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Secret Agent
S1.E11
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  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
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IMDbPro

Don't Nail Him Yet

  • Episode aired Aug 14, 1965
  • TV-PG
  • 52m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
118
YOUR RATING
Patrick McGoohan, Raymond Adamson, and Edwin Apps in Secret Agent (1964)
ActionAdventureCrimeMysteryThriller

An agent is selling secrets to a foreign government. How he is doing this is unclear so Drake is brought in to find out, which he does by befriending him as a bumbling teacher on stress leav... Read allAn agent is selling secrets to a foreign government. How he is doing this is unclear so Drake is brought in to find out, which he does by befriending him as a bumbling teacher on stress leave.An agent is selling secrets to a foreign government. How he is doing this is unclear so Drake is brought in to find out, which he does by befriending him as a bumbling teacher on stress leave.

  • Director
    • Michael Truman
  • Writers
    • Philip Broadley
    • Ralph Smart
  • Stars
    • Patrick McGoohan
    • John Fraser
    • Sheila Allen
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    118
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Truman
    • Writers
      • Philip Broadley
      • Ralph Smart
    • Stars
      • Patrick McGoohan
      • John Fraser
      • Sheila Allen
    • 8User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos15

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    Top cast31

    Edit
    Patrick McGoohan
    Patrick McGoohan
    • John Drake
    John Fraser
    John Fraser
    • Denis Rawson
    Sheila Allen
    • Dian
    Anthony Dawson
    Anthony Dawson
    • Lucas
    Raymond Adamson
    Raymond Adamson
    • Gorton
    Edwin Apps
    Edwin Apps
    • Mumford
    Edward Chapman
    Edward Chapman
    • Sir Ralph
    Edward Cast
    • Bennett
    Wendy Richard
    Wendy Richard
    • Sue
    Leonard Monaghan
    • Lennie
    Keith Bell
    Keith Bell
    • Bill
    Jacqueline Pearce
    Jacqueline Pearce
    • Jeannie
    • (as Jackie Pearce)
    Nicholas Hawtrey
    • Waiter
    Ian Colin
    • Pub Landlord
    • (as Ian Collin)
    Roy Beck
    • Restaurant Patron
    • (uncredited)
    Dan Darnelli
    • Football Fan
    • (uncredited)
    Jack Dearlove
    • Waiter
    • (uncredited)
    Bill Hibbert
    • Football Fan
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Michael Truman
    • Writers
      • Philip Broadley
      • Ralph Smart
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews8

    7.9118
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    Featured reviews

    7planktonrules

    This one started much better than it ended.

    The Brits know that a man is involved in espionage. However, who his contacts are and how he's secreting information out of the country is a mystery. So, Drake is brought in to help some very unappreciative folks. Again and again, they dismiss Drake's methods but he is not dissuaded. Drake's plan is to make friends with the guy and use subtlety--whereas the government folks are more looking to see Drake bonk the guy on the head and magically get the answers! This was by far my favorite part of the film and seeing Drake posing as a mousy teacher who loved classical musical music was enjoyable. Unfortunately what followed was an ending that was very talky and seemed like a big disappointment--just like the really cheesy explosion at the end of the show. Decent but it sure could have been better.
    steve-1241

    getting to know you

    When Rawson is suspected of selling secrets, Drake's boss wants to bring him in. Drake will bring anyone in but he has to be sure, he then befriends Rawson. Drake posing as a nervous teacher opens up dialogue in a pub when Rawson takes pity as his classical vinyl records are destroyed by some rowdy youths(amongst them Wendy Richards). With their mutual love of music established Drake moves closer into Rawsons circle. There are some great location shots of Fulham Football Club as the two 'friends' watch a match although Drake is looking for Rawson's contacts. This episode is a great example of Mcgoohans acting range, as he develops a new persona every week. Sixties espionage does not get better than Danger Man.
    8guswhovian

    Don't Nail Him Yet

    A government official is selling secrets to the opposition, and Drake is assigned to stop him.

    Don't Nail Him Yet is a story of two halves. The first half is fantastic, with McGoohan delivering a great performance as Drake disguised as a mousy school teacher. John Fraser is also great as the double agent.

    The last 20 minutes are disappointing, and the ending is really bad. It definitely could have been better.
    6CoastalCruiser

    Drake's favorite spy gadget!

    This is not my favorite episode but it stands out because this show is where we are first introduced to perhaps the most ubiquitous spy gadget in the entire series; the cigarette lighter that doubles as a camera.

    So far in this 1964-66 1 hour series we've seen an electric shaver with a built in transmitter, a camera in an alarm clock, and audio/video surveillance gear hidden in a wine barrel. Those gadgets came and went, but the lighter that takes pictures is going to stick around for many more episodes.

    Oh how I long for the days when hidden cameras were that rare; simply as fantasy technology in a TV show. You know what I mean bothers and sisters?
    10eniko1-272-480719

    Pay attention to the banter

    There are great little exchanges between Drake, his superiors and his colleague. Revealing. Drake gets a few wins against his boss and takes a few jabs at what they demand of him. It's also clear they bring him in for this "messy job" because they have failed (including Special Branch) and then Drake goes on the save the day with his usual skills. Drake also says quotes the rhyme, "Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor. Rich man poor man, beggar man, thief." This is a very interesting foreshadowing of work by John LeCarre. The connection between this show and LeCarre's focus on spy spying on another spy.

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      During the scenes where Drake is tailing Rawson, and Rawson catches on to him, several shots show in the background very rare glimpses of what was about to become the tallest building in London, the (as it was called upon completion) 600+ foot tall Post Office Tower, at that time under construction. Notable at the time was the fact that A) there was some controversy at the time about the purpose of the tower, to the point that hearings were held on the matter and there were attempts by the government not to allow the construction to be photographed, and B) there were serious inquiries made about how the construction crane at the top of the tower, seen in all the shots, was ever going to be removed from the tower upon completion of construction. Somehow, they managed to get it off successfully.
    • Goofs
      In both dialogue and on the bookstore sign is "Incanabula". The correct word is "Incunabula", deriving from the Latin for "cradle,".i..e. books from the earliest days of printing, pre-1500.
    • Quotes

      Dian: [as Dian & Rawson enter her flat, they're startled to see John Drake, who's now standing in the centre of her room] Who are you?

      John Drake: Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man, begger man, thief. Have you got a light?

      Dian: What are you doing here?

      John Drake: Ask him he knows, don't you Rawson?

      Dian: Do you know this man, Denis?

      John Drake: I'm more of a ghost to him than a man. He's praying that I disappear. He's praying that this is a nightmare, and that he'll wake up. Come on Rawson, and put yourself together - tell her about me.

      Dian: Well, who are you? Has he done something wrong? Are you a policeman? Do you have a warrant to be in my room like this?

      John Drake: Yes - he has done something wrong, no, I am not a policeman, I do not have a warrant- I could never be a policeman I couldn't stand the regulations, I'm like you, I work outside the law.

    • Connections
      References Becket (1964)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 14, 1965 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Incorporated Television Company (ITC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 52m
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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