." Some scenes were pre-recorded on 11 May 1962 in advance of the main recording. The episode's working title, "Gale Force," gives rise to many questions! Coincidence?
*This unofficial subtitle is by Yours Truly.
Essential Reading |
- The Avengers Declassified by Alan Hayes
- Mrs. Peel... We're Needed by Piers Johnson