Talking Pictures TV

[cutback73]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

cutback, did you watch this past Sunday evening's repeat of the first episode "The Talented Husband"?

Also, was the Champions episode "Desert Journey" made by a different production company/team? This episode won't be included with the others in Talking Pictures TV's repeat run. When I checked the IMDb section for the show, I think it said something about the production of this episode (and yet it had the same main cast).

I have been watching the first episode of The Saint tonight.

I also have the DVD set release from about 2006. The broadcast quality on TPTV suggested to me that it was using the same masters as the DVD set. It didnt look like a "new print" to my layman's eyes.

The dvd set has an interesting and amusing audio commentary on the episode with Robert S Baker (who forgets names easily!) Johnny Goodman and Ken Baker, all involved with production.

The story about the car is well known (they couldn't persuade anyone to lend them a car, Roger offered to buy a Jaguar Mark 10 to be used, they went to Jaguar and were told "we have an 18 month waiting list, we dont need to sell more cars". Someone involved saw the Volvo, Roger went to their showroom and came back with car ordered and Volvo offering an interior mock up for shooting.

Robert S Baker got 3month free option on the rights from Leslie Charteris and tried to sell the show to Redifussion, who balked at suggested cost £15k per episode. Got in contact with Lew Grade at ITC who snapped it up (and funded £20k per episode).

Lew Grade suggested Patrick McGoohan for the lead role (who had recently done Danger Man for ITC). Bob Baker had a fractious meet with him. Someone suggested Roger Moore instead who was filming a movie in Italy (... the Sabine Women). Sent him the pilot script. Got an immediate reply.

The first episode had a great cast and a clever story. Surprised not to see Mrs Jafferty listed in the credits 😂

I live near Cookham where the episode was filmed and have been to The Ferry Hotel by the bridge numerous times! The high street where the butchers was located hasn't changed much building wise. A nightmare for parking though.

PS Based on the above, I can't work out whether the opening of episode 2 was filmed before Roger came back to the UK although it is probably trick photography 🤔

PPS The theme tune on Heritage Chart Show was bloody annoying being so loud. Can't see me watching it again anyway.