"The Man from U.N.C.L.E." (1964) TV series 1964-1968

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

22 September 1964 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy

Plot:

The two top agents of the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement fight the enemies of peace, particularly the forces of THRUSH.

Plot Keywords:

Walkie Talkie | Infrared Vision | Clothing Press | Rifle | Secret Entrance

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 13 nominations

Cast

Robert Vaughn	...	Napoleon Solo / ... (104 episodes, 1964-1968)
David McCallum	...	Illya Kuryakin / ... (100 episodes, 1964-1968)
Leo G. Carroll	...	Alexander Waverly / ... (96 episodes, 1964-1968)

Also Known As:

Ian Fleming's Solo (USA) (working title)
Mr. Solo (USA) (working title)
Solo (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

51 min (105 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White | Colour (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Arena Productions

Trivia:

The meaning of the acronym THRUSH was never spelled out in the series, though a meaning was created for one of the UNCLE novels published at the time ("Technological Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesirables and the Subjugation of Humanity").

Quotes:

Illya Kuryakin: The next harvest is scheduled for the 20th. Today is the 17th. That gives you three days.
Napoleon Solo: Exactly three days; that's a relief. I thought it was going to be a rush job.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Glass Bottom Boat (1966)

The first and the best (at times) secret agent show.

This show which debuted on NBC in September 1964 was the first movie or show to cash in on what was becoming the "James Bond Phenomenon". With only two Bond films released and the blockbuster "Goldfinger" to be released in the US at Christmas time "The Man from UNCLE" was the first introduction to secret agents for many people. Each week Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin saved the world or part of it from the evils of Thrush, an organization bent on world domination.It started as a cult show but quickly became a hit and at times the #1 show in the ratings to losing it's focus by the third season when it decided to copy the campy tone of the "Batman" TV show which turned off viewers who had liked the more serious tone of the first two seasons. As someone growing up in the sixties the Christmas of 1965 was flooded with secret agent toys with "The Man From UNCLE" even rivaling James Bond as far as toys and other product tie-ins. For a lot of people including myself this is their all time favorite TV show.