"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:

Ian Fleming was reportedly one of the consultants when this series was being planned. The name Solo was borrowed, apparently with his blessing, from the novel Goldfinger.

Quotes:

Napoleon Solo: People who straddle both sides of the street end up sitting in the middle.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Team Knight Rider: Apocalypse Maybe (#1.20)" (1998)

Fun and enthralling spy series features a charismatic duo

Like other baby boomers, I grew up with this weekly spy series. It was very popular with all my classmates, and the talk the next morning at school after its TV showing would invariably be the latest exploits of the daring young Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin. The boys all wanted to be just like them, and the girls were all besotted with them. We were all hooked on their ridiculous intelligence seeking or defensive gadgetry devices. After the spin off series The Girl From U.N.C.L.E. premiered, then all the girls wanted to be just like HER.

The show chronicles the assorted adventures and derring do of two agents of the agency U.N.C.L.E. (the United Network Command for Law Enforcement)... the American Napoleon Solo and the Russian Illya Kuryakin. (For a change, the Cold War enemies were comrades here.) Together the pair use their charm, wits, and of course assorted spy gadgetry to defeat the forces of evil, notably the terrorists and other threatening international villains of the wicked agency T.H.R.U.S.H. The duo take their orders from the older Mr. Alexander Waverly.

The two lead actors had the looks and the charisma to carry off the show, with great chemistry between them. Robert Vaughan plays the suave, dashing dark haired Solo, and David McCallum his cool, blond, British accented sidekick, Kuryakin. The role of Mr. Waverly is portrayed by the gentlemanly Leo G. Carroll.

It's been quite a few decades, have not seen it in re runs, so have forgotten many of the details. However, it was an adventurous, suspenseful, and primarily fun show, shades of James Bond's 007. Lots of fights, close calls, torturing villains, assorted intrigue, and of course beautiful women! Around this era there was also a cute comedy spy series, Get Smart. To this very day, whenever The Man From U.N.C.L.E. comes to mind or I chance upon either of its two stars on TV, I'm filled with a great sense of nostalgia. Sigh.