The Time and the Place

Just thought I'd pop in on a random episode of one of my favourite TV shows as a boy. Even at 11 years old I remember knowing it was a big deal that two big stars like Curtis and Moore were palling up for a light-hearted adventure series.

The title sequence was brilliant too, almost mirroring the twin achievements of each actor like their characters Lord Brett Sinclair and Danny Wilde, set to a superb John Barry theme tune.

This episode saw the two caught up in of all things a potential right-wing military coup, led by Ian Hednry's power-hungry titled Lord in a part perhaps based on controversial contemplary politician Enoch Powell. There's a pretty girl in there somewhere, (there's always a pretty girl in there somewhere!) but in the main Brett and Denny go through what they usually do, get kidnapped, get into fights and snipe away at each other before inevitably saving the day.

Of course watching a programme like this over 50 years on is a bit like opening a tank capsule, as you click the fashions, behaviours and cars of the day. One interesting aspect of this episode is that it was directed by Roger Moore standing in for the scheduled director Basil Deardon with whom he' ironically worked only recently in an excellent British made thriller "The Man who Haunted Himself". Roger does a modern competent job behind the camera with one or two neat touches hinting at some talent in that field.

Curtis and Moore's rapport seems easy and genuine which was really the making of the show. Yes, it's dated in places, but it's easy to park any mildly offending anachronisms and just be entertained by two good old pro's enjoying themselves.

Roger Moore directs this episode and engages in a spot of politics. The kind that spurred him on when he became a UN Goodwill Ambassador.

Brett and Danny come across a female hitchhiker who disappears. Danny finds a dead body which too disappears after he fetches Brett.

All this happens on the estate of Lord Croxley (Ian Hendry) who happens to be an old friend of Brett.

To Danny's surprise the dead man is alive and well. He is a journalist but he soon dies in a car accident.

Brett knows Croxley is not political, but suddenly he opposes a crime bill for not going far enough to maintain law and order.

Is Croxley behind a political coup in Britain?

It is certainly an intriguing episode. He needed some sharper writing, a better introduction and less of an open ending.

This episode is directed by Roger Moore himself and curiously seems to be without woman, at least if you compare with the other episodes.... Isn't it intetesting? This is not a bad episode, it is on the contrary intriguing...And the fact that it focuses mainly on Sinclair and Danny Wilde without gals around them is also a good thing. It remains riveting, that changes. A deep Britain story, very charming. I did not remember this episode. And Ian Hendry as one of the villains is also exciting. I have always craved for this actor. And so far, there was not political plot in this series, espionage, but not political plot involving a coup.