John Drake is sent to and island suspiciously similar to Cuba in order rescue a spy accused of murdering a very attractive young model/star. He manages to wend his way through local intrigue and dodge the very attractive military press handler Juana Romero - his cover is that of journalist - who dogs his every step. Finally, linking up with the "on the run" spy, Peter Miller (played by James Maxwell who turned in a performance in Danger Man's "Fair Exchange aired a few weeks earlier) Drake and Miller have to make their "date with Doris" courtesy of the Royal Navy. Solid writing for this one, and the chemistry between Jane Merrow as the eager young military press handler is well acted. Merrow was a staple of ITV programs like "The Saint" "Danger Man" and McGoohan's "The Prisoner" for years, but here penultimate performance of the 1960s came with "The Lion in Winter" playing Alais, King Henry's consort. Ronald Radd plays the typical 1960s Latin American dictator in green fatigues, but with a twist ... he has no beard. Of the multiple Fidel Castro rip off parts from this era, Rudd's certainly stands out because even with the little screen time he has Rudd manages to give the part depth. Alas, this tale has me up until the final escape. I'll leave it to the viewer but the literal Wild West-esque "showdown" in the villa was a bit much for me. Still, there are few Danger Man/Secret Agent episodes (well the black and white ones that is) that are not top notch in the writing department, and even the gadgets make sense and are believable for that time.
Review of A Date with Doris
