I have to agree with the other punters here. Richard Bradford had the part of McGill to perfection. Sallow, understated, and with a cynical edge; he was a man made weary by human fallibility and weakness, yet doomed to make a living from it nonetheless. His hair seemed prematurely grey for his age, and its curiously coiffured mop looked suspiciously like a toupee. Though I'm sure it was genuine.
Often he mediated between victims and victimisers, using his cunning and thinly-veiled contempt to get the best deal he could, when as often as not he got a beating instead - and a very realistic one at that.
He lived in a suitcase, was available for hire anywhere anytime. He charged a standard rate no matter what; I believe it was $200 dollars a day plus expenses, which many baulked at but they could take it or leave it. Inevitably he made girlfriends and abandoned them just as readily.
Each episode was gritty, terse, and usually had an unexpected turn. And as they were mostly set in London, rather at variance to his nationality, they were an excellent window on swinging '60's style and attitude.
Streets ahead in credibility than any equivalent like 'The Saint', I'm absolutely amazed that Bradford didn't command a greater screen presence. Rather like Ed Bishop; he had all the right ingredients of good looks, acting skill, and charisma in spades, yet we hardly ever saw him. The new James Bond seems to have just caught up.
There was a very catchy jazz theme music as well, like that of The Avengers' or 'The Prisoner'.
I hope the DVD's are as good as I remember the programmes to be. Highly recommended if so.
Often he mediated between victims and victimisers, using his cunning and thinly-veiled contempt to get the best deal he could, when as often as not he got a beating instead - and a very realistic one at that.
He lived in a suitcase, was available for hire anywhere anytime. He charged a standard rate no matter what; I believe it was $200 dollars a day plus expenses, which many baulked at but they could take it or leave it. Inevitably he made girlfriends and abandoned them just as readily.
Each episode was gritty, terse, and usually had an unexpected turn. And as they were mostly set in London, rather at variance to his nationality, they were an excellent window on swinging '60's style and attitude.
Streets ahead in credibility than any equivalent like 'The Saint', I'm absolutely amazed that Bradford didn't command a greater screen presence. Rather like Ed Bishop; he had all the right ingredients of good looks, acting skill, and charisma in spades, yet we hardly ever saw him. The new James Bond seems to have just caught up.
There was a very catchy jazz theme music as well, like that of The Avengers' or 'The Prisoner'.
I hope the DVD's are as good as I remember the programmes to be. Highly recommended if so.