Episode 126: Emma Peel Era
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A.K.A.
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Other Viewpoints |
Le village de la mort
Willkommen im Dorf des Todes
Benvenuti a Little Storping
(Welcome to Little Storping)
El Pueblo de la Muerte
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Production completed: 25 August 1967
UK Premiere (London, Season 6): 10 November 1967
US Premiere (New York, Season 3): 7 February 1968
Whilst driving a childhood friend
to his new home, Emma stumbles upon Little Storping in the Swuff, a village wherein the
entire population is in the murder business: if you want someone disposed of, just drop
them off in town and the friendly folks of Little Storping will take care of the rest.
IMHO |
One of the high points of the second season. Of note, Emma is given a bit of back story in the form of a childhood friend, and we are treated to an intense, heretofore unexplored emotional side of her. Then there's Emma's gut-wrenching attack on the doctor with a phone, the harrowing pond-dunking sequence, Steed freeing Emma from a chastity belt ("I told them you were a whiz with locks"), and the pie-fight in the library. What a great episode! Oh, and don't forget poor Hilary...
Trivia |
Of course, you recognize Steed and Emma's "children"—Julian, Albert, Gordon and baby Brian? Julian Wintle, Executive Producer; Albert Fennell, Producer; Gordon L.T. Scott (a studio exec who became Executive in Charge of Production for the Tara King episodes); and Brian Clemens, Producer.
Did you notice the iron maiden in the museum? It was formerly part of the "Castle De'Ath" collection. Also, the two-liner is the only one that places Emma before Steed.
According to a BBC biography, the scold's bridle worn by Hilary, the "real" telephone operator (Hilary Dwyer), "...caused Miss Dwyer acute discomfort. She was, in fact, close to tears, until some adjustments were made on the set. Eventually, however, she got quite used to it, and did not even bother to remove it between takes."
For the musically-inclined, you might notice a similarity between the opening notes of the episode's score and those of Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Fantasia on Greensleeves," a consummately British classical composition based on an English folksong. With thanks to Mark Koldys.
Is it a "rule-breaker" or not? There are two policemen in this episode: a fake in uniform, and his real counterpart out of uniform.
Finally, this is the very definition of trivia: I believe this is the only episode where the subtitle (Emma Marries Steed/Steed Becomes a Father) places Emma first.
On Location |
Aldbury was the principal shooting location (which also appeared as Swingingdale in "Dead Man's Treasure"). Stock's Hotel served as Croft's house. On Location provides present-day images of both, as well as the pub in front of which the teaser takes place.
Best Scene |
Emma's legendary phone call to Steed is to die for. "Johnsy-wonsy's fine!"
Best Line |
So many great lines from which to choose. For example, Steed describes to Emma how the bartender came after him with a twelve-bore when he mentioned her name. "And I hadn't even criticized the beer."
Essential Reading |
- Mrs. Peel... We're Needed by Piers Johnson