"Danger Man" (1960) TV series 1960-1962

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

5 April 1961 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot:

John Drake was a special operative for NATO, specializing in security assignments against any subversive element that threatened world peace...

Plot Keywords:

Spy

Cast

Patrick McGoohan

...

John Drake (39 episodes, 1960-1961)

Also Known As:

"Dangerman" (UK) (alternative spelling)
"Lone Wolf" (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

25 min (39 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Trivia:

Based on his success as John Drake, Patrick McGoohan became one of the first actors considered for the role of James Bond in Dr. No (1962). Between this series and the later "Danger Man" (1964), all the "regular" actors in the Bond movies - Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell and Desmond Llewelyn- would guest star with McGoohan, as would many future Bond co-stars such as Honor Blackman and Zena Marshall to name just two.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kings and Desperate Men (1981)

first series is chock full of goodness,

patrick mcgoohans's dicey 'new englander' accent notwithstanding, he's in fine form here. fast paced and inventive plots, exotic locales, and the extremely moral hero john drake all make the first series of danger man great television.

though he doesn't bed down with every girl he comes across, there's more than enough sexual tension to go around, as every female within a thirty-foot radius ends up throwing herself at johnny d. not keen on guns, drake's a master fighter and the resulting fight scenes are always fun to watch. his gadgets are realistic, much more believable than the ones used by bond or the man from wherever.

the very first episode, 'a view from the villa', takes us to portmeirion, the place that inspired PMG to use as the village in 'the prisoner'. another one of the best television programs ever made.

you'll see a host of familiar faces in supporting roles here too. donald pleasance, barbara shelley--all kinds of great actors popped up on dm from time to time. by all means, if you're a fan of espionage shows, danger man should be high on your list of must-sees. it's got all the chewy goodness and none of the camp that marred so many spy programs in the sixties.