There are few small differences to how the series finally turned out, but it was still an enjoyable sixties spy yarn.
Robert Vaughn is the suave UNCLE agent Napoleon Solo, with hair so slick you could run your car on it!
Del Florias is still the way in to UNCLE HQ
David McCallum appears briefly as Illya Kuryakin, but as the original format didn't feature a sidekick for Solo he doesn't get much to do. He also sports the badge no. 17, rather than the more familiar no.2.
In Solo, UNCLE is run by Mr Allison, played by Will Kuluva, rather than Leo G. Carroll's, Mr Waverly. Rumour has it that an executive didn't want the 'K' character. Sam Rolfe, who created the show thought they'd meant Mr Kuluva, however it transpired they'd meant the Russian, Illya Kuryakin!
Solo, whose episode title was 'The Vulcan Affair' was re-edited to create the feature film, To Trap A Spy.
Another point of interest is the main antagonists were originally to be called WASP, however over in Britain some guy called Gerry Anderson was already using the acronym in 'Stingray', so WASP became THRUSH.
"Open Channel D"
Maybe I'm mistaken, but I seem t remember that Thrush was dubbed over as Wasp in the 'movie' version.
ReplyDeleteYou're not mistaken Kid, my version also has the characters say thwasp!
DeleteOops - 'to remember', not 't remember'.
DeleteOops - 'to remember', not 't remember'.
DeleteYes, loved the series, and enjoyed the rerun on BBC2 a few years ago. don't need to see the film, though.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the film front Andy. I won't be going to see it at the cinema. I'm quite happy with the original series.
DeleteNot fussed about the film either. Didn't see the Avengers remake. I suppose these remakes are aimed squarely at a new younger generation. Wouldn't mind a new UNCLE attache case toy if they bring one out though!
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