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The Avengers

posted 9 years ago by wyanddeb
3 replies | jump to latest

Watching The Avenger's for the first time in 45 years. Perfectly silly at times, especially the fight scenes, but such a fun show. I had forgotten how lovely Diana Rigg was as Emma Peel. She and Patrick Macnee's chemistry is great and the script gives them plenty of banter. Their B&W episodes are terrific (the 1965/1966 season) and easily the show's peak. The budget for hair spray must have been significant, and of course, each episode features lots of closeups of Miss Peel, and since it's the 60's, the camera sometimes does a slow pan up and down her outfit. The producers obviously knew what the audience wanted (the male one anyway). The perfect show for a 60's teenage boy.

[–] GSPdude 9 years ago

Have you seen the seasons with Cathy Gale or Tara King as Steeds partner? Cathy Gale (Honor Blackman) was pre-emma. Those episodes were all B&W and more serious, hampered by a low budget, but I enjoyed them. Tara (Linda Thorsen) was post-emma and those episodes were as outrages as Emma's. I recalled not liking Tara when her episodes first aired (Emma was a tough act to follow), but not long ago Cozi TV ran the whole series and I now found Tara quite charming.
Incidentally, in the 1st season Steed briefly had 2 other partners before Cathy became a regular: a female nightclub singer and a male doctor.

[–] wyanddeb 9 years ago

I saw the Tara King episodes when first aired and will revisit those when I'm through with Emma. I vaguely recall the switch was not to my liking, but as you say, no one was likely to upstage Diana Rigg. Okay, maybe Julie Christie. Maybe. I've never seen any before Mrs. Peel.

[–] CanterburyTale 9 years ago

I adore The Avengers, especially the Emma Peel years.As you say, the chemistry between her and Steed was truly delightful. Poor Linda Thorson really stood very little chance of filing Diana Rigg's shoes, but her episodes are still enjoyable.The Peel/King episodes are on constant rotation in the U.K at the moment, but it would be interesting to see the Cathy Gale series' with another marvellous lady, Honor Blackman.

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