Adam Adamant Lives was a very 1960’s tales of a Victorian Adventurer frozen in 1902 and thawed out in the swinging sixties to combat crime.
Adam Adamant (Gerald Harper) was a popular hero of the Victorian age, lured into a trap by his arch rival the Evil Face he is entombed in a block of ice.
Over time Adam’s legend grows until in 1966 he is discovered and thawed out, finding his new world highly strange he is helped by the young and very trendy Georgina Jones (Juliet Harmer) and an ageing valet called Simms. (Jack May)
Adam soon got back into his adventuring ways, all the time adjusting to his new world of bright lights, loud music, dolly birds, The Beatles and The Stones. Season two brought back The Face for Adam to once more do battle with.
The show was made in black and white by the BBC and very few episodes still exist. The show is often cited as a BBC attempt to create an Avengers type show. In a nicely circular way Adam’s style of dress however would be a definite influence on the Jon Pertwee era of Doctor Who.
production details
UK / BBC-1 / 29×50 minute episodes / Broadcast 23 June 1966 – 25 March 1967 made in black and white
Creator: Donald Cotton, Richard Harris, / Script Editor: Tony Williamson / Theme Composer: David Lee / Sung by Kathy Kirby / Producer:Verity Lambert
cast
GERALD HARPER as Adam Adamant
JULIET HARMER as Georgina Jones
JACK MAY as William E. Simms
PETER DUCROW as The Face (season two)
THE EPISODES
SEASON ONE
16 Episodes / 23 June – 13 Oct 1966
1. A VINTAGE YEAR FOR SCOUNDRELS
Victorian adventurer Adam Adamant is discovered entombed in a block of ice by workmen in 1966. Revived he finds himself in an alien world. Young fan Georgina Jones takes him under her wing. Together they tangle with the evil Margot Kane.
Sir James……………………………… KENNETH BENDA
The Face………………………………. PETER DUCROW
Gramps………………………………… BARTLETT MULLINS
Hoggett………………………………… IVOR SLATER
Hicks…………………………………… FRANK JARVIS
Detective………………………………. JOBY BLANSHARD
Margot Kane………………………….. FREDA JACKSON
WRITER: Tony Williamson
DIRECTOR: David Proudfoot
2. DEATH HAS A THOUSAND FACES
Adam and Georgina investigate a murder on Blackpool’s golden mile.
Parky………………………………………… GEOFF HINSLIFF
Jeffreys……………………………………… MICHAEL ROBBINS
Susie……………………………………….. SHEILA FEARN
Danny………………………………………. PATRICK O’CONNELL
Madame Delvario………………………… STEPHANIE BIDMEAD
Kelvin ……………………………………… JOHN ROLFE
WRITER: Tony Williamson
DIRECTOR: Philip Dudley
3. MORE DEADLY THAN THE SWORD
After visiting a Japanese geisha house a government minister finds himself being blackmailed.
Sir Ernest Hampton…………………….. MAURICE HEDLEY
McLennon………………………………… BARRY LINEHAN
Suzu………………………………………. LUCILLE SOONG
Hitomi…………………………………….. MONA CHONG
Madame Nagata………………………… MARY WEBSTER
Ikezawa…………………………………… ANDY HO
Kodama………………………………….. YURI BORIENKO
Hiram……………………………………… GEOFFREY ALEXANDER
WRITER: Terence Frisby
DIRECTOR: Leonard Lewis
4. THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCESS
Adam investigates the secrets of a high pressure sales campaign that seems to be linked to something sinister.
Badenoch…………………………………. JOHN GATRELL
Kinthly…………………………………….. CHARLES TINGWELL
Sales Manager………………………….. BRYAN KENDRICK
Advertising Manager…………………… DAVID LANDER
Shani Mathieson……………………….. ADRIENNE CORRI
McLintock……………………………….. WILLIAM HURNDELL
Spalding…………………………………. JACK HOWLETT
WRITER: Robert Banks Stewart
DIRECTOR: Philip Dudley
5. ALLAH IS NOT ALWAYS WITH YOU
Investigating the last words of a dying girl leads Adam to become involved in a world of nightclubs and gambling.
Vargos……………………………………… KEVIN BRENNAN
Lukas………………………………………. NOSHER POWELL
Ahmed…………………………………….. DAVID SPENCER
Helen……………………………………… JENNIFER JAYNE
Fluffy………………………………………. VALERIE STANTON
Calvert…………………………………….. JOHN HOLLIS
Sheik……………………………………… JOHN WOODNUTT
WRITER: Tony Williamson
DIRECTOR: Paul Ciappessoni
6. THE TERRIBLY HAPPY EMBALMERS
A group of financiers appear to be dying twice.
Sir George Marston………………………. JOHN SCOTT
Wilson……………………………………… JEREMY YOUNG
Mr Percy………………………………….. ARTHUR BROUGH
Grantham…………………………………. DEREK GUYLER
Velmer……………………………………. JOHN LE MESURIER
George……………………………………. HAMILTON DYCE
Susan……………………………………… ILONA RODGERS
WRITER: Brian Clemens
DIRECTOR: Paul Ciappessoni
7. TO SET A DEADLY FASHION
Adam gets involved with murder and espionage when he enters the world of high fashion.
Oretta……………………………………….. NANCY NEVINSON
Major Fitzgibbon………………………….. BRYAN COLEMAN
Leo Dorvetti………………………………… ALAN FOSS
Janine………………………………………. GWENDOLYN WATTS
Roger Clair………………………………… COLIN JEAVONS
Mrs Smythe………………………………. AUDREY NOBLE
Howarth…………………………………… ALISTER WILLIAMSON
WRITER: Tony Williamson
DIRECTOR: Leonard Lewis
8. THE LAST SACRIFICE
Adam becomes involved in a murky world of black magic.
Huge Man……………………………….. KENNETH IVES
Esta Canfield…………………………… JENNIFER DANIEL
Statton………………………………….. GLYN DEARMAN
Lord Rufus Pearmain………………… WILLIAM DEXTER
James Denton…………………………. HUGH DICKSON
Minister…………………………………. JOHN DAWSON
Barber…………………………………… IAN FAIRBURN
WRITER: Richard Harris
DIRECTOR: Philip Dudley
9. SING A SONG OF MURDER
Adam and Georgina find themselves in the music business after Georgina is accused of trying to rob a bank.
Kinkhead……………………………………. MICHAEL STANDING
Sgt…………………………………………… DENIS CLEARY
Inspector…………………………………… MICHAEL BEINT
Melville…………………………………….. JEROME WILLIS
Chauffeur………………………………….. JAMES BURKE
Carson……………………………………… ALEX SCOTT
Felina………………………………………. ANNE KRISTEN
WRITER: John Pennington
DIRECTOR: Moira Armstrong
10. THE DOOMSDAY PLAN
Adam tangles with prophet of doom Dr Mort.
BBC Newsreader……………………….. KENNETH KENDALL
Dr Mort……………………………………. PETER VAUGHAN
Streek…………………………………….. ROY HANLON
Maddox………………………………….. ANDREW ROBERTSON
Hinchcombe……………………………. GEOFFREY LUMSDEN
Man With Parcel………………………. TALFRYN THOMAS
Samantha……………………………….. ISOBEL BLACK
WRITER: Richard Harris
DIRECTOR: Paul Ciapessoni
11. DEATH BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
A series of murders strike terror into the hearts of the financial capitals of the world.
Sandra Webb…………………………. PATRICIA HAINES
Phillippe Jervais………………………. COLIN VANCAO
Sir Nigel Dee………………………….. DAVID GARTH
Daniels………………………………… JOHN WALKER
Pamela Wentworth-Howe…………. CHRISTINE FINN
Charles Fellowes……………………. JAMES CAIRNCROSS
Von Reison…………………………… EDWARD PALMER
WRITER: Tony Williamson
DIRECTOR: Moira Armstrong
12. BEAUTY IS AN UGLY WORD
Adam enters the world of bodybuilders and beauty pageants when he learns of a plot that could destroy the Earth.
Ryan………………………………………. ESMOND WEBB
Petherbridge…………………………….. JOHN BADDELEY
Paul Carter………………………………. ANNETTE ANDRE
Max……………………………………….. EDDIE STACEY
Sinoda……………………………………. PETER JEFFREY
Victor…………………………………….. BARRY JACKSON
P.C. Mullins……………………………. JOHN McKELVEY
WRITERS: Vince Powell, Harry Driver
DIRECTOR: Philip Dudley
13. THE LEAGUE OF UNCHARITABLE LADIES
A murder leads Adam to a club in Pall Mall run by three strange old ladies.
Prudence……………………………… GERALDINE MOFFATT
Abstinence……………………………. EVE GROSS
Jarrot…………………………………… GERALD SIM
Charity………………………………… AMELIA BAYNTON
Hope…………………………………… SHEILA GRANT
Faith……………………………………. LUCY GRIFFITHS
Randolph……………………………… JOHN CARSON
WRITER: John Pennington
DIRECTOR: Ridley Scott
14. TICKET TO TERROR
Adam is called in when 400 train passengers disaapear into thin air.
Miss Caldwell…………………………… ANN LYNN
Dr Klein………………………………….. MAX ADRIAN
Susan Denby…………………………… JAN QUY
Harold……………………………………. REG LYE
Engineer………………………………… JACK BLIGH
George………………………………….. TOMMY EYTLE
Armitage……………………………….. MICHAEL BARRINGTON
WRITER: Dick Sharples
DIRECTOR: Tina Wakerell
15. THE VILLAGE OF EVIL
Even a quiet holiday ends with Adam getting involved in a sinister mystery involving a young boy and a lonely mill.
Joe………………………………………… CHRISTOPHER COLL
Dr Craigshaw……………………………. JOHN BAILEY
Mr Burke………………………………… TREVOR BAXTER
Myra Bamford………………………….. COLETTE O’NEILL
Daniel……………………………………. DINNY POWELL
Jerry Fletcher………………………….. LEN JONES
Mr Corbett……………………………… JOHN LAW
WRITERS: Vince Powell, Harry Driver
DIRECTOR: Anthea Browne-Wilkinson
16. D FOR DESTRUCTION
Adam rejoins his old regiment to investigate a series of accidents.
Sgt Maj Jeffers……………………….. MICHAEL RIPPER
Corp Grey……………………………… WALTER SPARROW
Bailey…………………………………… BRYAN MOSLEY
General Mongerson…………………. PATRICK TROUGHTON
Corp Jenkins…………………………. ANTHONY BLACKSHAW
Col Mannering……………………….. IAIN CUTHBERTSON
Major………………………………….. MICHAEL SHEARD
WRITER: Tony Williamson
DIRECTOR: Moira Armstrong
SEASON TWO
13 Episodes / 31 Dec 1966 – 25 Mar 1967
1. A SLIGHT CASE OF REINCARNATION
Adam has to protect an African leader from assassins and meets an old enemy.
Hinkaya……………………………………… HORACE JAMES
Hammond…………………………………… PATRICK KAVANAGH
Charlesworth………………………………. NORMAN PITT
Simpson…………………………………… JOHN CAZABON
Logan………………………………………. WILLIAM HURNDELL
Dr Sanderson…………………………….. PETER MADDEN
Dr Heindrick………………………………. MARTIN MILLER
Sir Charles Thetford…………………….. JOHN FRAWLEY
Louise……………………………………… MARY YOEMANS
Lady Thetford…………………………….. PEGGY ANN WOOD
WRITER: Tony Williamson / Story: Brian Clemens
DIRECTOR: Roger Jenkins
2. BLACK ECHO
Adam investigates a sinister country estate and again meets the dreaded Face.
Oil Delivery Man………………………….. KENNETH IVES
Sir Henry…………………………………… DONALD ECCLES
Sir George…………………………………. PETER BATHURST
Beardsley…………………………………. TREVOR BAXTER
Sergei………………………………………. BRIAN GILMAR
Ireyna………………………………………. JUDY PARFITT
Grand Duchess Vorokhov……………… GLADYS COOPER
WRITERS: Donald and Derek Ford
DIRECTOR: Moira Armstrong
3. CONSPIRACY OF DEATH
Adam investigates the murder of an old wartime colleague of Simms’.
Jankers Johnson………………………….. JOHN SCOTT MARTIN
Davison……………………………………… HAROLD GOODWIN
Onslow……………………………………… DEREK FARR
Penrose……………………………………. GEORGE WOODBRIDGE
Monique……………………………………. ANNETTE CARELL
Connelly……………………………………. DAVID BLAKE KELLY
Dolly………………………………………… FANNY CARBY
WRITERS: Vince Powell, Harry Driver
DIRECTOR: Roger Jenkins
4.THE BASARDI AFFAIR
Adam helps the ruler of oil rich country who is being intimidated.
Eileen Smith………………………………. SUZANNE MOCKLER
Sonia Fawzi………………………………. KATE O’MARA
Chauffeur…………………………………… JOE CORNELIUS
Sheik Abdul………………………………. ZIA MOHYEDDIN
Guard……………………………………… ROY STEWART
Prince Mahmud…………………………. SALMAAN PEER
Sir Robert………………………………… WILLIAM KENDALL
WRITER: Ian Stuart Black
DIRECTOR: Henri Safran
5. THE SURVIVORS
Adam investigates when inventors are being killed in sinister circumstances.
Minister……………………………………….. ANTHONY DAWES
Singleton……………………………………… EDWIN RICHFIELD
Mrs Granger…………………………………. ELIZABETH BENSON
Critchley……………………………………… ERIK CHITTY
Marty…………………………………………..ROY EVANS
Mrs Clasp…………………………………… HILDA FENEMORE
Blundell………………………………………. EDWARD EVANS
WRITERS: Vince Powell, Harry Driver
DIRECTOR: Moira Armstrong
6. FACE IN A MIRROR
The Face is determined to rid the world of Adam Adamant.
Farnley……………………………………….. GERALD HARPER
Gladwin………………………………………. EDWARD BRAYSHAW
Lady Lydia…………………………………… JEAN MARSH
Livingstone………………………………….. FRED McNAUGHTON
Hudson………………………………………. BILLY JOHN
Roach……………………………………….. BOB GODFREY
Baker………………………………………… BASIL DIGNAM
WRITER: John Pennington
DIRECTOR: Henri Safran
7. ANOTHER LITTLE DRINK
Georgina finds a new soft drink is not as sweet as it sounds.
Supervisor………………………………….. NORMAN WYNNE
Carol Shelley……………………………… SALLY BAZELY
Dr Loton……………………………………. MEREDITH EDWARDS
Yorke………………………………………. FREDERIC ABBOTT
Addison……………………………………. ROBERT McBAIN
D.K. Davies………………………………. PETER BOWLES
Guard………………………………………. MICHAEL GOLDEN
WRITER: Ian Stuart Black
DIRECTOR: Laurence Bourne
8. DEATH BEGINS AT SEVENTY
Adam and Simms investigate sinister happenings at an old folks home.
Timothy Henshaw……………………… GEORGE BENSON
Charlie Pearson………………………… WINDSOR DAVIES
Matron……………………………………. SHEILA BURRELL
Mary Smith……………………………… CYD HAYMAN
Dr Henry Heason……………………… KENNETH J. WARREN
Harry Newley………………………….. JOHN GLYN-JONES
Young Man…………………………….. BILL MACLEAN
WRITER: Dick Sharples
DIRECTOR: Ridley Scott
9. TUNNEL OF DEATH
Adam realises the Face is planning his biggest ‘event’ yet after Georgina is nearly arrested.
Sewerman…………………………………. TEX FULLER
Commissioner Hobson…………………. GEOFFREY CHATER
Scarlatti…………………………………… ARNOLD DIAMOND
Bruno……………………………………… KENNETH IVES
Constance……………………………….. GERALDINE NEWMAN
Brooke……………………………………. WALTER SPARROW
Barker…………………………………….. JEROLD WELLS
WRITER: Richard Waring
DIRECTOR: Moira Armstrong
10. THE DEADLY BULLET
Adam investigates following the murder of magician The Great Manton.
George Manton………………………….. HENRY GILBERT
Wanda Manton………………………….. SHEILA BRENNAN
Juanita…………………………………….. JILL CURZON
Carlos…………………………………….. GRAHAM CORRY
Oliver Meadows…………………………. NIGEL STOCK
Insp Foster……………………………….. BILL KERR
Pop Williams…………………………….. HAROLD BENNETT
WRITERS: Vince Powell, Harry Driver
DIRECTOR: Henri Safran
11. THE RESURRECTIONISTS
Are agents of the Face behind the sinister disappearance of a scientist.
Dr Morris Vaine…………………………… BERNARD KAY
Sara Linden……………………………….. WENDY GIFFORD
Mr Byers-Thompson…………………….. FRANK WILLIAMS
The Minister………………………………. PETER STEPHENS
Miss Coburn……………………………… SHEILA GRANT
Susan……………………………………… TRACEY CRISP
Mrs Withenshaw………………………… CICELY PAGET-BOWMAN
WRITERS: Derek and Donald Ford
DIRECTOR: Ridley Scott
12. WISH YOU WERE HERE
Simms uncovers a sinister plot when his mother is arrested for disturbing the peace.
Saville…………………………………………. PETER BIRREL
Mrs Simms…………………………………… HILDA BARRY
Sonia………………………………………….. MARION MATHIE
Lord Hawksmoor……………………………. MICHAEL GWYNN
Old Lady……………………………………… KITTY ATTWOOD
Hercules……………………………………… SKIP MARTIN
Matron………………………………………… TERRY RICHARDS
WRITER: James McTaggart
DIRECTOR: Moira Armstrong
13. A SINISTER SORT OF SERVICE
Is the Face behind a series of robberies.
Sir Nigel Dee………………………………. DAVID GARTH
Jason Lang…………………………………. T.P. McKENNA
Thomas…………………………………….. MARK MOSS
Miklo………………………………………… JOSEF ZARANOFF
Sandra Verrel……………………………… FRANCES CUKA
SS Girl……………………………………… CLARE JENKINS
Furrier………………………………………. DAVID KELLY
WRITER: Tony Williamson
DIRECTOR: Laurence Bourne
