RICHARD BRADFORD: MORE THAN A MAN IN A SUITCASE

Following the sad passing of actor, Richard Bradford  on March 22, here’s a brief look at his early career up to his landmark ITC series, Man in a Suitcase, which is something many cult TV fans like me will forever remember this fine actor for.

Richard Edwin Bradford was born in Tyler, Texas in 1937.

He attended Texas A & M on a football scholarship, and later, the University of Texas with the hopes of becoming a professional Baseball player. Things didn't work out, but by then he had been bitten by the acting bug.

He did have a problem – his hair, which had begun to go grey from the age of sixteen.  After pulling them out one by one, he faced a losing battle and eventually decided to let nature have its way.

He managed to pay his way through drama school at New York’s Actors Studio by working as a waiter-cum-host and living cheaply, and in 1964 he graduated as a trained professional.

His break came after a meeting with another Actors Studio member, director Arthur Penn who cast Richard in the film ‘The Chase’, which starred legendary method actor, Marlon Brando, someone whose style Richard admired.

Richard’s appearance in The Chase brought him to the attention of ITC Entertainment and Lew Grade who cast him as ex CIA agent, McGill in ‘Man in a Suitcase’

Man in a Suitcase which came out in 1967 was a replacement for Dangerman, which final season of just two episodes was curtailed when star, Patrick McGoohan  moved on to work on his landmark series, The Prisoner.

Man in a Suitcase, and the brooding character of McGill was perfect for Bradford.  He worked on the characterisation of the complex McGill, who is the victim of betrayal and deceit, and is often depicted as the fall guy for his spymasters.

 Bradford also wanted the series to have a more realistic look and a level of violence not generally seen in other ITC action series of the time.  

McGill  is regularly seen being beaten up or shot, and spending the end of an episode either  staggering off dazed and confused to retrieve his precious suitcase, the only thing he owns, or unconscious in hospital covered in bandages.

His choice of car was not the usual flashy sports coupe so popular with ITC's other action heroes. McGill  was usually driving a low key  Hillman Imp.

As Man in a Suitcase was primarily aimed at an older audience the only merchandise released at the time was a paperback book called ‘The Sleeping Cupid’, an original novel written by E.C. Whitney.

Barry Gray also recorded a version of the distinctive theme music, written by Ron Grainer for a Century 21 Record.

Controversially for some fans, Chris Evans used the original theme in 1996 for his TFI Friday show and continues to play it regularly (along with the theme to 1960’s ITC series The Champions, written by Tony Hatch) on his breakfast show on Radio 2.

In 1986, The Smiths used a photo of McGill for the sleeve of the single, ‘Panic’.

During an interview for the Network DVD released in 2008, Richard did express surprise at how 'Suitcase' is still popular.

I'm not surprised it's still popular. Man in a Suitcase is a credit to Richard Bradford, along with the excellent team behind it. It was a well crafted, realistic and entertaining series, and it's no wonder it's reached well deserved cult status

Richard Edwin Bradford  1937-2016