Today I would like to talk about John Drake's latest spyware, plus comment on the high number of returning guest stars in this episode.
In the spy gadget arena we have seen a cigarette lighter double as a radio receiver (in the first series episode 'The Brothers'), and later in the second series we are introduced to the infamous lighter that takes surreptitious photographs. In this episode Drake is able to convert his cigarette lighter into a two-way radio, albeit only for Morse code. I thought the antenna on this gadget was quite clever. To fit a rather long antenna in a rather small space the gadget designers used a flat metal strip -like on a measuring tape. The antenna simply rolled in and out of the lighter. Genius. This brings the total number of bonafide spy gadgets up to seven (by my definition anyhow). My other reviews cover the other gadgets.
GUEST STAR BONANZA: One of the things that make Danger Man so outstanding are the performances turned in by the guest stars. And one of the ways the producers of the show got great performances was by hiring many of the stock actors over and over. When they found an actor good at doing 'characters', they dipped into that well repeatedly. According to my calculations the show used one particular actor in a total of six episodes (Warren Mitchell). Several other actors made up to four or five appearances, sometimes across both the ½ hour as well as the 1 hour series.
This episode is a case in point. We see nine repeat guest stars!
If we employ a 'ladies first' rule, first up is British actor Jane Merrow, who is as talented as she is lovely. Jane puts on a Spanish accent in this installment of Danger Man (or Secret Agent if you prefer) and plays the fresh-faced PR contact assigned to be a companion for (or perhaps to spy on) Drake, who is acting as a journalist. Interestingly, Jane returns later in the season in nearly the exact same role in "The Man who Wouldn't Talk'. The only real difference is that in one show she succumbs to Drake's charms and betrays her country to assist his mission, and in the other show she remains loyal to her homeland. You will see which is which as you watch. ;>
Jane returns a 3rd time in what I think is her best appearance, and it's quite a good episode too; 'A Room in the Basement'. Here we get to see that Jane has good acting range. She seems a very intelligent woman and I can imagine she was fun on the set as well.
Next we have Eric Pohlmann, who had already turned in two performances in the ½ hour series first as a jolly yet beleaguered baker, and later as a self-interested Inn Keeper. Eric would go on to do a fourth appearance later in the season. In each episode Eric does what a good character actor should do; act the character! He immerses himself in whatever role he is called upon to perform and becomes that person.
Ronald Radd plays the overbearing military genius Joaquin Paratore in this episode, then returns in season 2 to play the affable if not intense landlord Alexandros in 'Sting in the Tail' (must view episode!). Ronald is great in both shows.
The main co-star in this episode, James Maxwell, playing a fellow spy here, put in one other performance earlier in the season in 'Fair Exchange', on that occasion playing a German spy also allied to Drake. I would rate Peter as 'adequate' in both roles.
Marne Maitland, who plays an insignificant role in this installment, got a far meatier role as Sheik Ahmed in the ½ hr show titled 'The Leak'. Again, an adequate performance.
Believe it or not, four other actors in this episode did multiple appearances, but they were minor roles and I'm too tired to break it down for you.
