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

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

5 April 1961 (USA)

Genre:

Action | 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)

(more)

Series Directed by
Charles Frend		(9 episodes, 1960-1961)
Peter Graham Scott		(7 episodes, 1960-1961)
Michael Truman		(5 episodes, 1960-1961)
Terry Bishop		(4 episodes, 1960-1961)
Seth Holt		(4 episodes, 1960-1961)
Ralph Smart		(2 episodes, 1960)
Anthony Bushell		(2 episodes, 1961)
Clive Donner		(2 episodes, 1961)
C.M. Pennington-Richards		(2 episodes, 1961)

Series Writing credits
Ralph Smart		(27 episodes, 1960-1961)
Brian Clemens		(9 episodes, 1960-1961)
John Roddick		(9 episodes, 1960-1961)
Jo Eisinger		(6 episodes, 1960-1961)
Ian Stuart Black		(5 episodes, 1960-1961)
Marc Brandell		(3 episodes, 1961)
Robert Stewart		(2 episodes, 1960-1961)
Jack Whittingham		(2 episodes, 1960-1961)

Series Produced by
Ralph Smart	....	producer (39 episodes, 1960-1961)
Aida Young	....	associate producer (23 episodes, 1960-1961)
Ian Stuart Black	....	associate producer (11 episodes, 1960-1961)

Series Cinematography by
Brendan J. Stafford		(38 episodes, 1960-1961)

Series Film Editing by
Derek Chambers		(21 episodes, 1960-1961)
David Hawkins		(15 episodes, 1960-1961)
Peter Pitt		(3 episodes, 1960-1961)

Series Casting by
Harry Fine		(39 episodes, 1960-1961)

Series Art Direction by
Frank White		(39 episodes, 1960-1961)

Series Production Management
Douglas Twiddy	....	production manager (39 episodes, 1960-1961)
Aida Young	....	production supervisor (16 episodes, 1960-1961)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David Tomblin	....	assistant director (39 episodes, 1960-1961)
John Schlesinger	....	second unit director (4 episodes, 1960-1961)

Series Art Department
Michael White	....	draughtsman (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Frank Maher	....	fight and stunt double: Patrick McGoohan / stunt coordinator (39 episodes, 1960-1961)

Series Music Department
Edwin Astley	....	musical director (39 episodes, 1960-1961)

Series Other crew
Ralph Smart	....	devised by (26 episodes, 1960-1961)

Series Thanks
Clough Williams-Ellis	....	special acknowledgment: location (3 episodes, 1960-1961)

Production Companies

• Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Distributors

• Associated Television (ATV) (1960) (UK) (TV) (original airing)
• Asahi Broadcasting (1960) (Japan) (TV)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)
• Epix Media (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
• MPI Home Video (1996) (USA) (VHS)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2005) (Australia) (DVD)

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:

John Drake says the phrase "I'm obliged" in virtually every episode; the catch phrase did not return in the later 1964 series.

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.