Reviews

I adore this 1963, bijou film so much. The opening song 'Come Fly With Me', sung by Frankie Avalon, takes us on the start of the energetic, whirlwind, globe-trotting highs-and-lows of three all-American gals looking for love.

Yes, the film is now dated, and one could say a little 'sugary', but it has some good comic moments and is actually quite a lot of fun. The film score isn't too bad either, and Lois Nettleton shines in her role as 'Bergie', with fun performances from Karl Malden, Carl Boehm and Dolores Hart, as snobby Donna Stewart.

I hope it comes out on DVD someday...if you see it on TV have a look - you just might enjoy it!

The Ghastly-No-Girls!!!! Having seen the 1st series on TV, I must agree with the vast majority of criticism of this series...Here are two women (albeit good-looking), who only manage to make themselves look consistently worse by simply just being 'themselves'... They have no talent, no concept of professionalism in any capacity, and chillingly... no personality AT ALL!!! There is nothing about them that can sustain any interest at all and I actually agree that the only emotion a viewer can feel is one of profound embarrassment and well-intentioned pity...they look superficial, talentless, easily bored and distracted by the world around them, whilst being sickeningly intolerant of the normal people who try ironically to help them put this excuse of a reality TV show together.

The Bionic Woman is not just sheer, wonderful fantasy but it also brought us amazing femininity and full-on, '70's glamour...Lindsay Wagner advanced the usually dormant societal awareness of how a beautiful looking woman could also be strong, compassionate, fair and run at 60 mph in high heels! The series is important in that it raises the profile of actually seeing women as something more than just pretty, stay-at-home objects of male desire... In many ways much of its residual effect is only realised after time has passed...

On another level, the series is easy on the eye, full of action and has great music...it is escapism which is translatable to new generations of sci-fi fans...and Ms Wagner... you are so beautiful!!!

The final series of The Avengers (1968-69), had not only the highest ever ratings in the UK but also in Europe (especially France). The whole image and upbeat, catchy signature tune (the Thorson theme)are very different. The introduction sees a far more feminine Tara (pearls and chiffon) and a gentler Steed (picking a rose). Romance, youth and visceral eroticism are promised as Tara runs along the bridge to be greeted by an immaculate man in a bowler hat, Steed...the adventures begin...

Linda Thorson stepped into fill some very big shoes and people forget she was only a mere 20-year-old, and a Canadian! Tara King is a huge departure from both Mrs Gale (not so well-known in the USA) and the iconic, inimitable Mrs Peel. Tara brings us youth, amazing beauty and guile in a less 'acid Chelsea humour, sloan-ranger' way. Her diction is nonetheless impeccable and she is more than a match for the dastardly masterminds with her karate skills.

Linda Thorson did an amazing job, when you consider the problems that were faced after Diana Rigg's departure: scripting, producing, directing etc. The character is not 'helpless' just warmer and softer. The chemistry Tara has with Steed is very visible... these episodes are vastly entertaining, highly exciting, amazingly comedic and are bursting with 1960's British quintessential 'character'.

Linda, thank you for making such a huge contribution to what is one of the best series ever made in the history of British TV!