Connect with us

Features

Classic TV Revisited: The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Published

on


The Man From UNCLE was a spy serial inspired by James Bond, about agents of the United Network Command for Law Enforcement saving the world from the crime syndicate THRUSH. Basically an American James Bond-clone, with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humour.

Appearance?
Spy yarn in which agents of the United Network Command for Law Enforcement saved the world from the crime syndicate THRUSH.

Why was it so good?
The brilliant pairing of Robert Vaughn and David McCallum as agents Napoleon Solo and Ilya Kuryakin and their irritable boss Alexander Waverly (Leo G Carroll).

How did it start?
Prompted by the film success of James Bond, his creator Ian Fleming was invited by US TV bosses to pen a small-screen spy serial.Fleming, who created Napoleon Solo, died before filming began and his work was completed by producer Sam Rolfe.At the height of the Cold War, Rolfe dreamed up the idea of an American agent and a Russian working together in harmony.

Advertisement

What was it about?
The organisation’s HQ was hidden by the secret wall of a New York tailors from which Solo and Kuryakin would emerge each week to tackle a different case.It always involved some innocent in peril at the hands of the crime empire THRUSH – The Technological Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesirables and the Subjugation of Humanity.Inevitably, the fate of the world would rest on Solo and Kuryakin being successful.

Didn’t it annoy the head of the FBI?
Papers recently published reveal that J Edgar Hoover loathed it as he received thousands of letters from UNCLE fans convinced it was a real organisation.

Did Hoover brush this mail under the carpet?
In a way. He dispatched terse rejection letters to young fans saying: “There’s no government agency which performs the functions portrayed in this programme.”This type of activity must be left to authorised, competent and highly-trained police officers.”

Distinguishing features?
There was plenty of spoof gadgetry used by Solo and Kuryakin who spoke the show’s most most famous line “Open Channel D” while using their radio-receiver pens.There was also the UNCLE Special Pistol which converted into a rifle or machine-gun. The dynamic duo drove around in a blue two-seater Piranha coupe.Jerry Goldsmith composed the catchy theme which was performed differently in each of the four series.

Advertisement

What happened to Robert Vaughn?
Vaughn was already a star from The Magnificent Seven when he made UNCLE.Later came The Protectors with Nyree Dawn Porter in the 1970s followed by dozens of films, including The Towering Inferno and later TV series Hustle.

What about David McCallum?
The Scots-born star of The Great Escape, teamed up with Joanna Lumley in Sapphire And Steel and starred in TV’s The Invisible Man. He’s found a nice little niche in long running crime drama NCIS.

Who else was in it?
Guest stars included Joan Crawford, Boris Karloff, Joan Collins and Star Trek duo William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.

How long did it last?
It ran for 105 episodes. Each episode had the word Affair in the title.

Advertisement

Such as?
The My Friend The Gorilla Affair; The Yo-Ho-Ho And A Bottle Of Rum Affair; The Concrete Overcoat Affair and The Indian Affairs Affair.

Not to be confused with
The Man From Auntie, Auntie’s Bloomers.


Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

Road Wars Road Wars
News17 seconds ago

Road Wars, March 19, 2024, A&E, “All Blocked Off”

Prepare for intense action in the upcoming episode of Road Wars, titled “All Blocked Off,” airing on A&E on Tuesday,...

Customer Wars Customer Wars
News47 seconds ago

Customer Wars, March 19, 2024, A&E, “Homeowner vs. Handyman”

Prepare for unexpected confrontations and thrilling moments in Customer Wars’ upcoming episode titled “Homeowner vs. Handyman,” airing on A&E on...

Chopped Chopped
News1 min ago

Chopped, March 19, 2024, Food Network, “Truffle Kerfuffle”

Food Network presents an exciting new episode of Chopped called “Truffle Kerfuffle” airing on Tuesday, March 19th at 8:00 PM....

Wildcard Kitchen Wildcard Kitchen
News3 mins ago

Wildcard Kitchen, March 19, 2024, Food Network, “Italian Night Out”

Get ready for an exciting and unpredictable culinary adventure on Food Network’s Wildcard Kitchen. In the upcoming episode titled “Italian...

Restoring Galveston Restoring Galveston
News3 mins ago

Restoring Galveston: The Inn, March 19, 2024, Magnolia, “Welcome Inn”

Magnolia Network invites viewers to witness the transformation of Michael and Ashley’s historic inn in an all-new episode of Restoring...

Fixer to Fabulous Fixer to Fabulous
News4 mins ago

Fixer to Fabulous: Italiano, March 19, 2024, HGTV, “Stone House Surprises”

Experience the allure of Italy through the eyes of Dave and Jenny Marrs as they return for an exciting episode...

Renovation Aloha Renovation Aloha
News5 mins ago

Renovation Aloha, March 19, 2024, HGTV, “Historic Hawaiian Finds”

Discover the vibrant world of house flipping in the stunning backdrop of Honolulu, Hawaii with Renovation Aloha. In the latest...

House Hunters International House Hunters International
News6 mins ago

House Hunters International, March 19, 2024, HGTV, “Moving for Maori Culture in Hamilton, New Zealand”

House Hunters International takes viewers on a global real estate journey filled with cultural exploration and unique challenges. In an...

Great British Menu Great British Menu
News13 hours ago

The Finals: Starters, Great British Menu, 18 March 2024, BBC Two

Get ready for the brand new episode of Great British Menu, as national finals week kicks off with the starters...

Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Spain Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Spain
News13 hours ago

Series Premiere, Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain, 18 March 2024, BBC One

In the premiere episode of the brand new series “Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain,” Strictly Come Dancing stars Anton...

Panorama Panorama
News13 hours ago

Paying More for Less: Councils in Crisis, Panorama, 18 March 2024, BBC One

In the latest episode of Panorama, titled “Paying More for Less: Councils in Crisis,” viewers will be taken behind the...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News14 hours ago

Whites Only: Ade’s Extremist Adventure, 18 March 2024, Channel 4

In a thought-provoking and enlightening new documentary titled “Whites Only: Ade’s Extremist Adventure,” airing on Channel 4 on Monday 18...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News14 hours ago

24 Hours in A&E, 18 March 2024, Channel 4, “Season 32 Episode 3”

In the latest episode of Channel 4’s “24 HOURS IN A&E,” viewers are taken inside Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham,...

George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations
News14 hours ago

Chiltern Hills Barber Shop, George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations, 18 March 2024, Channel 4

In the latest episode of Channel 4’s “George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations,” architect George Clarke continues to showcase the inspiring stories of...

Traffic Cops Traffic Cops
News14 hours ago

Traffic Cops, 18 March 2024, Channel 5, “Season 13, Episode 14”

In the latest episode of Channel 5’s “Traffic Cops,” viewers will once again be taken on a gripping journey alongside...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News14 hours ago

Coma Series Premiere, 18 March 2024, Channel 5

In the series premiere of the four part Channel 5 drama “Coma,” viewers are introduced to Simon, a devoted family...

Popular