Cathy Gale was a real breath of fresh air, shaking up the established storytelling techniques. As played by the dignified Honor Blackman, Cathy, an anthropologist, was able to match Steed for witty verbal interplay and enjoyed a passion for judo and leather clothes.
Yet, the second series had begun with the introduction of a new kind of heroine: Cathy Gale. Such was Patrick Macnee’s popularity, when Hendry unexpectedly quit the show, Steed became the main focus, joined on occasion by Julie Stevens (whom older readers may recall was later a Play Schoolpresenter) playing nightclub singer Venus Smith. The two men were later assisted by a nurse – Carol Wilson – played by Ingrid Hafner, who had also appeared in Police Surgeon. In the new show, Ian Hendry played Dr David Keel, avenging the murder of his fiancee Peggy (Catherine Woodville) in the first episode, “Hot Snow,” with the help of a slightly enigmatic character in a raincoat called John Steed. Having also created Police Surgeon , Newman wanted to give Hendry a better star vehicle. The creator of The Avengers was Sydney Newman (who would later initiate Doctor Who for the BBC – indeed, Who shared many of The Avengers’ writers: Terry Nation, John Lucarotti, Dennis Spooner, Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks – to name but five). Geoffrey Brent, was cancelled after a poor public reception, although viewers had expressed an appreciation for Hendry himself. Police Surgeon , which starred Ian Hendry as Dr. Creation and Early YearsĬontrary to popular folklore, The Avengers, which began on January 7 1961, has no real link to Police Surgeon, which was a short-lived series broadcast on ITV in the autumn of 1960. But let’s start at the beginning and put pay to one of the series’ biggest myths. From a geek point of view, the last four seasons are, arguably, the most interesting. We will be looking back at the original landmark ’60s drama. In the 1998 film, the role of Steed was given to Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman played Emma Peel. Originally billed second to the late Ian Hendry, Macnee was still playing Steed over 15 years later when he was teamed with the youthful duo of Joanna Lumley and Gareth Hunt for The New Avengersin 1976.
What began as a monochrome tape series in January 1961 ran the whole of the 1960s, becoming a colourful slice of period hokum, full of flair, wit and sophistication, yet with its tongue firmly in its cheek.Īlways the perfect gentleman, John Steed was played by Patrick Macnee.
If you're wondering when "The Avengers: Age of Ultron" will be there for you, the movie is set for release in Australia and the UK on April 23, followed by the US on May 1.Stylish crime fighting, despicable evil masterminds, a bowler-hatted old Etonian gentleman spy, and a series of beautiful leather cat-suited, kinky-booted, no-nonsense heroines. Check out the "The Avengers" clip at the top of this post, and the "Harry Potter" version below. The clips were stitched together in such a way to make it seem like the Avengers team is a great group of friends trying to get through a normal life together just like Ross, Rachel, Joey, Monica, Chandler and Phoebe from the 1990s-era sitcom.Īnd, as a bonus, Rivera released a "Friends" remix of the "Harry Potter" series last week in case your friends are more like wizards than superheroes. As the instantly recognizable theme song, "I'll be There for You" by The Rembrandts, begins to play, each member of the Avengers flashes across the screen, along with the name of the actor who plays each role. gives young fan 3D-printed Iron Man armĪnd, yeah, it's just about as awesome as you'd expect. Hulk's fist smashes through this Avengers cake you can assemble.New 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' trailer shows our heroes in action.