Answer-The Persuaders
Question- Name a 1970’s fare with lots of action & intrigue, bell bottoms or flared pants, lady’s cropped shirts tied at the bottom, scarfs of all colors plus short tight fitting leather jackets-racing style and plenty of one witty banter.
The Persuaders are coming the TV Times proclaims. This show promised quality entertainment, scripts and lots of fun and in jokes. Charm, good looks and Roger and Tony both could throw a punch like no one else on screen. And guaranteed one up-man-ship.
Overture — full episode- the beginning of a beautiful partnership ….
One of the coolest buddy action adventure series and in fact one of the first in that genre, especially for TV. Not since Crosby and Hope with the “Road” pictures has there been such on-screen chemistry, each trying to one up another but when it comes to righting wrongs and delivering justice to evil doers all the while having each other’s back and don’t try to cross them.
I can only say thank you VEI for giving us Curtis and Moore together again- that’s Tony and Roger doing what they do best — solving crazy mysteries, industrial espionage and catching crooks, swindlers and even spies who are beyond the law. Two international playboys -Danny Wilde, a self-made millionaire and Lord Brett Sinclair, bouncing from one European city to the next -Rome, Monaco, London and the English countryside with awesome guest stars, cars and a bevy of girls along for the ride.
One episode to look for offering a hilarious “ride in the country” as Brett and Daniel try stop a kidnapping featuring witty one liners as they bopping about and bear in mind if looks a little similar to a scene from For Your Eyes Only. Entitled The Morning After guest starring Catherine Schell (Space 199 2nd season). It’s one of those stories where you wake up and can’t remember anything from the night before and now your married …well hello darling…I’m sure it’s happened to everyone. What happens in Stockholm stays in Stockholm or anywhere else for that matter.
And the women don’t always need rescuing ala “judo” girl-Emily Major as seen in this cool than cool scene.
The camaraderie on and off the set was evident and lent itself to the fun that the audiences were treated to each & every episode. Roger and Tony really had an amazing bond and chemistry on screen. See for your self in this wonderful video featuring behind the scenes including Roger having a go at directing several episodes.
Let’s not forget that John Barry, known for his brilliant composing and scoring the majority of the Bond films contributed a kick a** title theme and Ken Thorne(Superman II) provided the back ground music cues for the episodes ..
Keep in mind even though only two seasons/series the show itself was a smash and was it’s way to a third go round when Bond came knocking on Roger’s doorstep. And he couldn’t refuse. An attempt to go on with someone else stepping in for Roger was bounced discussed but Tony and crew said it would not work without Roger. That is dedication and a respect that Roger and Tony had between themselves and for each other. One can only wonder where the series would have gone to. We here in America were craving more of Moore and Curtis. I was actually watching them on Saturday nights. Originally The Persuaders had premiered it’s first season during the Week. Burt for me it hard to catch. So thank you ABC for the schedule change.
Promoting The Persuaders became even more important just based on what we had discussed above regarding Roger’s departure.
The marketing-
The Persuaders went on to become an international hit. People could not get enough. In fact so much so that their adventures turned up in comic books and TV magazines galore worldwide.
TV Action-was a fan mag produced in the United Kingdom and featured stories about Television shows and music. Aimed at an older audience and loaded with comic versions of popular action series including The Persuaders, Dr Who and Hawaii 5-o.. It ran from 1971–1973. It featured 3 stories per issue. There were 132 regular editions , Specials including two Holiday(each featured a short story)issues and 3 Annuals 72–74.
International scene- an Italian Persuaders comic.
and promoting overseas and throughout Europe many episodes were edited together to create feature length films and then distributed to various countries to either cash in on Curtis and Moore’s popularity and especially once Roger had become the next Bond after Sean Connery made his farewell permanent.
It also was a shrewd marketing ploy when introducing the series abroad has been a lot more than the most people realize. Just think back to Munster Go Home or Batman 66. In those cases the films were not complied episodes. But the Man From Uncle films of the mid to late ’60s were.
or check out Action TV (cult adventure TV)-Even today this series is still a hot subject and commodity. Getting it’s do in Action TV.
Fashions-
Below Danny’s leather jacket. So if you want to go in style here is one hot piece of pop culture.
I leave you with one thing to think about here as we pay tribute to one of the most iconic buddy action/comedy pairings. Roger and Tony brought laughter and fun to millions of fans and households the world over. Can you imagine a world without them or the Persuaders. I think we would have a less better off. I miss you guys except for the memories and the DVD/Bluray collections that are out there to give us a thrill and some good, honest entertainment. Thanks guys!!!!
So for now I say the next time a gold/burnt yellow Aston Martin DBS or a red Ferrari pulls up next to you at a stop light revs the engine and the driver just happens to be wearing a scarf. Be careful especially if there is a wink involved it just might be one of the Persuaders…
Related links and bonus material-
Left- an example of the comics from TV Action offering new adventures of Danny and Brett…
My Bond is My Word By Roger Moore-
Published by Harper Collins
The following book is loaded with all sorts of trivia and behind the scenes notes and words of wisdom from roger on almost every project he worked on including the Bond Franchise, The Saint and of course The Persuaders. Also he discusses his affiliation with U.N.I.C.E.F. He was a most giving and caring individual. Roger also was gifted with an amazing sense of wit and humor. I have read this several times and always discover something new each time.It is a must have for book lovers and fans of Roger.
Available at Amazon, Quick Reads digital and Harper Collins-
Link below will provide various sites and companies offering Roger Moore’s autobiography.
