Following the 'The Saint' television series in 1969, Roger Moore attempted to launch himself as a movie star. With Cary Grant having recently retired, there was a gap in the market for a new debonair English leading man. His first films were 'Crossplot' and 'The Man Who Haunted Himself', but neither proved successful ( though the latter later became a minor cult picture ). When Sir Lew Grade told the actor he had pre-sold a new series to the States starring both him and Tony Curtis, he was less than pleased. But money talks, and so Roger signed on the dotted line.
Created by 'Saint' producer Robert S.Baker, 'The Persuaders!' starred Curtis as 'Danny Wilde', a brash Brooklyn millionaire who became rich through hard work - and Moore as 'Lord Brett Sinclair' who got his money through inheritance. The starting point was 'The Ex-King Of Diamonds', a 'Saint' story in which Templar teamed up with a Texan oil millionaire, played by Stuart Damon. In the first episode - 'Overture' by Brian Clemens - Brett and Danny meet at the French Riviera and chase another in sports cars to the strains of a lively pop song composed by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent. Following a brawl in a bar, they are arrested. But fate has other plans for them; retired judge 'Fulton' ( Lawrence Naismith ) sees potential in the men and puts them to work as crime-fighters.
It was a costly show to make; what with all the overseas location filming, clothes, champagne ( it was real ) and guest stars. The cars became stars in their own right; Danny drove a red Ferrari Dino, while Brett had a gold Aston Martin. It was basically 'The Saint' revisited combined with Hope and Crosby-style comedy. Each week, Danny and Brett were to be found either living it up on the Continent or enjoying post-swinging London. The chemistry between the leads was heady indeed. Much ad libbing went on; in one episode, when Brett appeared in his House of Lords ermine, Danny grabbed his arm, and quipped: "We want to get married!".
Memorable episodes include 'A Place In The Country' in which Danny buys a rundown country cottage, only to get caught in a local counterfeiting operation; 'A Death In The Family' sent up 'Kind Hearts & Coronets' as one by one, Brett's family ( all played by Moore ) are wiped out by a mysterious killer; 'Chain Of Events' has Danny handcuffed to a briefcase which turns out to contain a bomb. Among the writers were Terry Nation, Michael Pertwee, Val Guest, Terence Feely, and Milton S.Gelman. The latter penned the only really serious episode of the series - 'Angie...Angie' - in which an childhood friend of Danny's ( Larry Storch ) was revealed to to be a hit man.
Beautiful girls popped up in the course of their adventures, including Joan Collins, Susan George, Juliet Harmer, Rosemary Nicols, Imogen Hassall, Madeline Smith, Cyd Hayman, and Viviane Ventura.
One of the all-time great mysteries is how 'Mission: Impossible' ( a great show, yes, but well past its prime in 1971 ) managed to wipe the floor with 'The Persuaders!' in the U.S. ratings. In all other countries it was a big hit. The children's comic 'Countdown' ( later retitled 'T.V. Action' ) ran a weekly strip based on the show, and the powerful John Barry signature tune made the pop charts.
As well as the girls, there were also wonderful guest-stars such as Ian Hendry, Nigel Green, Gladys Cooper, Tom Adams, and a rare television appearance from Terry-Thomas.
As Britain suffered strikes, we could escape from our gloom ( when there was power ) by watching Tony and Roger each week visiting exotic locations. So massively popular was it that as soon as it ended repeats started in peak-time, prefaced initially by the 'Man From U.N.C.L.E.' movies. Had it been renewed, its unlikely Moore would have stayed as he was offered the chance to step into Sean Connery's shoes as the new 'James Bond'. Grade considered replacing him with Noel Harrison ( son of Rex ), but Baker talked him into abandoning the show. I think the decision was correct.
'The Persuaders!', forty years on, remains an enjoyable romp, probably the last really great I.T.C. action series. In an era where modern British television is mostly poverty row stuff, we should be grateful it was ever made.
Created by 'Saint' producer Robert S.Baker, 'The Persuaders!' starred Curtis as 'Danny Wilde', a brash Brooklyn millionaire who became rich through hard work - and Moore as 'Lord Brett Sinclair' who got his money through inheritance. The starting point was 'The Ex-King Of Diamonds', a 'Saint' story in which Templar teamed up with a Texan oil millionaire, played by Stuart Damon. In the first episode - 'Overture' by Brian Clemens - Brett and Danny meet at the French Riviera and chase another in sports cars to the strains of a lively pop song composed by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent. Following a brawl in a bar, they are arrested. But fate has other plans for them; retired judge 'Fulton' ( Lawrence Naismith ) sees potential in the men and puts them to work as crime-fighters.
It was a costly show to make; what with all the overseas location filming, clothes, champagne ( it was real ) and guest stars. The cars became stars in their own right; Danny drove a red Ferrari Dino, while Brett had a gold Aston Martin. It was basically 'The Saint' revisited combined with Hope and Crosby-style comedy. Each week, Danny and Brett were to be found either living it up on the Continent or enjoying post-swinging London. The chemistry between the leads was heady indeed. Much ad libbing went on; in one episode, when Brett appeared in his House of Lords ermine, Danny grabbed his arm, and quipped: "We want to get married!".
Memorable episodes include 'A Place In The Country' in which Danny buys a rundown country cottage, only to get caught in a local counterfeiting operation; 'A Death In The Family' sent up 'Kind Hearts & Coronets' as one by one, Brett's family ( all played by Moore ) are wiped out by a mysterious killer; 'Chain Of Events' has Danny handcuffed to a briefcase which turns out to contain a bomb. Among the writers were Terry Nation, Michael Pertwee, Val Guest, Terence Feely, and Milton S.Gelman. The latter penned the only really serious episode of the series - 'Angie...Angie' - in which an childhood friend of Danny's ( Larry Storch ) was revealed to to be a hit man.
Beautiful girls popped up in the course of their adventures, including Joan Collins, Susan George, Juliet Harmer, Rosemary Nicols, Imogen Hassall, Madeline Smith, Cyd Hayman, and Viviane Ventura.
One of the all-time great mysteries is how 'Mission: Impossible' ( a great show, yes, but well past its prime in 1971 ) managed to wipe the floor with 'The Persuaders!' in the U.S. ratings. In all other countries it was a big hit. The children's comic 'Countdown' ( later retitled 'T.V. Action' ) ran a weekly strip based on the show, and the powerful John Barry signature tune made the pop charts.
As well as the girls, there were also wonderful guest-stars such as Ian Hendry, Nigel Green, Gladys Cooper, Tom Adams, and a rare television appearance from Terry-Thomas.
As Britain suffered strikes, we could escape from our gloom ( when there was power ) by watching Tony and Roger each week visiting exotic locations. So massively popular was it that as soon as it ended repeats started in peak-time, prefaced initially by the 'Man From U.N.C.L.E.' movies. Had it been renewed, its unlikely Moore would have stayed as he was offered the chance to step into Sean Connery's shoes as the new 'James Bond'. Grade considered replacing him with Noel Harrison ( son of Rex ), but Baker talked him into abandoning the show. I think the decision was correct.
'The Persuaders!', forty years on, remains an enjoyable romp, probably the last really great I.T.C. action series. In an era where modern British television is mostly poverty row stuff, we should be grateful it was ever made.