In 1978 ITC decided to revive their much loved Saint franchise with Ian Olgilvy in the lead, this time out although The Saint is still an adventurer always ready to save the country from crisis or help a damsel in distress there was a little more realism with actual location shooting and even one or two actual visits abroad.
Whilst still heavy on the Roger Mooresque suaveness and derring do Ian Olgilvy’s Saint is a little more action oriented with episodes featuring a plot to blow up London, Arab terrorists, drug rings and assassinations (of course there is also plenty of Saint saving girl in peril style storylines too!).
With its great 70′s fashions and concerns and a feel similar to shows such as The New Avengers or The Professionals The Return of the Saint is excellent. There is also great fun to be had in playing spot the famous guest stars, and this series attracted quite a large volume of them including the likes of Carolyn Seymour, Britt Ekland, Judy Geeson, Rula Lenska, George Cole, Joss Ackland, Jenny Hanley, Linda Thorson and even the great Derren Nesbitt to name just a few.
The series was revived for one more short run in 1988 with Simon Dutton in the lead.
production details
UK / ITV Network – ITC – Tribune – RAI / 24×60 minute episodes / Broadcast 10 September 1978 – 11 March 1979
Character Creator: Leslie Charteris / Executive Producer: Robert S. Baker / Producer: Anthony Spinner
cast
Ian Olgivy as Simon Templar
THE EPISODES
ONE SEASON 10 September 1978 – 11 March 1979
1. THE JUDAS GAME (10 Sep 78)
2. THE NIGHTMARE MAN (17 Sep 78)
3. DUEL IN VENICE (24 Sep 78)
4. ONE BLACK SEPTEMBER (1 Oct 78)
5. THE VILLAGE THAT SOLD ITS SOUL (8 Oct 78)
6. ASSAULT FORCE (15 Oct 78)
7. YESTERDAY’S HERO (22 Oct 78)
8. THE POPPY CHAIN (29 Oct 78)
9. THE ARRANGEMENT (5 Nov 78)
10. THE ARMAGEDDON ALTERNATIVE (12 Nov 78)
11. THE IMPRUDENT PROFESSOR (19 Nov 78)
12. SIGNAL STOP (26 Nov 78)
13. THE ROMAN TOUCH (3 Dec 78)
14. TOWER BRIDGE IS FALLING DOWN (10 Dec 78)
15. THE DEBT COLLECTORS (17 Dec 78)
16. COLLISION COURSE 1 – THE BRAVE GOOSE (7 Jan 79)
17. COLLISION COURSE 2 – THE SIXTH MAN (14 Jan 79)
18. HOT RUN (21 Jan 79)
19. THE MURDER CARTEL (28 Jan 79)
20. THE OBONO AFFAIR (4 Feb 79)
21. VICIOUS CIRCLE (11 Feb 79)
22. DRAGONSEED (25 Feb 79)
23. APPOINTMENT IN FLORENCE (4 Mar 79)
24. THE DIPLOMAT’S DAUGHTER (11 Mar 79)
