In his book 'For My Eyes Only', director John Glen says that this 'Danger Man' episode sat on the shelf for a while, going unscreened because it failed to make any sense, until he shot new material, turning it into a kind of personal nightmare for the 'John Drake' character. It begins with our hero on his way to a new assignment. Swerving to avoid a couple of boys who have stepped into the road to retrieve a football, he crashes. What follows next is a very unusual episode in the series, as the unconscious Drake dreams he is under investigation by treasurer 'Mr.Lovegrove' ( Eric Barker ) for using Department funds for gambling purposes. Drake visits the Almack Club, a London casino, and finds himself treated as a regular even though he has never visited the place before. The club's owner, 'Paul Alexander' ( Francis De Wolff ), says he has Drake's name on a cheque for £500. Drake claims the handwriting is not his. As the mystery deepens, the agent is tormented by mocking laughter and the face of Lovegrove appearing everywhere.
Viewing this now, one is reminded not only of 'The Prisoner', but the opening episode of the B.B.C.'s 'Life On Mars'. After seeing the latter for the first time in 2006, I predicted an ending in which Tyler ( John Simm ) would wake up in hospital, to be greeted by the sight of Annie ( Liz White ) dressed as a nurse. Quite a few 'Carry On' stars in this - Eric Barker, Patsy Rowlands, and Peter Butterworth, the latter playing an 'Avengers'-style killer known only as 'Umbrella'. His partner, 'Briefcase' is played by Mike Pratt, future star of 'Randall & Hopkirk ( Deceased )'. Adrienne Corri smolders her way through the part of hostess 'Elaine', while 007 fans will recognise Desmond 'Q' Llewelyn as 'Charles', the doorman.
When first shown in 1965, it attracted complaints from baffled viewers despite the obvious framing device to show it was all a dream.
Viewing this now, one is reminded not only of 'The Prisoner', but the opening episode of the B.B.C.'s 'Life On Mars'. After seeing the latter for the first time in 2006, I predicted an ending in which Tyler ( John Simm ) would wake up in hospital, to be greeted by the sight of Annie ( Liz White ) dressed as a nurse. Quite a few 'Carry On' stars in this - Eric Barker, Patsy Rowlands, and Peter Butterworth, the latter playing an 'Avengers'-style killer known only as 'Umbrella'. His partner, 'Briefcase' is played by Mike Pratt, future star of 'Randall & Hopkirk ( Deceased )'. Adrienne Corri smolders her way through the part of hostess 'Elaine', while 007 fans will recognise Desmond 'Q' Llewelyn as 'Charles', the doorman.
When first shown in 1965, it attracted complaints from baffled viewers despite the obvious framing device to show it was all a dream.