FILM RESEARCHER GEORGIA WALTON PRESENTS SPECIAL SCREENING OF ‘THE INNOCENTS’

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RARE PHOTOGRAPH IN AUCTION

The UK-based Prop Store (https://propstoreauction.com/) are holding an auction entitled Pop Culture – Art and Photography: London Spring 2026 (January 27th -February 11th, 2026) which includes this photograph (Lot 229) of Peter with Danny La Rue, mime artiste, Lyndsey Kemp and others at the Variety Artistes Benevolent Fund raiser, 1974.

The image, which is signed by the photographer, Mick Rock, has an estimate of £300 – £600.

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CLASSIC SPORTS CAR ARTICLE

The latest issue of Classic Sports Car (UK) – dated 1st January, 2026 -carried an article about the cars used in the Department S series, which are described as the best of a the vehicles used in series from the ITC stable.

Copies can be obtained from: https://www.classicandsportscar.magazine.co.uk/

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NEW DEPARTMENT S COMPLETE BLU-RAY BOX SET IMPRINT LIMITED EDITION

7-DISC BLU-RAY SET + 228-page hardcover booklet in Limited Edition Hardbox packaging. 1500 copies only.

Special Features and Technical Specs:
1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray
NEW Audio commentary on The Man in the Elegant Room
Audio commentary on The Pied Piper of Hambledown by Peter
NEW Audio commentary on Handicap Dead by ITC Entertained The World podcast
Audio commentary on Six Days by director Cyril Frankel and assistant director Ken Baker
NEW Audio commentary on Six Days by Kim Newman and BFI television consultant Dick Fiddy
Audio commentary on The Double Death of Charlie Crippen by writer Leslie Darbon
NEW Audio commentary on A Ticket to Nowhere by ITC historians Jonathan Wood and Rick Davy
NEW Audio commentary on The Man From X by film critic Kim Newman and BFI television consultant / ITC expert Dick Fiddy
NEW Audio commentary on The Perfect Operation
25-minute international version of The Mysterious Man in the Flying Machine
Audio introduction on A Small War of Nerves by actor Peter
NEW Audio commentary on A Small War of Nerves by film critic Kim Newman and BFI television consultant / ITC expert Dick Fiddy
Wanna Watch a Television Series? Chapter One – Variations on a Theme
Audio: English LPCM 2.0 Mono
Original Aspect Ratio: 1.33

Bonus Disc: Jason King
1080p high-definition presentation on Blu-ray of three episodes of spin-off series Jason King, from brand NEW 2K scans of the original 16mm elements by Imprint Films
NEW IN HD “Wanna Buy A Television Series?” – featuring commentary

£99.99

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‘THE BARON’ SERIES REPEATED

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‘DEPARTMENT S’ AND ‘JASON KING’ SERIES BOOKS

Two new hardback reference books on the series ‘Department S’ and ‘Jason King’ have just been published by IngramSpark. Both written by Scott V. Palmer Jason King, these book includes all episodes in original release order, complete cast listings, numerous photographs, and a story synopsis for each episode.

The ‘Department S’ volume (ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1088289655 – ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1088289655) has 136 pages, while the ‘Jason King’ book (ISBN-10: ‎ 1087868327 – ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1087868325) has 202 pages. £24.99 and £35.99, respectively. Available from Amazon.

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‘THE INNOCENTS’ PART OF FILM4’S “FILMFEAR” SEASON

FilmFear, created and curated by Film4 and HOME, returns with a selection of strange, scary and provocative films that highlight the many unexpected ways horror can take shape on-screen.  We get started early this year with returning hero Ben Wheatley, whose new zombie-comedy TV series gets a one-off cinema preview. The Halloween highlight is a double-bill celebrating a classic horror icon, while other nights showcase new voices finding fresh and imaginative ways to use horror and fantasy to explore psychological states. And, as always, there are cult favourites for those who prefer to stay in their discomfort 

Just follow this link: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-innocents-1961

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JASON KING ARTICLE

The forthcoming issue of Infinity magazine (No. 90 – October 2025) is to feature an article on Jason King by Paula Hammond, who will recall a chat she once had with Peter.

Published first week in November (2025).

If you’re unable to find a copy in your local newsagent or you live outside the UK, you can order the magazine as follows:

Via the publishers website: www.thedarksidemagazine.com (Payment by PayPal).

By post: Ghoulish Publishing, 29 Cheyham Way, South Cheam, Surrey, SM2 7HX. (Payment by cheque).

Infinity Magazine website: www,infinitymazine.co.uk

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NEW FENELLA FIELDING BOOK FEATURING 2012 LETTER FROM PETER

The story between those two points is remarkable. Lots of famous contributors, including; Kenneth Williams, a larky Harold Pinter, Laurence Olivier, Dirk Bogarde, John Cleese wanting his old scripts back to reuse in Monty Python, Cecil Beaton ‘a distant admirer’, Gyles Brandreth ‘you do weave spells’, a 14-year old fan called Matthew Bourne, Quentin Crisp, Leigh Bowery, Jane Birkin, Kate O’Mara and, of course, Peter Wyngarde.

It’s available from quoitmedia.co.uk

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COMING SOON!

From Wandering Planet Toys, The Prisoner ‘Checkmate’ set, featuring action figures of Peter as Number 2, and Patrick McGoohan as Number 6.

Fans in the UK will no doubt be pleased to know that the Prisoner Gift Shop at Portmeirion will be stocking the set once stock has arrived from the Wandering Planet Toys factory. which means that the additional cost of international shipping and import tax can be avoided.

For those of you in the US, you can preorder the set from the Big Bad Toy Store by clicking here.

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BBC ‘PRISONER DOCUMENTARY

The BBC are to broadcast a documentary about the annual Prisoner Convention at Portmeirion called, strangely enough, ‘The Prisoner of Portmeirion’.

It’s due to be shown on BBC1 and BBC Wales at 7pm on 24th July 2025, as part of the ‘Our Lives’ series.

It will be available on iPlayer from 14th July.

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UPCOMING NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: THE OLD VIC 1959 SEASON

The Bristol Post newspaper is currently working on an article about Peter’s connection to the city of Bristol via his season at The Bristol Old Vic.

Peter starred in both ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ and ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ there in 1959, and also produced and directed Eugene O’Neill’s ‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’.

The article is being written by Jonathan Rowe for the ‘paper’s ‘Bristol Times’ history section. In addition to focusing on Peter’s work at The Old Vic, Rowe will also be discussing the his association with the TWW (Television Wales and West) TV station, which covered the South Wales and South-West region of England. Peter’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ was broadcast by TWW on 26th March, 1959. Additionally, he was also to record a series of short story readings for the company.

We will of course let you know as soon as we learn when the article is to be published.

Please click here for more information on Peter’s 1959 season at The Old Vic.

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CLASSIC MOVIES: ‘FLASH GORDON’

The new series of ‘Classic Movies’ is due to begin on Sky Arts on 1st May (2025), and will feature a 60 minute documentary on the 1980 film, ‘Flash Gordon’, which has now entered the pantheon of greats.

With each episode devoted to a single film, their story will be told with detail, affection, looking for the truth behind the myth, all the trials and triumphs that went into forging a classic. But this isn’t simply history, the standard making of, it’s about identifying those ingredients immortal scenes, performances, themes, luxuriant cinematography, art direction, special effects, music, even the power of a single line – that elevate a film to a new level.

Hosted by Ian Nathan, who guides us through the story from inception to legacy, supplemented with regular input along with special guest, with unique insight, historians who have devoted entire books, and visit to special location, where they shot or that served as a key inspiration, bringing each of these films to life with a dynamic presentation. We are on a journey to find out not what makes a film good, but what makes it classic.

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‘CHECKMATE’ NUMBER 2 FIGURE READY TO BE SHIPPED

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‘NIGHT OF THE EAGLE’ ARTICLE

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ITC RADIO DOCUMENTARY

Prisoners, Saints and Persuaders: The World of ITC. Return of the Saint star Ian Ogilvy tells the story of Lew Grade’s ITC company, which revolutionised British television from Department S and The Prisoner to The Persuaders.

Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 7th December 2024, now available to listen to via the Archive On 4.

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YOURS RETRO ARTICLE

The UK film and television nostalgia magazine, Yours Retro, have published a two-page article about Jason King in their January 2025 (Issue No.: 83).

Written by Steve Green, the article focuses on the character of King, both in ‘Department S‘ and ‘Jason King’,

Published on 16th January, 2025

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THE RETURN OF JASON KING

Following from their highly popular rescreening of ‘Department S’, Rewind TV are set to start showing all 28 episodes of ‘Jason King’ as of the week beginning Monday 7th October (2024).

Rewind TV, the retro-focused television channel that launched on Sky earlier this year, is set to expand its reach by joining the Freeview platform.

The channel, which has been broadcasting a mix of classic British TV shows on Sky since May (’24), will soon be available to a much wider audience without the need for a subscription.

The channel is available free-to-air on satellite. So far, the channel is only available on Sky (satellite, Sky HD/Sky Q) channel 190.

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‘THE INNOCENTS’ MAKES INDIEWIRE’S BEST HORROR FILMS LIST

In building IndieWire’s new list of the greatest horror movies ever made, they opted to omit some films that straddle the nebulous line between the horror and thriller genres (e.g. “The Silence of the Lambs” et al), at least for now. They paid attention to films that paved the way for the genre and for filmmaking as a whole, as well as to modern classics that bring something new and brilliant to the canon today. What every film on the list has in common is that their horrors are more than just boogeymen and spirits projected upon a silver screen, but a conduit into which deeper real-life fears are made manifest. From social discontent to primal fear of the unknown, horror is a genre that reflects on humanity’s most potent paranoia, and the eternal darkness that rests within us.

‘Jack Clayton’s morbid fairy tale “The Innocents” is the best and most loyal adaptation of Henry James’ chilling novella “The Turn of the Screw,” which became a seminal text of literary theory in the 20th century. Co-written by Truman Capote and led by the great actress Deborah Kerr as a governess driven to paranoia by the distressed children she’s caring for, this version is still as open-ended to cerebral and Freudian interpretations as the text.

The pioneering craft of “The Innocents” makes this an especially classic Gothic tale, from Daphne Oram’s synthesizer score to Freddie Francis’ deep-focus, black-and-white cinematography, where ghosts are driven into and out of the frame through restrained, natural light and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cutting. Many have argued, even dating back to the book, that the supernatural activity haunting the governess and her charges stems from her own sexual repression. The perverse “Innocents” leaves that door open while preserving the ambiguity of James’ story, which has haunted literature lecture halls for more than a century.’

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HALLOWE’EN TREAT IN SANTA ANA

Flickrhappy will be screening ‘The Innocents’ at the Frida Cinema in Santa Ana, California, on Sunday 20th October as a Hallowe’en treat. Tickets are free.

305E, 4th Street Suite 100, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Contact cinema: https://thefridacinema.org/contact/

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For the past two months, Talking Pictures have been screening the 1984/85 series. ‘The Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense’ on Friday evenings. October 4th (2024) sees the turn of episode 12 -‘And The Wall Came Tumbling Down’, in which Peter stars as Daniel Haswell.

Above: Peter as Daniel Haswell

Co-written by Dennis Spooner, who wrote several episodes of both ‘Department S’ and ‘Jason King’, the 70-minute film also features Gareth Hunt, Brian Deacon and Patricia Hayes.

9.10pm, Talking Pictures: Freeview 82 ~ Virgin 445 ~ Freesat 306 ~ Youview 82 ~ Sky 328.

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YOURS RETRO ARTICLE

The British monthly magazine, Your Retro, plan to publish an article about Peter in their January 2025 issue. The magazine, which bills itself as an “escape from the modern world where you can revisit the best entertainment from the fifties, sixties and seventies”, last featured Peter in a two-page article in March 2019.

The piece will focus on Peter’s work in Department S and Jason King, as well as the films ‘The Innocents‘ and ‘Night of the Eagle/Burn, Witch, Burn‘.

More information regarding this will be published here on receipt.

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RARE SCREENING OF ‘THE SIEGE OF SIDNEY STREET’

Peter as the notorious Peter the Painter, and Nicole Berger as Sara

Talking Pictures will be screening the 1960 British thriller, ‘The Siege of Sidney Street‘ on Sunday, 1st September (2024) at 10.05pm.

Starring Peter as the notorious Peter the Painter, the film was written by Hammer writer Jimmy Sanger, who also plays Winston Churchill in one scene, and directed by Robert S. Baker and Monty Berman – both of whom had a connection to ‘Department S‘.

Talking Pictures channel numbers: Virgin: 445 – Freesat 306 – Freeview or Youview 82 – Sky digital satellite platform 328

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CHECKMATE!

‘The Prisoner’ is currently being shown on three separate British television channels as of this week (05.08.24); Legend Extra, Rewind TV and London Live. Look out for Peter as Number 2 in ‘Checkmate‘ during the coming weeks.

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PETER’S HANDPRINTS IN MELBOURNE’S CITY GALLERY EXHIBITION

While Melbourne is a long way away from star-studded Los Angeles, it turns out that our two cities have something in common that not many people know about. Imprinted into the cement footpath of Hollywood Boulevard are countless celebrity handprints – but did you know that Bourke Street had its very own version? If not, now you do. 

But the story behind it isn’t quite as glitzy and glamorous as the action on Hollywood Boulevard – it actually started with a hardware store. Back in the ’70s, a retail chain called McEwans was the go-to shop for Victorians’ DIY needs, before Bunnings swooped in to take over in the 1990s. McEwans had a store on Bourke Street, about a block uphill from the GPO building, but needed some extra publicity to attract shoppers. So what did they do? Following in the (literal) footsteps of Hollywood, they invited celebs to leave handprints and footprints in wet cement out the front of the store. 

The publicity stunt worked a treat, with the lunchtime handprint events attracting visitors and media attention. As well as Peter Wyngarde, other famous names who left their mark included Bert Newton, Lionel Rose, Joan Sutherland, Henry Bolte, Barry Crocker, Colleen Hewett, Jose Feliciano and Evonne Goolagong Cawley, as well as international stars of the day like Sid James, Miriam Karlin and Harry Secombe. 

If you were old enough to remember it (or even alive) back then, you’re one of the lucky few Melburnians to know this rare piece of our city’s history, which lasted from 1972 to 1994. But for the rest of us, the ‘footpath of fame’ is now on display in a new exhibition at the Town Hall’s City Gallery. 

Gotcha! is a free exhibition open to the public until August 16, curated by Melbourne historian Robyn Annear. It includes 40 of the surviving prints from the McEwans pavement, which are accompanied by stories of the celebrities who made them and newspaper images that capture the mood of the times. To learn more about the exhibition, head to the City of Melbourne website. 

Click here to see a PDF of exhibition booklet

Details Start: April 17 @ 9:00 am End: August 16 @ 5:00 pm Cost: Free Event Category: Victorian History Events Website: https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/gotcha-concrete-prints-from-the-mcewans-celebrity-pavement

Organisers: City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection Phone: 03 9658 9658 Email: citygallery@melbourne.vic.gov.au Website: ttps://citycollection.melbourne.vic.gov.au/

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ICONIC MASK IN AUCTION

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‘DEPARTMENT S’ BACK ON TV

Rewind – a new satellite channel (Sky 190), is currently screening ‘Department S’, starring Peter as Jason King, Joel Fabiani as Stewart Sullivan and Rosemary Nicols as Annabelle Hurst.

The Sheffield-based channel has confirmed it’s launch on Sky’s satellite TV on 23rd May (2024), with a appearing on other platform during the coming months.

The channel promises to offer a range of classic entertainment shows from yesteryear, tapping in to a growing market for screening vintage television from the past century.

Rewind’s It’s launch line-up includes late night 1990s comedy from Channel 4, with Drop The Dead Donkey and Clive Anderson’s Whose Line Is It Anyway featuring from 10pm. Earlier in the evening, from 8pm, the channel will screen vintage drama series Return of The Saint and, or course, Department S. And the channel will be screening episodes of the long-running documentary Whicker’s World in its late afternoon schedule.

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‘NIGHT OF THE EAGLE’ UK BLURAY & DVD REISSUE

Studiocanal have announced a superb new restoration of Night of the Eagle, as part of the Cult Classics Collection. Dare you believe in the existence of witches in this nerve-shattering, atmospheric horror starring Peter Wyngarde and Janet Blair?

Described by The New York Times as “excellently photographed and cunningly directed… a nightmarish hair-curler”, Night of the Eagle is in the same league as classic British chillers including The Haunting, The Innocents and Night of the Demon. As the tagline says, ‘You must watch from the beginning to feel the shock impact of the end!’

The film is available on BluRay, DVD and Digital from 1st July 2024, with the striking original UK poster artwork featuring on the sleeve. The Blu-ray edition will include four art cards.

Extras:

• Burn Witch, Burn: Anna Bogutskaya on Night of the Eagle
• Archive Interview with Peter Wyngarde
• US Theatrical Trailer
• UK Theatrical Trailer
• US Alternate Opening Credits
• Audio Commentary with screenwriter Richard Matheson
• Behind the Scenes stills gallery

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‘NEW PRISONER NUMBER 2 FIGURE’

Wandering Planet Toys are releasing a second wave of their official ‘The Prisoner’ figures, which will include this one of Peter as Number 2 in ‘Checkmate’. The figures launched this month (April 2024) via a kickstarter backer campaign!

Wandering Planet Toys is a group of friends working in the arts and entertainment industries in Los Angeles who came together out of a love for movies, cult TV, pop culture, and, of course. The Prisoner figures have been produced with the support of The Unmutual Prisoner website: http://www.theunmutual.co.uk/

In the memorable episode “Checkmate” featuring the iconic human-chess match, Peter Wyngarde brought a suave and particularly crafty take to his Number 2.  Pair this figure with your Wave 1 “Checkmate” version of Number 6 for more village escape attempt action!

Please click here for more information.

UPDATE:

Wandering Planet Toys announce that second wave of ‘The Prisoner’ figures is to go ahead as Kickstarter target reached.

“Greetings dear Villagers!

We are thrilled that we get to make these wave No2 Prisoner Retro Action Figures. This is because of you. Thank you for joining us and pledging to make these figures… as its been said… It takes a village…

We’re cruising toward the unlock of some fun Stretch Goal items… we will of course keep you posted about this.

In the meantime we also wanted to announce that for those of you who may have missed our first Kickstarter Campaign, or for those who would like additional, we have made certain items from our first wave available as ADD ON’s for this campaign. Pledge at any level and you can add the below items to your pledge/order and they will be shipped along with your wave No2 items when everything is complete and ready to be sent to you. So, that means any of these items in wave one or wave No2 items can be added as ADD ON’s to your pledge.

More news soon! THANK YOU!

BE SEEING YOU.”

UPDATE:

Greetings Villagers! Thank you so much for your incredible response and support of our second wave of The Prisoner Retro Action Figures! Wave No2 is happening, and we have all of you to thank for it.

As we approach the end of the campaign we wanted to offer one more incentive, to spice up your Diorama Display and add even more options for you to display your figures… SO, we came up with a sort of booster pack of mini diorama display pieces to go with the Diorama Display.

The display is made up of three plastic “floor” tiles, and we have created DIORAMA DISPLAY BONUS BACKDROPS to fit into those tiles. Should this stretch goal be unlocked at 140K all of those going DEGREE ABSOLUTE/ALL IN will automatically have these three additional display backdrops included. And for those who have added the diorama display to their pledges and would like these additional pieces they will be offered as a set for $12.00.

Above: To the far left – Peter as Number 2 with Patrick McGoohan as Number 6.

Featuring iconic images from your favorite episodes, these will look sharp on your toy shelf, proudly displaying your figures. (please note these are the backdrop pieces only, and you do need the previously offered Diorama Display for the floor tiles to go with them.)

t’s been amazing to dream this second wave up, launch it on Kickstarter and have it brought to life by everyone reading this. Thank you for your enthusiasm and support! The Prisoner fans are awesome fans! BE SEEING YOU!

WP Team

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‘CROWN COURT’ DROPPED BY TALKING PICTURES

Those Peter Wyngarde fans who have been waiting for his appearance in the ‘Crown Court’ re-runs on Talking Pictures are going to be disappointed, as the broadcaster has decided to discontinue showing the series.

Above: Peter as Sir Charles Marchington QC in the three-part Crown Court episode, ‘The Son Of His Father)

While there have been much speculation from fans as to why, according to Noel Cronin – the man behind Talking Pictures TV, it’s a matter of expense rather than low viewing figures. “Talking Pictures TV isn’t a charity,” he said – adding that they just couldn’t afford to show it any more. It’s hoped that another broadcaster will pick up the baton in the near future.

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NEW FLASH GORDON PODCAST

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‘PLANET OF FIRE’ ADDED TO BBC iPLAYER

Peter’s three-part Doctor Who episode, ‘Planet of Fire‘ has been added to the BBC’s iPlayer as of 3rd November, 2023. You can watch it by clinking here.

The episode(s) have have Audio Description and Sign Language for the hard of hearing.

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THE BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE STAGE ITC RETROSPECTIVE

A look at the art and design of that most stylish of 60s TV companies, ITC, with intro by Lord Michael Grade.

Sunday 03 December 2023 15:00. NFT1

Lew Grade’s ITC (Incorporated Television Company) lit up small screens in the 1960s with a number of exciting action-adventure series (The Saint, The Prisoner, The Persuaders, Department S) that rivalled the American model of production, often topping them in exuberance, style and panache. Expect rare marketing art and sales designs, as well as some well known and alternative-version credit sequences.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday 09 November 2023 11:30am

Joint ticket available with Missing Believed Wiped 2023 £14, concs £11 (non-Members pay £2 more). Book in person at the box office or by phone on 020 7928 3232.

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THE INNOCENTS SCREENING

The Prince Charles Cinema, London, will be screening ‘The Innocents’ on Saturday, 14th October 2023, at 12.10pm. Relevant details are as follows:

Location: Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place, London, WC2H 7BY

Nearest Underground station: Leicester Place

Phone: 020 7494 3654

Email: boxofficemanager@princecharlescinema.com

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NIGHT OF THE EAGLE TO BE RELEASED ON BLURAY IN OZ

Peter’s legendary portrayal of sceptical college professor, Norman Taylor, is to be released on Blu-ray by Imprint in Australia on 25th October 2023. Details of content are as follows:

• Number of Discs: 1
• Certificate: PG
• Runtime: 90 minutes
• Catalogue Number: IMP3701

Special Features & Technical Specs:

• 1080P High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan
• New Audio Commentary by Flipside founders Vic Pratt and William Fowler
• New Audio Commentary by film historian Scott Harrison
• Audio Commentary by screenwriter Richard Matheson
• New Filmed appreciation with author David Huckvale
• New Fritz Leiber’s Conjure Wife – video essay by academic Rachel Knightley
• Interview with Peter Wyngarde
• Theatrical Trailer
• Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Original Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
• Optional English HOH Subtitles
• Limited Edition slipcase with unique artwork

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CONTENTIOUS 1975 CONVICTION QUASHED!

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LEGEND RESHOWING ‘THE PRISONER’ IN UK

The Prisoner is being repeated on Legend (UK only): Sky 148 – Virgin 149 – Freesat 137 – Freeview 41, from Monday, 17th July, 2023.

Above: Peter as the village administrator, Number 2 in ‘Checkmate’.

Look out for Peter in ‘Checkmate’ which will be shown on Thursday 27th July at 9pm, and again on Friday 28th at 9am.

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MORRISSEY TRIBUTE

Rock singer, Morrissey, paid tribute to his friend, Peter Wyngarde, during his European tour (2023) by wearing a T-shirt on stage with an image of Peter on the front.

The two men had been good friends for many years, and Morrissey mentions Peter in his 2013 autobiography. Following his passing in 2018, the singer had a giant photograph of Peter projected onto a screen at the back of the stage before every concert.

In 2012, Morrissey was presented with an original vinyl copy of Peter’s album on the Jonathan Ross Show by the host.

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PETER’S ‘NEVILLE THUMBCATCH’ FEATURED ON 4-DISC SET

British Mod Sounds of the 1960s Volume 2: The Freakbeat & Psych Years

• Limited edition including signed Eddie Piller print limited to 750 copies
• A collection of 95 classic and rare tracks across 4CDs
• Curated by Acid Jazz Records and Modcast founder, Eddie Piller
• In-depth sleeve notes from musician and author, Richard Norris

Demon Music Group : B0BL7N41FX

“Peter Wyngarde’s Neville Thumbcatch simply needs to be listened to whilst reclining on a Chaise Longue…” Gigslutz

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‘CROWN COURT’ – ENTIRE SERIES TO BE REPEATED

Crown Court, set in the fictional town of Fulchester, was filmed at Granada in Manchester. Each half hour episode was an all actor affair save for the members of the jury who were members of the public drawn from the electoral register or approached outside the studios. Cases were given three days, at the end of which the jury would deliver its verdict within 30 minutes. Any Justice Secretary today would kill for that kind of efficiency!

Showing at 2.30pm on Monday, Thursday, Friday, free to air on Virgin 445, Freesat 306, Freeview or YouView 82, Sky channel 328.

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‘THE INNOCENTS’ VOTED HAWAII’S FAVOURITE HALLOWE’EN FILM!

This week (17.10.22-23.10.22), the Wall Street Journal announced the results of a nationwide survey by Wishlisted[1] in all 52 states of the USA to find out which is the country’s favourite Hallowe’en movies. The site considered a list of 210 movies tagged “horror” on Rotten Tomatoes, filtered for those with at least a 60% audience score, then used Google Trends to compare searches for each movie by subregion between September 2017 and September 2022. Where many films were most popular in the same state, states were matched with the film with the most proportional popularity for that state. 

According to the survey, the most popular Halloween movies range greatly not only in theme but also in period. Residents of some states prefer the old classics, such as the 1925 version of “The Phantom of the Opera” or “Freaks” from 1932. Others have more modern tastes, favoring movies released in the last year or two, such as “Vengeance” (2022) or “Candyman” (2021). Hawaii, it transpires, has the best taste, choosing ‘The Innocents’

Hawaii: The Innocents (1961)
> Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95%
> Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86%
> Directed by: Jack Clayton
> Main cast: Deborah Kerr, Peter Wyngarde, Megs Jenkins
> Rank on Rotten Tomatoes Top Halloween Movies list: 41/210

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SPECIAL SCREENING OF ‘THE INNOCENTS’ IN AUSTIN, TEXAS

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‘CHECKMATE’ THIRD IN SCIFINOW SERIES RATING

SciFiNow has also rated ‘The Innocents’ No.3 in their ‘Top 10 Must See Film of All Time’: “Another haunted house story, The Innocents follows governess Miss Giddens and her downwards spiral into paranoia when she takes a job at Bly country estate, looking after a young pair of siblings. It starts off quite sweetly, with Miss Giddens being taken by Miles and Flora’s charismatic ways, but once she learns that their previous governess, Mary Jessel, died under mysterious circumstances, things go from idyllic to nightmarish. Like The Haunting, The Innocents doesn’t care for jump scares, but it will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.”

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PETER’S PORTRAYAL OF PETER QUINT VOTED ONE OF CINEMA’S SCARIEST ‘LIVING DEAD’

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HALLOWEEN SCREENINGS OF NIGHT OF THE EAGLE

Department S & Night of the Eagle 1962 Find out about the flamboyant actor Peter Wyngarde with an episode of the Spy-fi series ‘Department S’. After the interval be very afraid with a rare screening of ‘Night of the Eagle’ aka ‘Burn Witch Burn’.”

15:00, Sunday 23 October 2022 (Doors open 14:30.)

Tickets are just £5.00 per person and include a cup of tea or coffee with biscuits during the interval. Book here

St. George’s Theatre, King Street, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. NR30 2PG.

FORBIDDEN WORLDS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ‘BIG SCREAM’ HALLOWEEN WEEKEND

Following its hugely successful inaugural event in May, Bristol’s Forbidden Worlds film festival returns to the former Bristol IMAX this Halloween to (metaphorically) splatter blood and giblets across the city’s largest cinema screen. Amongst the films to be screened is Night of the Eagle.

The technically minded may wish to note that films will will be projected from DCPs on a professionally installed Christie digital cinema projector. The screenings will not fill the full size of the former Bristol IMAX screen, but the projected image size will still be very big indeed.

Once again, you’ll be able to purchase branded Forbidden Worlds beer, courtesy of New Bristol Brewery. And this time, some films will be presented with descriptive subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Weekend and Day Passes for the festival are now on sale with individual screening tickets becoming available in a few weeks. Visit the Forbidden Worlds website for further information.

365 Bristol, c/o Raw Space111, Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8AT

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FLASH GORDON: THE OFFICIAL STORY REVISITED

Filmmaker and author John Walsh give a sneak preview of the 2nd edition of his best-selling book on the making of Flash Gordon, the movie from 1980. Find out how to win a signed copy. Available from Amazon and all other good bookshops.

See clip below for more information:

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ITC QUIZ BOOK

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THE PRISONER RE-RUNS

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DEPARTMENT S BACK ON BRITISH TV

The local London television channel, London Live began showing Department S at midnight on 18th February, 2022. The series can only be seen in the London area on the following channels: Freeview 8 – SKY 117 – Virgin159 and YouView 8.

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THE NATIONAL FILM THEATRE TO SHOW ‘THE INNOCENTS’ THROUGHOUT DECEMBER 2021

The NFT will be screening The Innocents on the following dates and times in December of this year:

• Saturday 04 December 2021 20:40 NFT3
• Thursday 09 December 2021 20:45 NFT1
• Monday 13 December 2021 18:10 NFT1
• Thursday 23 December 2021 14:20 NFT3
• Monday 27 December 2021 15:20 NFT1
• Thursday 30 December 2021 14:30 NFT1

Tickets go on sale in November

For further details, you can contact the NFT via the following link: https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/

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‘THE INNOCENTS’ BACK ON THE BIG SCREEN

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DEPARTMENT S: ULTIMATE EDITION RELEASED IN AUSTRALIA

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FLASH GORDON IS AMONG CLASSIC MOVIES TO HAVE HAD THEIR RATINGS TIGHTENED BY BRITISH BOAD OF FILM CLASSIFICATION

The move from Parental Guidance (PG) to 12A is “as a result of changing standards in society,” the body said. Flash Gordon’s “moderate violence, language, sex references and discriminatory stereotypes” were cited, along with domestic abuse in Rocky. The BBFC reviews its classifications every four to five years.

BBFC chief executive David Austin said in the body’s annual report: “We talk to over 10,000 people every four-five years… to ensure our policies remain in step with parental expectations and societal standards on an ongoing basis.

“As a result of changing standards in society, it’s not infrequent that a distributor will submit something to us that we have classified in the past, but which we need to take a fresh look at under our current guidelines.”

The PG rating says a film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older while 12A recommends children under 12 shouldn’t watch without being accompanied by an adult.

Of the 93 complaints the board received last year, 27 were about 1980 space opera film Flash Gordon.

The movie’s 40th anniversary re-release was reclassified up to 12A partly due to the inclusion of “discriminatory stereotypes”.

The BBFC did not say what the stereotypes were. However Flash Gordon’s main villain, Ming the Merciless, was of East Asian appearance but played by Swedish-French actor Max von Sydow.

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‘A CELEBRATION OF ITC’

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COMING SOON TO TALKING PICTURES: THE INNOCENTS

Watch on Sky 328 | Freeview 81 | Freesat 306 | Virgin 445

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PETER GETS DANCING ON ICE STAR, RUFUS HOUND, BANNED FROM RADIO SHOW!

The following was taken from The Guardian:

Dancing on Ice star Rufus Hound urged fans to buy a record glorifying rape and joked about the killing of Jews, it emerged last night (29.01.21). The comments increased pressure on show bosses to axe him following anger at previous tweets — including one claim about the Manchester Arena bombing which triggered a falling out with pro-partner Robin Johnstone. Fed-up producers are even preparing TV and radio presenter Matt Richardson, 29, as his replacement.

Last night Hound, who missed last weekend’s show and will be absent tonight, tweeted: “I’ve had Covid. Isolated when I knew I’d come into contact with it, tested five days later, am coming to the end of having had it, luckily v mild case.” His rape blunder came in a podcast in which he talked about TV actor Peter Wyngarde’s banned[1] 1970 record, titled When Sex Leers Its Inquisitive Head[2].

Wyngarde, who died in 2018 aged 90, played sleuth Jason King, said to be an inspiration for Mike Myers’ Austin Powers character. The album featured a song called ‘Rape’, in which Wyngarde babbled about how sex attacks differ from country to country. The tasteless lyrics include: “Rape, rape, rape, rape, rape! It’s utterly amazing how many different kinds of rape there are!” He goes on: “There’s Italian Rape . . . Look into my eye-a-balls, you will see the fire! “Japanese Rape, of course! In France of course, where fun is greedy, The women are a little more seedy, And rape is hardly ever necessary.

Hound said: “Have you heard his album? Oh my s! “It starts with literally a seduction. “And one track, I s*** you not, is his take on how rape works in different countries, doing the different ’70s racist accents of the people committing the rape. “It sounds like I must be making it up in order to make it weirder for you to struggle to make you believe.“It absolutely genuinely exists — and I urge you all to buy it.”

Left: ‘Rape’ was also released as a single.

He also joked to comedian Richard Herring on his Leicester Square Theatre Podcast that Hitler killed millions of Jews “as a bet”. At one point he declared: “I’ve just thought of the most racist joke”– prompting host Herring to tell him: “Keep that to yourself.” The Sun on Sunday has already told how Hound, 41, had used terms such as “retard” and “gay lord” in tweets. And we told how another he posted suggested then – PM Theresa May orchestrated the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing to help win the Election.

“In Germany it isn’t always remembered, The rape is synonymous with whips, bunkers and Mauser, Which makes it all comparatively kinky.” He then makes a sick reference to the Holocaust. Critics have called it one of the most disturbingly racist recordings ever made.

Notes and Corrections: [1]: The album was not banned. [2]: The original album – released in 1970 – was not entitled, ‘When Sex Leers Its Inquisitive Head’. [3]: I have never read a single review of the album in which a critic has described it as, “one of the most disturbingly racist recordings ever made”.

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INFINITY MAGAZINE – ISSUE 32:

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FLASH GORDON GETS STEREOTYPE WARNING FOR “DUBIOUS, IF NOT OUTRIGHT OFFENSIVE” MING THE MERCILESS

Above: Peter as General Klytus with Max Von Sydow as Ming the Merciless

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) said it now has to bear in mind discriminatory depictions that are “no longer acceptable to modern audiences” when older films come in for reclassification. Ming was “coded as an East Asian character due to his hair and make-up” in the 1980 film but was played by the late Swedish actor Max von Sydow, BBFC senior policy officer Matt Tindall spoke about the issue in a podcast looking back at the year in film.

“Flash’s arch nemesis, Ming the Merciless, is sort of coded as an East Asian character due to his hair and make-up,” he said. “But he’s played by a Swedish actor in the film, he’s played by Max von Sydow, which I don’t think is something that would happen if this were a modern production.”

Mr Tindall said the BBFC was aware this is something that viewers “may find dubious, if not outright offensive”.

He continued: “Let’s just say that attitudes towards the acceptability of discriminatory racial stereotypes have moved on considerably since then and rightly so, of course.”

The organisation has reclassified Flash Gordon as a 12A – stricter than its original A rating, which is roughly equivalent to a PG today – due to scenes of violence “that go beyond what you’d expect in the lower category”, “moderate bad language” and “some verbal sex references” that exceed PG level.

Mr Tindall said the presentation of Ming in the film is not a “category defining issue” but that the organisation had added a warning due to the “potential it has to cause offence”.

He said: “This is something that we have to bear in mind often when we see older films coming in for reclassification, films that might contain discriminatory depictions or stereotypes that are not acceptable to modern audiences, including films where discrimination wasn’t the work’s intent, just a reflection of the period in which it was made.

“And this is an issue that we’re currently planning to explore more through research next year.”

Earlier this year, the 1939 American Civil War epic, Gone With The Wind was temporarily removed by US streaming service HBO Max, later returning with a warning over its “racist depictions” that were “wrong then and are wrong today”.

In the UK, comedy show Little Britain was removed from some streaming services over the use of blackface in some of its sketches.

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‘FLASH GORDON: THE OFFICIAL STORY OF THE FILM’ OUT NOW!

Product Details

• Author: John Walsh
• Hardcover : 192 pages
• ISBN-10 : 1789095069
• ISBN-13 : 978-1789095067
• Dimensions : 26.11 x 2.16 x 33.15 cm
• Publisher : Titan Books (27 Nov. 2020)
• Language: : English

If I could give this book more than 5 Stars I would.

It is a masterpiece and a must, not only for Flash fans, but for Sci-Fi purists and general film buffs alike. It’s beautifully printed; the photographs, which have been taken both from the film itself and behind-the-scenes are of a superior, HD quality and the text, penned by John Walsh (see also ‘Harryhausen: The Last Movies’), is concise and peppered with a veritable cornucopia of otherwise unknown facts about the film, its cast and crew.

Also includes interviews with Sam J. Jones (Flash Gordon), Brian Blessed (Prince Vultan) and director, Mike Hodges.

Several pages are devoted to Peter’s character, General Klytus.

GORDON’S ALIVE!

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‘THE MAKING OF FLASH GORDON’ BOOK – PUBLICATION DATES REVISED

Please note that the publication dates for this book have been revised to the following: UK – 27th November and the US, 1st December, 2020. As previously mentioned on this page, Filmmaker and Author, John Walsh, is currently working on a new book which will be the official story of the 1980 Sci-Fi classic, ‘Flash Gordon’ which, it’s hoped, will be published later this year.For anyone interested, he has set up a Facebook page dedicated to the project which can be hound here: https://www.facebook.com/FlashGordonOfficialStoryOfTheFilm/

You can read more details about the book in an interview with the author, John Walsh, here.

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PETER QUINT AND MISS JESSEL (THE INNOCENTS) VOTED THE SCARIEST GHOSTS IN CINEMA

From unexplained bumps in the night to creepy children and things without faces, here are some of film’s most terrifying spectres, The Guardian votes Peter Quint and Miss Jessel the scariest ghosts in cinema – 30th October, 2020.

No.1: Are the ghosts real, or figments of the febrile imagination of the governess who sees dead servants peering through windows or lurking on the far side of the lake in a fair approximation of an early Black Sabbath album cover? It doesn’t matter, because either way they will chill your blood in the first and still the best adaptation of Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw. Directed by Jack Clayton, every frame of Freddie Francis’s deep-focus black-and-white cinematography seems designed to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

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FLASH GORDON: THE OFFICIAL STORY OF THE FILM

The publication date for FLASH GORDON: THE OFFICIAL STORY OF THE FILM has been put back from 27th October this year to 20th November. Even prior to release, the book is already more than 50% sold out, so it would be advisable to pre-order a copy if you are planning to purchase it. R.R.P.: £35.00

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PETER WYNGARDE BIOGRAPHY REACHES TOP 55,000 IN WORLDWIDE SALES

Peter Wyngarde: A Life Amongst Strangers – the definitive biography of the legendary actor which was published at the end of February this year – has been ranked at No. 55,100 out of over 6,000,000 books currently on sale worldwide. That would equate to approximately 9 units sold per hour in the UK alone.

The book is available in three formats – Hardback, Paperback and Kindle, and can be purchased from the Amazon, Austin-Macaulay, Waterstones and all good book shops.

See also: Book Information – Press Reviews – Happy Readers

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DEPARTMENT S & JASON KING FEATURES

The UK’s premier Cult TV and film magazine, Infinity, are due to publish an article about ‘Department S’ in their October issue, which will be on the shelves as of 10-10-20, and will follow up with a feature on the Jason King series in the November edition.

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‘NIGHT CONSPIRATORS’ NOW AVAILABLE TO STREAM

Peter plays the part of Werner Loder – the young editor of a Berlin-based newspaper – in Robert Muller’s controversial drama from 1963. Amongst the supporting cast are Peter Arne, Ronald Radd, Cyril Luckham, Sally Home, Patricia Haines and Ronald Leigh-Hunt.

Left: Peter as Werner Loder

Who are the five men of power who have come together late at night in a foreign embassy in Germany? What is their purpose? Who are the unexpected … Find out by following the link below:

https://watch.networkonair.com/armchair-theatre/armchair-theatre-anthology-two.html

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FLASH GORDON – THE LATE QUEEN’S FAVOURITE FILM!

Brian Blessed has claimed that the Queen revealed to him that her favourite film is Flash Gordon, the 1980 sci-fi in which he stars as Prince Vultan.

Speaking about the film’s 40th anniversary, the actor said that whenever he goes, people demand he recite his character’s catchphrase.

“Everywhere I go, they all want me to say ‘Gordon’s alive!’,” said Blessed. “The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker, horses and queens, and prime ministers, they all want me to say ‘Gordon’s alive!’, it’s their favourite film.”

He continued: “The Queen, it’s her favourite film, she watches it with her grandchildren every Christmas.”

The actor then assumed the Queen’s accent, quoting her as saying: “You know, we watch Flash Gordon all the time, me and the grandchildren. And if you don’t mind, I’ve got the grandchildren here, would you mind saying ‘Gordon’s alive’?”

It is unclear when the Queen made the reported disclosure, but she did appoint Blessed an OBE for services to arts and charity in 2016 .

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FLASH GORDON BACK IN CINEMAS

Flash Gordon is now confirmed to play at Picturehouse Central and in select cinemas from July 31st, it will then be released on 4K UHD Collector’s edition, Blu-ray, Steelbook, DVD and digital on August 10th. In addition, the film will screen as part of The Luna Drive In Cinema from August, with screening details available on their website as they are announced. 

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THE COMPLETE AVENGERS SERIES 2 COLLECTOR CARD

Part of The Complete Avengers Series 2 set of trading cards, released by Unstoppable Cards on 11th May 2020. Autograph card of Peter as Stewart Kirby. Only 36 produced. 

http://www.unstoppablecards.com/shop/index.php/unstoppable-cards/the-avengers-tv.html

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FLASH GORDON 4K RE-RELEASE CONFIRMED FOR AUGUST 2021

A fabulous-looking new collection of disc releases for 1980’s Flash Gordon have been announced – full details right here.

Now here’s some cheery news. The might Flash Gordon, the 1980 cult favourite movie, is getting a full Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray release this coming August. The movie will also be available too in a restored DVD and Blu-ray version as well, and we’re promised a hugely impressive remaster of the film.

To quote the official press blurb: “For the new 40^th Anniversary 4k restoration, Flash Gordon was scanned from the original 35mm negative to produce 4K files. Over 500 hours of manual restoration repaired serious damage that included image instability, scratches and intermittent flicker. The sound was scanned from the original track negative and underwent restoration to improve issues ranging from audio drop-outs throughout the feature and during reel changes, digital clicks and optical distortion. The film was colour graded for theatrical, home entertainment and 4K HDR release, using previous digital releases and 35mm prints as a reference. In line with the Director’s vision and the original 35mm cinema release, VFX work was applied to remove the strings in all scenes where visible.  This restoration was approved by Director Mike Hodges in May 2020, and will include the first 4K HDR Dolby Vision master of Flash Gordon.”

What’s more, a five-disc Ultra HD version is set to be available too, and there’s a hefty list of extra features across the various versions of the film.

The UHD, DVD and Blu-Ray Disc 1 includes:

• The main feature (1 hr 47)
• New Lost in Space: Nic Roeg’s Flash Gordon (also iTunes extra)
• Audio commentary with Mike Hodges
• Audio commentary with Brian Blessed
• Behind the scenes of Flash Gordon
• Stills gallery (also iTunes extra)
• Storyboards gallery (also iTunes extra)
• Original theatrical trailer

Blu-Ray Disc 2 includes:

• Interview with Mike Hodges
• Interview with comic book artist Alex Ross TBC
• Interview with screenwriter Lorenzo Semple, Jr. TBC
• Episode 24 of Flash Gordon (1979-1982): The Survival Game / Gremlin’s Finest Hour
• Sam Jones’s acting start
• Entertainment Earth on Flash Gordon merchandise
• Bob Lindenmayer discusses deleted scenes and original endings
• 35^thAnniversary Greenroom
• 35^thAnniversary reunion featurette
• Renato Casaro extended interview
• Brian Blessed anecdotes
• Melody’s musings
• On the soundtrack (Brian May & Howard Blake)
• Easter Eggs

The 5 disc Collector’s Edition includes:

• The UHD and 2 Blu-ray discs
• Bonus Blu-Ray Disc of LIFE AFTER FLASH, the 2017 feature documentary celebrating the film and it’s star, directed by Lisa Downs
• Original soundtrack by Queen & Howard Blake
• 32 page booklet
• 16 page Titan mini book (The Story of Flash Gordon)
• Reproduced booklet of the first strip of original comic books
• Poster of original artwork
• 4 artcards of various incarnations of Flash film posters across the years
• 1 sew on ‘Flash patch’

All versions of the film will be available on August 10th, 2020.

Watch the trailer here

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FLASH GORDON: THE OFFICIAL STORY OF THE FILM

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13 EPISODES OF ‘JASON KING’ DUBBED INTO GERMAN

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JOHN CLEVERLY CARTNEY COLLECTOR CARD

Part of The Complete Avengers Series 1 set of trading cards, released by Unstoppable Cards in August 2019. Autograph card of Peter as John Cartney. Series Card No. AVPW4. Only 36 produced.

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EARTHLINGS, WHO WILL YOU COLLECT NEXT?

Big Chief Studios Ltd. is proud to announce a licensing deal with Hearst Holdings, Inc., King Features Syndicate Division, via Allsorts Licensing to produce a range of high-end collectables based on the cult classic 1980 movie Flash Gordon.

Initial product offerings will include highly detailed Sixth Scale Character Replica Figures of the key characters. Fans will be able to pre-order the first two figures: Flash Gordon – Saviour of the Universe and Ming the Merciless – Emperor of Mongo, from May. The line will be further expanded with figures of fan favourites Prince Vultan and Prince Barin, plus other characters to be announced.

Big Chief will also release a range of Character Mini Busts, which will offer striking portraits of key characters and the fantastical environments of Mongo.

Big Chief managing director Mark Andrews said, “We are thrilled to have agreed rights with King Features for such a beloved cult classic. The adventures of Flash Gordon were the inspiration and template for so many sci-fi TV shows and movies. We are thrilled to be working alongside King Features on Flash Gordon in time for it’s 40th Anniversary in 2020.”

Flash Gordon is a 1980 science fiction film based on the King Features comic strip of the same name created by Alex Raymond. Directed by Mike Hodges and produced by Dino De Laurentiis, the film starred Peter Wyngarde, Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Topol, Max von Sydow, Timothy Dalton, Brian Blessed and Ornella Muti.

With a camp style similar to the 1960s TV series Batman, in an attempt to appeal to fans of the original comics and serial films. The film is notable for its soundtrack composed, performed and produced by the rock band Queen. The film has since gained a significant cult following.

Mermaid Theatre, London – Opened: Thursday, 13th December, 1990

Character: Jack Pinchwife

Having to laugh to order must, I suspect, be amongst the most burdensome of an actor’s chores. Just think about it – night after night, being required to overflow with spontaneous mirth at something that was never, as likely as not, exactly a hoot in the first place. Anyone who wanted to witness the art of bad stage-laughing at its spellbinding worst, should’ve headed straight for the Mermaid Theatre and Richard Trethowan’s otherwise concertedly lustreless production of ‘The Country Wife’.

Below: Peter as Jack Pinchwife with Fenella Fielding as Lady Fidget

A possible defence, of course, was that the mirthful reactions of William Wycherley’s corrupt, cynical Restoration gents and Sparkish (Michael Ward Allen), his witless fop, are not, for the most part, supposed to be genuine, but rather the spurious displays of the scheming and the stupid. What the male members of Threthowen’s cast managed to hawk up, however, both looked and sounded rather different from this – more like what you would get if you were to round up a number of seriously depressed people and force them, at gunpoint, to impersonate the affected guffawings of insincere rakes.

The theatrical gods had scowled rather than smiled on this revival. To judge by the insert in the official programme, they had been positively vindictive towards it. To begin with, the rehearsal and preview period had been dogged by flu and viral infections. John Moulder-Brown who played the central amoralist, Harold Horner, had quit his sick bed just in time for the opening night whilst Peter, who played the deceived husband, Pinchwife, was absent for several weeks into the run (his place was taken by understudy, Keith Bridgewater) – initially with a bout of flu, which latterly turned into a viral infection.

Although Peter’s character, Jack Pinchwife, finds himself cheated on by his new, young wife, he’s not a particularly sympathetic individual. He was a drunkard and  gambler before marriage, and is the archetypical jealous husband – not because he loves his wife, but because he believes he owns her. He’s a latent tyrant, who’s not adverse to violence. Not only does he treat his wife like she’s his property, but also his sister, Alithea (Helen Masters), who’s engaged to Sparkish. Pinchwife wishes to marry off for financial reasons.

Wycherley’s tale of Horner – a life-long cynic about love, who lets it be understood that he’s become impotent, thereby ensuring that his adulteries – including an intrigue with the naïve Margery Pinchwife (Kerry Higgins), needed guile, subtle playing if it wasn’t to seem offputtingly coarse. The scornfulness of the man; his swingeing lack of scruples, and the way his deceit isolates him from any intimacy other than sexual were barely even hinted at by John Moulder Brown. Decked out in an unfortunately blond wig, he just looked bemused and uncomfortable. Charles II’s raunchier subjects might’ve found it intrinsically amusing to seduce and then abandon woman after woman whilst pretending friendship with their husbands. They might’ve thought it hilarious to see such conduct lauded in the theatre. Latter generations are more morally squeamish, or liked to think they were.

Sadly, subtlety and guile were banished from the Mermaid. The characters tended to simply move about the stage, cackle with mirthless glee, and then rattle off their lines, imperious to any feeling that was not instant and obvious; oblivious to rhythm, wit or even sense.

Words from the heart by Peter’s fans and admirers

I made my own tribute to Peter using archive interviews, clips, trailers, Soundtracks and music from the Films & TV show he’s appeared in. Tony Richards

For me, Peter Wyngarde was a true star, personifying originality, style and class. He was evocative of an era when stars were people that you looked up to because they possessed special talent, and Peter had that in abundance.

If I may explain, I have been a long-time admirer of Peter since he first came to my attention through his portrayal of Jason King when I was a teenager in the late 60s and early 70s. In those days of black and white television, and long before the digital versatile disc, his impact upon me was through his celebrity status. All these years later, whilst his celebrity remains firmly intact, I am beginning to truly appreciate the depth of his artistic attributes. Peter’s appeal is inter-generational. My son Lee was born in the post-Jason King 80s yet he shares my admiration. We are still learning about Peter’s illustrious career and this article, which focuses mainly on Department S, is an affectionate tribute from two of his fans. We both regard him as one of the country’s foremost acting talents and a captivating personality.

In Department S Peter was quite simply THE Star. His distinctive characteristics produced a riveting screen presence, and he dominated the scenes in which he appeared. Peter’s star quality was precisely what differentiated Department S from its contemporaries.  In today’s world, where there may be a reticence to recognise genuine stars, I find it instructive to paraphrase Sir Noel Coward on stardom, “… if you’ve worked all those years to become a big star it’s really rather silly to pretend that you are not one” and “…the stage is a place for extraordinary people – not a series of ordinary people”.  In the nicest possible way, I feel that these quotations from one of the theatre’s most revered figures serve to endorse Peter’s star status, which he earned through his individuality and peerless talent. This individuality was perfectly illustrated by Peter’s defining performances throughout the Department S run, during which time it became one of the most popular programmes on television.

In the episode “Soup of The Day” Peter’s tongue-in cheek-humour is evident when Jason tries to initiate a romantic liaison with a lady secretary (Isobel Black) who counters his suggestion by stating that her mother will be chaperoning her that evening.  Jason’s retort is to advise her that as his mother is chaperoning him, two chaperoning mothers might become rather confusing!  The comic timing and delivery is superb.

In “The Man from X” Peter’s talent for characterization is showcased when Jason impersonates a New York safe cracker complete with an accent and mannerisms that seem much more authentic than those of the actual New Yorkers we have encountered in the Big Apple.

In “One of our Aircraft is Empty” Peter’s gift for understated witticism is revealed in an early scene when his colleague Stewart Sullivan (Joel Fabiani) is unimpressed with Jason’s innovative explanation of mysterious events. Jason’s riposte is devastating “…Stewart, when you find that my idea works – a postcard will do!

”In “The Bones of Byrom Blain” Peter effortlessly projects Jason’s bon vivant lifestyle when ordering lunch in a stylish restaurant. The waiter suggests a fish dish as an entrée and Jason elegantly corrects his culinary faux pas with “… yes quite excellent I am sure, but perhaps for the main challenge a venison D’Artagnan with a Volney ’64?” This authoritative panache underscores Jason’s mastery of all social situations and his love of high living. Throughout the episodes of Department S Peter’s stunningly original interpretation of Jason King provides the central theme of the plot lines. Peter simply takes the viewer on an exciting journey every time he appears on screen and never disappoints.

Peter’s consummate versatility as a performer is perfectly illustrated in his portrayal of Baron Gruener in the 1964 production of the Sherlock Holmes story “The Illustrious Client”. This role is the antithesis of Jason King and Peter projects the Baron’s menace with exquisite finesse. Two scenes stand out.  Firstly, when the Baron rebukes his fiancée (Jennie Linden) for entering a certain room in his home without his permission he exudes a power and authority which seem absolute. Secondly, when the Baron warns Sherlock Holmes (Douglas Wilmer) of the dangerous consequences of crossing him, there is a palpable sense of the steel fist being barely concealed within the velvet glove. Peter’s incarnation of the Baron could not be further away from the urbanity of Jason King and is a flawless demonstration of his superlative performance range.

The extent of Peter’s continuing influence was confirmed when Mike Myers based Austin Powers on a combination of Jason King and James Bond. Peter’s portrayal of Jason provided a key inspiration, particularly in the sartorial department. This is a cinematic homage indeed and may have prompted Jason to state “…remind me to sue for copyright”!  Continuing on the theme of James Bond, if ever there was a role that was tailor made for Peter then surely that was 007 himself.  Ian Fleming’s original depiction of the Bond character combined a world weary, cynical toughness with glamour and sophistication. I feel that Peter would have been perfect for the screen role, combining the charm and wit of Roger Moore and the ruthless edge of Sean Connery. Whilst the Bond movies have been hugely successful with great actors in the role, I still find it fascinating to speculate on what might have been!

The decade that followed Department S was the golden age of television drama and produced many fine actors. Edward Woodward, Bernard Hepton, Peter Barkworth, James Maxwell and T.P. McKenna are particular favourites of mine. Peter rightfully takes his place amongst this stellar cast list and, for me, is elevated to singular status because his on screen persona makes you feel better about life.  As Jason King, he is upbeat, positive and avant garde in his pleasure seeking – someone who is indisputably unburdened with the travails of the ordinary world. Peter’s appeal continues to transcend generations and ephemeral trends. Thank you Peter and long may your star shine with dazzling intensity.

By Neil Haddow and Lee Haddow  – Glasgow

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When looking at cult icons there are not many who can lay claim to going toe-to-toe with Dick Barton, Alexander the Great, Ben Gunn, Sherlock Holmes, The Baron, The Avengers, The Saint, The Prisoner, The Champions, Flash Gordon, Doctor Who and The Two Ronnies! Peter Wyngarde is a man who can and when he did, he did it in great style!

The enigmatic Peter Wyngarde transcended every screen and stage he appeared on and as people clambered to find out more about him the mystery of the man grew deeper! As Jason King, Wyngarde captured the souls of a generation. This role which began in the television series “Department S” and later in its spin-off “Jason King” remains as relevant today as it did back in 1969. What makes it even more interesting was Wyngarde revealed to CultFaction.com back in August 2017 that he “didn’t want to commit to a series, but they wore me down and I ended up signing on the dotted line. Actually, it was on a napkin in a restaurant.” It was the guarantee of “carte blanche” to do whatever he liked with the role that lead Wyngarde to developing a character that can comfortably stand next to James Bond, The Saint, The Beatles, and The Avengers in the tapestry of British iconography.

How far does this influence spread? Well between 1976 and 1979, The Bullet comic – ran a story called “Fireball” where its hero looked a lot like Peter Wyngarde; as did John Byrne’s comic book character Jason Wyngarde (big clue in the name!), leader of The Hell Fire Club in The Uncanny X-Men. Even in recent years, it is clear to see that the character of Mr. Six in Grant Morrison’s The Invisibles is heavily based on Jason King. When asked about the influence King had Wyngarde humbly responded “I just believe he was the right character at the right time. I guess he just brought some colour into people’s lives.”

Wyngarde was more than just Jason King though, his turn as John Cartney in The Avengers “A Touch of Brimstone” episode remains one of the shows most discussed episodes, as did his role as Number 2 in The Prisoner episode “Checkmate.” Wyngarde was a man who could make the most out of any role he was given and had the ability to snatch a scene from under the show’s regular stars. It was in fact the challenges he placed on himself as a character actor that led him to taking the role of Klytus in Flash Gordon as he “felt it would be a new challenge in projecting a character from behind a mask,” and project he did.

The contribution Peter Wyngarde made to popular culture is unquestionable (I haven’t even touched on his music career) and his influences lives on today. Michael Myers has stated on record that without Peter Wyngarde there would be no Austin Powers and his name remains a cool name to drop into conversation be it the Harry Enfield comedy sketch “The Playboys” or Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace noting that Wyngarde “had it all” – the fact remains like all good artists, Wyngarde’s work will be rediscovered and enjoyed for generations to come.

Thank you Peter.

By Brett Summers – The Cult Faction: https://cultfaction.com/

For the first time ever in print, the complete life story of a television and style icon

To place your order from either Amazon or directly from the publisher, click on the appropriate icon below:

The book is available as a Hardback, Paperback and eBook

Further information

Peter Wyngarde: the name elicits memories of an actor with worldwide renown and instantly adhesive star quality. During a more leisurely time, so far from internet gossip as to be barely recognisable, this is a biography that glued two people together for several decades to create a journal of the rise and relaxation of a household name and the adoration they enjoyed.

The author has not placed their subject on a pedestal to unwittingly create an epic story of fame, fortune, the price of both and the cost of each other. With a wealth of stories to fascinate and appal in equal measure, and given it’s subject’s continuing fascination for a more worldly generation who would barely have heard of the power of the Lord Chamberlain, there is plenty to consume a worldwide readership for the story of someone whose fame hid fragility but whose status was the stuff of legend. 

Good luck with the book, Tina. I’m really looking forward to reading it. With all my best wishes, Joel Fabiani “Tina’s life story of Peter is a must read from the one who knew him best.” Sam J. Jones – Actor “A fascinating, wonderfully written book.”  Steven Berkoff  “I have rarely read a biography that gives such a complete sense of its subject, both as an artist and as a real human being.” Tania Donald – Author and Artist

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AUTHOR’s NOTES

Firstly, the is not a conventional biography, as it’s in two parts, the first half of which tells Peter’s story from his birth until the late 1980s, which was when I first met him. It then becomes more of a memoir, covering both his career and our time together.

There are contributions to the book from many well-known personalities, who were Peter’s friends and colleagues.

Much of what’s contained in the book is in Peter’s own words, which has been taken from his own writing, and both letters to and from him – including the 2,000 letters, texts and emails he sent to me.

Since Peter gave few interviews to the press and little is known about his private life, many myths have inevitably sprung up about him. This book dispels many of those rumours and tackles the misconceptions born out of media misrepresentation with reasoned argument and genuine evidence.

The book is extremely detailed and honest. Although many of the fallacies about Peter are dispelled within its pages, there has been no attempt to whitewash over the bad moments in his. I have been 100% truthful throughout, and provides evidence to back any argument I make.

I have relied on my vast collection of private papers, original scripts, legal documents, court transcripts, personal diaries and private audio tapes etc., collected by myself over a 30-year period.

The book will also include some rare and never-before-seen photographs of Peter from his childhood, and throughout his seventy-year career.

The nature of the relationship I shared with Peter is laid bare in HIS words, and corroborated by mutual friends and show business acquaintances. This, I hope, will finally put to bed the vicious and cruel accusations levelled against me in the wake of Peter’s death in January, 2018.

The project is backed by Peter’s agent, Thomas Bowington (https://bowingtonmanagement.uk/).

The book is available to buy from the following outlets: Amazon, Waterstones, WH Smith, Gardners Books, Barnes & Nobel, Bertrams, Nielsen, Ingram, Bam! and Indiebound. You will also be able to purchase directly from Austin-Macaulay themselves.

The author of this book does not wish to make any money from Peter Wyngarde’s name. Any royalties earned from the sale of the biography will be donated directly to

Click below for…

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Broadcast:Thursday, 9th August 1956

Character: Marquis de Grieux

Some Background

What can one possibly do in a place called Roulettenburg than play Roulette?

Technically, it’s a spa town, and some of the characters do talk about “taking the waters”, but it’s the casino rather than the spring which draws them to this part of the Rhine; it’s to the whirling table and spinning ball that visitors devote themselves.

And with what devotion! ‘The Gambler’ is a study in obsession, an account in which the hoarse call of the croupier is answered without regard to the cost in terms of money and lives.

In the first stages of the play it’s simply money that draws the principle characters to the casino. The General is up to his ears in debt; even his stepdaughter inheritance is mortgaged to the Marquis de Grieux, who dogs their every footstep awaiting repayment. There can’t be any delay, since the Generals aunt is dying, and then he’ll be able to clear his debts and be able to marry the merry-eyed Mademoiselle Blanche.

In the middle of all this – half-spectator, half-participant, stands the tutor, Ivanovich, poor himself (his wages are always in arrears) and tortured by Polina who he loves but who flaunts before him her relationship with the Marquis de Grieux and a potential lesion with an Englishman.

Alexis hates the casino; he despises his bad luck, crudity and greed of those who play there. But he’s driven to play himself to try to get money for Polina. She spurs him on; others use him too, and the fever sets in…

The Story

The events take place in the German spa town of Roulettenberg in 1850.

Private tutor, Alexei Ivanovich (James Donald), arrives in town with his employer’s three young nieces, the grown-up Polina Alexandrovna (Rosalie Crutchley), and her two younger sisters.  

The head of the family, General Zagoriansky, latterly arrives in Roulettenberg. He has been forced to secure large loans against his properties in Russia to a wealthy young Frenchman, the Marquis de Grieux (Peter Wyngarde).

Alexei describes the Marquis as follows: “De Grieux is like all Frenchmen, that is, cheerful and amiable when it was necessary and profitable, and insufferably dull when the necessity to be cheerful and amiable ceased. A Frenchman is rarely amiable by nature; he is always amiable as if on command, out of calculation”.

With the General is Mademoiselle Blanche Cominges (Andrée Melly) – a notorious gold digger, whose plan is to accept Zagoriansky’s proposal of marriage as soon as he receives an inheritance from his aunt back in Russia. Polina, meanwhile, is perused both by the Marquis and an English nobleman by the name of Astley (Gordon Whiting), whilst the penniless Alexei who’s also in love with her, is treated with all the contempt she can muster.

One day, however, Polina asks Alexei to place a bet for her at the town’s casino. Although he initially delays – fearing that she’ll lose her money, the wager turns out to be a winner. However, when he asks her why she’d been so desperate for him to lay the bet, she refuses to tell him.

Alexei, it emerges, has loved Polina since their first meeting – a fact that she’s well aware of. But when he finally plucks up the courage to tell her of his feelings, her response is cruel and heartless. Nevertheless, he sets out to uncover what Polina needed the winnings for, whereupon he learns from Astley that Zagoriansky’s family are penniless.

During a walk in the mountains one day, Alexei pledges himself – body and soul – to Polina, adding that he’d gladly throw himself off the nearest cliff if it was to please her. When moments later, the two see the Baron and Baroness Burmerhelm (Boris Ranevsky and Elaine Inescort) who’re also taking in the mountain air. Polina challenges Alexei to verbally abuse the couple, both for her own amusement and to test Ivanovich. Without a moment’s indecision, he lets fly at the Baron and his wife – resulting in him losing his job teaching Zagoriansky’s children.

Soon afterwards, the General’s aunt (Hermione Baddeley) – who is known to the family as Baboulinka (‘Grandmother’) – turns up in the town with her Servant (Gerald Lawson) having made a full recovery. She declares that she’s been aware all along of her nephew’s debts, and that she’s determined he will never get his hands on any of her money. She now asks Alexei to act as her guide around town, which is famed equally for its restorative waters as it is for its gambling den. It turns out that the old lady wishes to gamble.

Once at the roulette table, she places a large amount of money on her chosen number, which she subsequently loses. This losing streak continues for most of the night, and so by the time she leaves for home three days later, she’s squandered over 100,000 Roubles.

Returning from the railway station after seeing Zagoriansky’s aunt off, Ivanovich is met by Polina, who’s waiting for him at his hotel. She shows him a letter from the Marquis de Grieux who, it says, intends to sell her stepfather’s properties in an effort to recoup the money he’s owed.

Polina now admits that she is de Grieux’s lover, but wishes that she has enough money so that she could free herself from the French nobleman. When he hears this, Alexei immediately goes to the casino and eagerly places bet after bet, until he’s able to return to Polina with his pockets filled with gold. Initially, she indicts Alexei of attempting to buy her as de Grieux had done, but then she thinks better of him, and the two eventually fall asleep on the couch in his room. In spite of this, the following morning she requests 25,000 Francs from Alexei, which she instantly throws back into his face before leaving to find Mr Astley with whom she’s been trading notes.   

On learning that Zagoriansky has been disinherited by ‘Baboulinka’, Mademoiselle Cominges leaves the hotel where she’d been staying with the General, but before she returns to Paris with her Chaperone, she successes in tempting Alexei to go with them.

After only a month in the French capital, Mademoiselle Cominges manages in squandering Alexei’s entire fortune on elaborate dinners and lavish parties. Unbeknown to the former tutor, the General has followed them to Paris, and once the Lady has protected enough of Alexei’s money, she dumps the young man and marries Zagoriansky.

Now destitute, Alexei starts to gamble as his last option to survive. One day, whist passing through a park in Bad Homburg, he bumps into Mr Astley who’s sitting on a park bench. The Englishman tells the former tutor that Polina, who is now resident in Switzerland that, in spite of her barbed comments towards him, she really did love him. Astley adds that, whilst Alexei had been away, Baboulinka had finally passed away, leaving all her wealth to Polina and her siblings.

Before leaving, Astley hands Ivanovich some cash, in spite of his knowing that it would inevitable end up in the hands of a croupier somewhere. As the Englishman predicted, Alexei heads for the nearest casino, dreaming of what made him win in Roulettenberg and of going to Switzerland to find Polina. 

Critics Comments

Lime Grove are fielding a strong cast for ‘The Gambler’, an adaptation from a story by Fyodor Dostoevsky. From the distinguished cast list of Hermione Baddeley, Roselie Crutchley, James Donald, Andrée Melly and Peter Wyngarde. It is clear that this can be regarded as a major TV production. The Daily Mirror, Wednesday, 8th August 1956

Broadcast: Sunday, 17th November, 1957

Character: Doctor Bannerji

Some Background

Iain McCormick’s prestige as one of television’s most competent playwrights in the 1950’s, stood higher than ever after the completion of his four-play cycle, ‘The English Family Robinson’.

Although the press appeared not to be greatly impressed by the first play in the series (‘The Third Miracle’ – Broadcast: 14th November, 1957), each of the other subsequent episodes succeeded in improving on the one before. Indeed, Norman Cook of the Liverpool Echo described ‘Free Passage Home’ – the fourth and final instalment of this mini-series – as “a masterpiece of the dramatic, but finely controlled television craftsmanship”. 

By all accounts, the saga had been and excellent, thought-provoking series that stressed the fact that Britain – usually blamed by all sides in any situation, had done much for the Indian people and had nothing to be ashamed of. 

The Story

The action of the play is set in the District of Dalpore, India, in 1947

McCormick’s ‘English Family Robinson’, was a four-part drama series which drew a lifelike picture of India during British rule, with each of the stories being presented in an intensely and personal way. The fourth and final play brought the epic up to 1947.

‘Free Passage Home’ told the story of Ross Robinson’s son, Sandy – a commissioner in the Indian Civil Service, who’s charged with the duty of handing over the administration at the time of the partition of India on August 15 of that year. Unfortunately his North-Western District of Dalpor is bisected by a river which becomes the frontier between the new India and Pakistan.

The story opens just two days before the handover. Robinson has been ordered to avoid violence at all costs, but the inflamed racial tensions threaten to break into a wave of murder and destruction, while refugee columns struggled to reach safety through hostile country.

Peter (left) as Doctor Bannerji, with John Robinson as Sandy Robinson and Olaf Pooley as Mirza from the play, ‘Free Passage Home’ – the last episode of the plays in the ‘English Family Robinson’ series.

Inside Robinson’s office, there’s a cross-section of the political forces at work in this darkest of hours before the dawn of a new nation. At first, the Commissioner’s sympathies appear to lie with the representatives of the new Pakistan, who were courteous and co-operative. The Hindu leader – Doctor Bannerji (Peter Wyngarde), on the other hand, is an arrogant fellow, who’s loathed to co-operate and pointedly discourteous. In the end, however, even he was shown to be not so bad after all.

The Commissioner even had a good word for the Communist leader, who was also shown earning the gratitude of the British by rescuing the Robinson’s wife from an angry Hindu mob.

‘Free Passage Home’ successfully combined powerful entertainment value with a tolerably praiseworthy attempt to summarise the political arguments of the period (and which continue to this day) of a period in Indian history which was at once great and tawdry.

Critics Comments

“Peter Wyngarde seemed to have sprung viciously from a cistern of coiled snakes.His was a fierce performance.” The Listener “Peter Wyngarde contributed a striking and incisive performance as the Hindu leader” The Liverpool Echo “Last night’s episode was also outstanding for the performance of Peter Wyngarde”. The Evening Chronicle “This play cycle has been outstanding for the quality of the performances of the many members of the cast, and none have been better than Mr Peter Wyngarde, who we saw last night”. The Stage “Peter Wyngarde as Dr. Banneji, a local leader of the Hindu sect, proved again the potentialities of this actor”. The Times

Richmond Theatre, London

Character: Tom Donnelly

“I do not like cages. I think that the few minutes between the door of the cage and the jaws of the cat make life worth living.”

The Story

William Gillie (Percy Cartwright) is a school headmaster who lives in the Scottish coal-mining village of Crult; a place where his pupils are fated for the domestic service or the mine. Undeterred by the misgivings of his long-suffering wife (Margo Boyd) and much against the ideals of the churchmen who pay his wages, Gillie perseveres in offering private tutoring in philosophy and literature to any of his pupils that shows some academic promise.

To date, not a single one of Gillie’s students have shown any real promise, leading the Education Committee to question his suitability as a teacher.

Things go from bad to worse when Pit Boy Tom Donnelly (Peter Wyngarde), a capable young writer, announces that he’s not only involved with Nelly (Pamela Galloway) – the daughter of the village doctor, but that they intend to elope to London. Soon public opinion turns against Gillie, who is accused of offering the two young lovers unsuitable careers advice and, moreover, for failing to stop them from consummating their affair on church property. The angriest of his accusers is none other than Dr Watson, who is enraged that he might lose his daughter to “A black-faced pit boy!”

Right: Peter as Pitboy, Tom Donnelly

Further to the pressure placed upon the Education Committee by Dr Watson, the village schoolhouse is inevitably closed down. Wageless and destitute, Gillie falls behind with the rent on his cottage, which leads to the landlord evicting the former teacher and his accommodating wife. Tragedy strikes when a van that’s been hired to take away the couple’s furniture, accidentally runs down Gillie and he’s killed.

Now on the ‘other side’, the teacher is put on trial by a saintly Procurator and Judge to decide whether Mr Gillie actually achieved anything in life, or if endeavour and wishes are good enough.

In Retrospect

‘Mr Gillie’ was first performed at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow, in 1950, and starred the legendary Alistair Sim in the lead role. Subsequently, it transferred to the Garrick Theatre in London and was filmed by the BBC.

The entire play is set in the Gillie’s front room, where copious amounts of tea are served to visitor that passes through the front door.

Each of the characters are affectionately depicted by author, James Bridie, who bestows upon them his own gift of wit and humanity. The scene where Gillie castigates the selfish doctor for wanting to keep his daughter at home, cooking and cleaning for him rather than allowing her to spread her wings, is especially good. His defence of the hard-nosed Nelly, is carried out in spite of his knowing that her determination to marry Tom – an immature adolescent from the same village, is doomed to failure. Of course, the middle-aged schoolmaster, in chastising Watson, fails to acknowledge that he himself has trapped his own wife into the same tedious existence.

Broadcast: Friday, 7th June, 1957

Character: Mustafa

The Story

Playwrights like to have a setting that’s self-contained, such as a lifeboat at sea, a tiny flat, or a country house. In this play author, Evan Jones, put his characters in a refugee camp on the Gaza strip because he knew something about it, and because it seemed to him as good an image of the modern world as any of the above.

If any piece of territory qualifies for the title ‘God-forbidden’ the Gaza strip was it in the late 1940’s. There was nothing there but sand, a single crumbling town, and 250,000 unwanted people.

Below: Peter as Mustafa, with Leo McKern as Eddie

The refugees had lived in Gaza for almost a decade. Israel, overburdened with her own persecuted people, did not want them. The Arabs were already rich in poverty, and while the refugees remained they could maintain their quarrel with Israel. Although the conscience of the world would not let them die, the statesmen couldn’t find a solution to their problems. Meanwhile, the Arabs would not accept Israel because, to them, the country was a usurper of their ancient land; a western colony that brought ideas and techniques which threatened their way of life.

This was the background to ’The Widows of Jaffa’, but the play was not about politics – it was about people. In the 1940’s, the refugee camps were organised by a group of Quaker volunteers working for the United Nations. Their biggest problem was registration. This had to be done through the representatives of the refugees, since the only outside force was the corrupt and defeated Egyptian Army. In the interests of justice, the Registration Lists had to be accurate. The volunteers were strangers and outnumbered, but they had a weapon: the power of hunger.

‘The Widows of Jaffa’ was loosely based on the experiences of the author who, after completing his education at the small liberalised Quaker college of Harvard, Pennsylvania, went to Palestine with the American Friends Service Committee. The action takes place in 1949, several months after the Arab-Israeli War.

Soldiers were specifically excluded from the play, which tells the story of a newly-arrived Quaker missionary in one of the camps camp on the Strip.

The misery of this ‘waiting out of time’ and the appalling thought that such wretchedness could exist only a few hours away from the capitals of Europe were the predominant impressions taken from this powerful and wonderfully-acted drama.

Desperately wanting to know whether Christ’s teachings could be made to work, Camp Leader, Andrew – played by Patrick Allen, finds nothing but deception, cynicism and corruption around him.

In sharp contrast to the idealist Andrew, Camp Coordinator, Eddie (Leo McKern), is frustrated and disillusioned – wisecracking his way through one of the dirtiest jobs in the world. He and Andrew clash over almost everything, not least the Ration Lists that the team have been sent to make.

Left: Peter with Patrick Allan, Leo McKern and Evan Jones during a rehearsal for the play.

Additionally there’s interpreter, Mustafa (Peter Wyngarde), who is embittered by the loss of his homeland, and yet is torn between his allegiance to the Arabs and his attraction to the Westerners who he works for.

Into the mix comes merchant, Abu Mahmoud (Harold Kasket), who controls the Lists for his own personal profit; the boy, Abdel Rahman (Frank Aiello), who has known no life but that in the camps; and the eponymous widows of Jaffa, veiled from head to toe – pawns in a struggle for food.

It was to the credit of the three principal actors that they didn’t allow Jones’ philosophising to drown out the characters.

‘This play was written with fire and insight, and distinguished, too, by a beautiful performance from Mr Peter Wyngarde, whose voice is a gift even rarer than his striking look’s. The Sunday Times

Please click here for a complete list of all contents

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© The Hellfire Club: The OFFICIAL PETER WYNGARDE Appreciation Society: https://www.facebook.com/groups/813997125389790/

Broadcast: Wednesday, 20th March 1957

Character: Hovstad

The story is set in Norway. 

 Act I: Dr Stockmann’s Living Room.

Act II: Dr. Stockmann’s Living Room.

Act III: The Editorial Office of ‘The People’s Herald’.

Act IV: Large hall at Captain Horster’s house

Act V: Dr Stockmann’s Study.

Some Background

One of the greatest writers of the 19th Century – Henrik Ibsen, provided a tense story for Granada’s Play of the Week on 20th March, 1957.

This play was of enormous interest because it had been adapted by one of America’s foremost dramatists – Arthur Miller. Granada couldn’t have chosen a more dramatic moment to present Miller’s version of this great work, because it concerned a man’s fight for what he believes to be right.

Miller himself was a champion of what he believed to be right, having refused to reveal the names of fellow writers who took part in extreme Left Wing activities in the late 1940’s, even though this denial brought him before a Congressional Committee and led to him facing trial on charges of contempt of Congress.

No dramatist was more in harmony with Ibsen than Miller. His work on ‘Enemy of the People’ revealed his understanding of the formers mind and of his craft.

Miller, who was once married to Marilyn Monroe, had written many famous plays, including ‘Death of a Salesman’ and ‘All My Sons’. His thesis of the latter of these works was similar to that of ‘Enemy of the People’. The message implicit in both these plays is that a man’s social responsibilities are above self-interest: he should champion what he believes is right even though it may bring disaster to himself and to his family.

Miller’s adaptation altered nothing of the essence of ‘Enemy of the People’. The great play was there with all its warmth of feeling, its humour and its depth. Though the characters express themselves differently (Miller had substituted language of the 1880’s with that of the 1950’s), the meaning of their words were not altered but sharpened. Every word landed a punch.

The principal character is Dr Stockmann – general practitioner of a small town, who discovers bacteria infecting the water supplying a newly-opened health spa. He warns the leading men of the town, who refuse to believe him. When he’s inevitably proved to be correct, he exclaims: “Now they’re going to get it with both barrels!” 

Ibsen was the first dramatist to make his characters behave as they would in real life, his language would be probably be far more choice!

Ibsen wrote ‘An Enemy of the people’ in 1882 as a fighting reply to the abuse hurled at him after the publication of ‘Ghosts’ a year earlier. When he was reviled by the public, the press and the intellectuals, he promptly sat down to satirise, in ‘Enemy of the People’: the crassness, hypocrisy and stupidity of the “compact majority”.

Dr Stockmann is an irrepressible character; optimistic, fiery and with his own sly humour. “Well, it shows you, that’s all,” he comments on his return from a public meeting with his clothes torn. “A man who goes out to fight for the truth should never wear his best suit.” 

Stockmann is a typical; “agitator” to be found in every community, and ‘An Enemy of the People’ was full of fun – one of the most exuberant plays Ibsen ever wrote.

“I am descended from peasants and believe in my people!” Hovstad

The Story

The play opens in Dr Stockmann’s (John Robinson) living room, where his wife (Jessica Spencer), is welcoming Mr Billing (Tom Criddle) who’s been invited to dinner. No sooner has this gentleman taken his seat at the table when there’s a knock at the door. When Mrs Stockmann answers it, she finds Hovstad (Peter Wyngarde) – Editor of the local left-wing newspaper, ‘The People’s Herald’, standing outside.

Moments after Hovstad’s arrival, there’s a second knock at the door. This time it’s her brother-in-law, Peter Stockmann (Clive Morten) – the town’s Mayor. Hovstad and the Mayor greet each other rigidly, and then begin to discuss the building of the new public baths, which both agree are an excellent addition to the town. However, when Hovstad announces that the baths had originally been Dr Stockmann’s idea, the Mayor appears annoyed.

Just as the Newspaper man takes his seat at the dinner table, the Doctor arrives home, bringing with him his two sons, Eilif (Brian Franklin) and Morten (Anthony Wilson), along with Captain Horster (Edward Forsyth). It’s clear from the off that the Doctor and his brother – the Mayor, are not on the best of terms, since the GP snappily counters each and all of his brother’s observation and opinions, and routinely talks over him.

Nevertheless, the Mayor asks his brother what he thinks of an article he’d penned about the new baths for Hovstad’s ’paper. The Doctor replies cryptically that he hopes the piece won’t be printed immediately, as it might turn out to be unfitting. The Mayor becomes agitated at this, since the Doctor plainly doesn’t wish to enlighten him any further on this point. With Stockmann remaining tight-lipped, the Mayor decides to leave.

The following day, Hovstad and his colleague, Billing, plus Horster and Mrs Stockmann meet at the latter’s home for a chat over a drink and a cigarette. The Editor brings up the difficult relationship between the Mayor and his ‘paper. But before a heated exchange ignites between the two men, the Captain interjects – announcing that he himself is due to sail to America soon. Hovstad and Billing are both stunned to hear this, and remind the sailor that he’d be missing an important election that’s scheduled to take place in the town later that month.

Momentarily, Petra (Jill Dixon) – Dr Stockmann’s daughter and the night school teacher, arrives with a letter for her father, which he’d clearly been eagerly awaiting. He takes the letter with him to his study where it’s read. When he reemerges, Stockmann announces that he’d recently taken samples of the water at the new public baths which he’d subsequently sent to a lab. The result of the tests he’d carried out were contained in the envelope brought by his daughter. The water, he declares, is dangerously polluted.

The Doctor goes on to tell the gathering that contaminated water from local industries has been seeping into the bath’s pump room, and that if the town’s hierarchy had listened to his advice about the drainage system in the first place, this problem would’ve been avoided.

Those around the table are full of admiration for the Doctor’s prompt action, and praise him for saving the town. The predicament, he maintains, can easily be rectified.

A few days later, Mrs Stockmann hands her husband a newly delivered letter, which is a response from the Mayor to the report from the lab. His reply curtly states that he will speak with Stockmann about it at a later date.

Some days later, the Mayor calls on his brother for the sole purpose, it transpires, of sniggering at the Doctor’s findings – saying that the Town Council would be mad if they were to believe it. Just then Hovstad arrives, and tells the Doctor that he hopes to publish an article about his findings in ‘The People’s Herald’, which he hopes will kindle a campaign against the town’s right-wing leadership since the real contamination, he says, comes from them.

Whilst the Doctor agrees that Right-Wing ideology is not the way forward, he’s still somewhat reluctant to start a concentrated assault on the Town Council which, after all, is led by his own brother.

Aslaksen (John Salew), a friend of the Stockmann’s and Chairman of the influential Homeowner’s Association, arrives to offer his support to the Doctor. He suggests that he should organize a peaceful demonstration in an effort to exert pressure on the Council to resolve the issue. The Doctor, however, doesn’t believe that such a protest is necessary, as he’s certain that he can persuade the baths’ Board of Directors to take the required action.

When Aslaksen’s departs, Hovstad, who’d been listening intently to the other men’s conversation, dubs the Doctor a weakling for his lack of desire to take on the Council, but Stockmann insists that if the Mayor fails to act with regard to town’s water system, then Hovstad would be welcome to publish the whole of the laboratory’s report in his ‘paper.

In the Editorial Office of ‘The People’s Herald’ the following afternoon, Hovstad is writing at his desk when Billing arrives with a copy of Dr Stockmann’s findings. The two men deliberate over the persuasiveness of the report, and how they might use it to confront the Council. Hovstad is convinced that if the Doctor’s pitch is officially recognised, then the Mayor would inevitably be confronted by those who invested in the baths and the powerful Homeowners Association.

At this point Stockmann turns up to disclose to the newspaper men the details concerning the row he’d had with his brother. The three of them agree that this scandal could well result in the downfall of the Council and its leader. When Aslaksen also appears, they each inn turn guarantee the GP that both the left-wing activists of the town, and the regular man on the street, will all back him. Secretly, both Hovstad and Aslaksen agree that the Doctor will be very useful to both of them, even if for different reasons.

When Aslaksen vacates the office, Hovstad and Billing – the latter of whom, it emerges, is standing for public office himself (if only to annoy the establishment!), converse about how much they’d like to be rid of him. Unfortunately, they have to rely on him and the powerful Homeowner’s Association whose money enables them to publish their newspaper. They then consider the possibility of the Doctor providing them with financial support.

As Billing leaves, Petra arrives to translate an English news item for the paper, but on reading it she immediately changes her mind – saying that the content is in direct opposition to everything that she and the ‘paper stands for. Hovstad explains that he thought the piece, which is about how higher ideas (or ‘Free Thinking’) can help guide a person’s actions, would help keep their less gifted readers happy.

Although Petra might expect this kind of low calculating from Hovstad, she’s surprised at Billing, with whom she’s involved with romantically. Whilst she still refuses to translate the article, she thanks the Editor for his support of her father.

To Hovstad’s astonishment, the Mayor now arrives and remarks on what a marvelous set-up the young Editor has. He begins by talking about his brother’s proposition for the baths, to which Hovstad claims to have no knowledge. That’s until the visitor notices a copy of the Doctor’s report lying on the desk.

The Mayor continues by warning Hovstad that, if Stockmann’s proposals are accepted by the Council, it could prove disastrous for the town. The baths, he explains, would have to close for upwards of two years, and that the costs for all the work would have to come from a civic loan.

On hearing this, both Hovstad and Billin begin to have second thoughts about backing the Doctor who, at that very moment, is seen walking towards the office. Given that he doesn’t wish to be seen fraternising with newspaper men, the Mayor hides from his brother in an adjoining room.

Stockmann wishes to see the first draft of the article about his findings, but Hovstad tells him that it’s not as yet been prepared. While the cheery medic interprets the two journalists caginess as a sign that they might be planning some festivities in his honour, Hovstad attempts to convey how things actually stand.

Just then Mrs Stockmann charges into the office, where she begs her husband not to risk everything by publishing his article. The Doctor smiles and calmly reassures her that he’ll soon have the majority of the townsfolk behind him. He then notices the Mayors traditional hat and cane lying on a chair, and deduces that his brother must be in the office somewhere. He puts the hat on and begins impersonating his sibling, until the Mayor can stand the insult no longer, and shows himself in the doorway of the adjoining room.

Several days later, a large room at Captain Horster’s house is full to the rafters with people from the town. Mr Billing has been sent to report on the meeting, whilst Horster is there with Mrs Stockmann and her children.

Meanwhile, Hovstad, Aslaksen and the Mayor arrive and take their places. They’re followed in short order by Dr Stockmann, who’s greeted with a mixture of applause and cat-calls from the assembled crowd.

The Mayor immediately prevents his brother from addressing the gathering with his report or, indeed, from mentioning the baths at all. Whilst he and Aslaksen work in tandem to influence the people in thinking that the Doctor is merely attempting to damage the interests of the town, Hovstad asserts that his sole concern is for the Doctor and his dependents. A recommendation is passed that the Stockmann’s case should be dismissed.

The Medic is plainly angry at the betrayal of those who’d sworn to support him. The final straw comes when a drunk (Reginald Marsh) staggers into the meeting room just as the Doctor is about to speak, and demands his right to be heard. Whilst the interloper is quickly dispensed with, Stockmann reminds those assembled that it was initially his idea to build the baths, and that he only ever wanted those facilities to be beneficial to the people of the town.

Although Aslaksen attempts to quiet him, the Medic’s parting shot is aimed at the Council, his says that he hadn’t bargained for the immense foolishness of those in power. In this he means the disappointing behaviour of his own brother. But, he adds, they’re not the party most guilty of stupidity. The people themselves must shoulder most of the blame for allowing the power of the majority to lie in the hands of the minority.

He now rounds on Hovstad and asks if, as a supposed ‘Freethinker’ himself, if he would agree with him. The Editor replies that, nowhere has it ever been said in print that he’s a “Freethinker” adding that, no, he does not agree with Stockmann’s foolish statement. “I am descended from peasants and believe in my people”, the newspaperman retorts.

Undeterred, Stockmann asserts that if the Peoples Herald refuses to publish his report, he will find a newspaper in another town that will.

With this, Hovstad stands and accuses Stockmann of being “An Enemy of the People”. In his agitated state, the Doctor agrees – stating that he’d be happy to remain so as long as he knows that what he’s doing is right. Meanwhile, as Aslaksen collects the ballot papers from the assembled crowd, Billing tells several of the locals that the Doctor is, in fact, a heavy drinker, and as a result, had recently been deprived of a raise in his salary by the Council.

When Aslaksen announces the result of the vote, and Stockmann is affirmed ‘An Enemy of the People’, he leaves with his family – the sound of the masses chanting “Enemy!” ringing in his ears.

The morning after the meeting, Dr Stockmann is found picking up the stones that had broken every window of his study the evening before. To add insult to injury, the landlord arrives thereafter to serve the family with notice of their impending eviction. In spite of this downturn in his fortunes, the Doctor remains optimistic now that he’s decided to leave for America with his family on Captain Horster’s next boat, where they’re to start a new life.

His wife is not quite so sure about the plan – proposing that a move to another town in Norway would be more prudent, but the Doctor is resolute; the people will be the same wherever they go in their own country, he maintains. At least in America things might be different.

The Doctor feels wholly justified in planning the family’s relocation when Petra arrives home to tell her parents that she’s been dismissed from her job after her boss was intimidated for employing her.

When Horster arrives, however, the Doctor’s fervor is dealt a blow on learning that the Captain has also lost his position – having been dismissed by the ship’s owner for his continued support of the Stockmann’s.

Hot on Horster’s tail is the Mayor, who arrives at his brother’s home to announce that the Doctor has been removed from his position as Medical Officer at the baths, and to request that he leaves town for six months or so. If, after that time, he’s willing to freely withdraw his testimony regarding the polluted water, then the Council would consider giving him his job back.

As a man of principal, the Medic flatly refuses to cooperate. The Mayor now suggests that the reason his brother feels so assured in his defiance of the Council, is because Morten Kiil – a local tannery owner – has provided for the Doctor and his family in his Will. This comes as a total surprise to the Stockmann, but when the Mayor adds that the elderly businessman might now decide to rewrite his Will in view of the Medic’s recent behaviour. Stockmann reject this, saying that Kiil has no love for the authorities, and that he’d be absolutely delighted to see the Doctor rocking the boat.

On hearing this, the Mayor accuses his brother of causing trouble in the town merely to ingratiate himself with Kiil, and now that he’s armed with this information, he assures the Doctor that he’ll never get his job back.

When Kiil arrives moments later, he brings with him a number of share bonds in the baths. The tannery owner suggests that if the Doctor was to retract his statement, the value of the shares that he’d bought cheaply that very morning would increase substantially, and leave him as the majority shareholder. He’d then be able to start work on the repairs that the GP had originally recommended. He asks the Doctor to consider his proposal, and to let him have his answer that afternoon.

As Kiil leaves, Aslaksen and Hovstad arrive with their own proposal for Stockmann. They’re aware that Kiil has been buying up blocks of shares, so they offer to give the Doctor full use of ‘The People’s Herald’ as soon as Kiil gains control of the baths so that he can convince the public that the water problem has been solved.

The two men advise the Doctor that the press have a huge amount of power in a town like theirs; all that they would require is some form of recompense in order to keep the newspaper running. Stockmann retorts sardonically – saying that it would be a travesty for sure if ‘The ‘People’s Herald’ – a real “friend of the people” should fold. However, since he himself has been declared ‘An Enemy of the People’, he really couldn’t care less what happens to the ‘paper! He then chases the two men from the house with his walking cane.

On hearing the commotion, Mrs Stockmann, Petra and Captain Horster come from the living room to see what’s going on. They find the Doctor writing the word ‘No!’ three times in large letters on a card which he’s ready to send to Morten Kiil. He then announces to his wife that they won’t now be sailing to New York as planned, but will stay put and fight. Given that the family are about to lose their own home, the Captain offers them a place at his house. There, the Doctor would be able to continue running his medical practice for the poorer residents of the town, since the more affluent townsfolk would doubtless refuse to see him.

Stockmann gratefully accepts Horster’s generous offer and vows to take on the rats that run the Council. His sole concern, he confesses, is that there might not be a single man in the town who’d be willing to carry on the fight after he’s gone.

When Eilif and Morten – Stockmann’s sons arrive having been sent home from school for fighting, the Doctor resolves to establish a school for the poor in the hall where he was declared ‘An Enemy of the People’.

Mr Stockmann, though, still has reservations – not least as she believes that the authorities will continue to persecute her husband. He reassures here, however, that he will always be stronger than them, because he stands alone.