I've now watched all 51 Emma Peel Avengers episodes

Beautifully described! They really were a terrific couple onscreen--and I've always wished Diana Rigg had been in more movies/TV so we'd have even more examples of that kind of superb acting. One that comes to mind is her performance as Regan in the Laurence Olivier King Lear, made for TV in (I think) 1984. Real goosebump stuff.

She's still quite beautiful, IMHO.

 

I like the show for that reason too. I also have a weakness for the episodes that show Steed or Mrs. Peel having some kind of human weakness ("Too Many Christmas Trees", The House That Jack Built", etc.) because it makes a nice break from their usual unflappable ability to figure out a solution to any scrape.

I guess I prefer the black-and-white episodes because they're more subtle in that British way that we, ahem, discerning viewers enjoy. The color episodes are comparatively silly (though still highly enjoyable) and obviously geared to the American viewership. I do love "The Winged Avenger" though, especially for its subtle, affectionate digs at the "Batman" series.

Their relationship was quite unique for that time. It fascinates me. So British; understated, yet one glance spoke volumes for how they felt about each other.

Me too. I've never seen such a show for implying all sorts of things going on between two people. The hints are so subtle you'd sometimes wonder if it isn't just your overactive imagination.

 

Exactly like Steed- in fact, Mr. Peel was played by Patrick Macnee.

AJH

 

I haven't seen it for a couple of years myself, but IIRC Mr. Peel is only shown from behind from a distance. They did suggest a similarity to Steed in the form of a visual gag (was it a bowler hat?).

 

I have that "King Lear" on DVD too. You're right about the goosebumps: the entire cast was absolutely superb. It's been called the best cast ever assembled for a Shakespeare play in history, and I can believe it.

And speaking of Rigg, I had the great privilege of seeing her as Medea on Broadway in 1994. Rigg is probably the only actress in the world who can actually make you respect and pity the monstrous title character. Talk about goosebumps: I don't think my skin has settled down since then!

 

Great link! Thanks for the initiation into more Dame Diana.

 

Regarding 'The Prisoner':

The 2 episodes that had this horrible flanging audio on DVD were "The General" and "The Chimes of Big Ben". You can call A&E to arrange replacement if you have an earlier defective set.

It was just awful. Before the replacement program a couple of people at HTF told me it was no big deal and I should just 'relax' about it. In real life I would have been temped to punch them, or at least give them a noogie or a wedgie or something.

I am completely unaware of any flanging on The Avengers. But I haven't watched every disc yet (I have the Mega Set with every disc).

 

I think I know what a "wedgie" is, but a "noogie" - you lost me.

Regards,
Geoff

 

If I remember my childhood correctly, a "Noogie" is a rather vigorous head massage, usually with the knuckles of one's hand. Ah the good old days.

Jeff

 

Oh yeah That was hilarious. Wish they'd put the original cast SNL stuff out on DVD. They've got some of the more recent stuff out, but I would dearly love to see all the old stuff out. Samauri TV Repairman anyone?

Jeff

 

In defense of Robert Orban and his gear, while he may have made a device that created lousy (or perhaps was abused to create lousy) fake surround, Orban gear generally sounds great for its intended use. A huge percentage of radio stations use Orban gear for their stereo generators (all stereo stations need a stereo generator, this is not a *fake* stereo generator) and audio processing, and if you think they sound bad, take it from me, without Mr. Orban they'd still be trying to do the same amount of compression, but it'd sound a lot worse.

 

Whew! I just finished going through Emma Peel again, and it was just as good as the first time, if not better. Steed wasn't too bad either!

I noticed it on "The £50,000 Breakfast." I wrote A&E about it and the rep who responded said he was unaware of any sound issues on the Avengers DVDs, so I guess there's no fix for it.

 

Well, I'm working my way through the Secret Agent (aka Danger Man) series. I find the plots very well written and intricate for the most part. Both my wife and I enjoy them very much, of course we are both big Prisoner fans so it seems natural. The quality of the DVDs is also top notch as are the Prisoner sets. How do the scripts for the Avengers compare to something like Secret Agent? Do they have the same kind of intelligent/intricate plots? I'm in my 40s so I only barely remember any of these shows.

 

The Avengers (Peel era) was almost always very tongue-in-cheek.

'Secret Agent' episodes were well-scripted, thoughtful spy tales that did not rely on the 'guns and babes' cliches of most spy shows and movies of the era (and even today).

 

Was "House" the one with that freaky house with the rooms that kept changing, and no exit?? Maaaan, was that one freaky. Even had ME spooked!

 

Bumped this because I saw the The Complete Emma Peel Mega Set at Costco yesterday for the first time. It as well as The Prisoner and Monty Python sets were $89.99 each.

Also the S&G Columbia Studio Recordings 5CD set was back and still $29.99.