106 replies to this topic

[Bondian]

I love that song!

Hey, so do I.

If I maybe permitted to go off topic for a mo.

I was obsessed by this tune when 'The Persuaders' had a re-run over here in the early 90's.

As we all do, I recorded every episode, but had to keep playing that chase sequence over-and-over again. I just love the way they seize each other up.

Anyway, to cut a long story short. At the time we we're working for a theatrical agency's called 'Roughs & Toughs', and our agent wanted to do a follow-up to 'The Long Good Friday'. We had Steven Wooley and Neil Jordan in the office, and they were very interested in this movie. In fact a pal of mine made a rough treatment for it, and they approved it.

Now, what composer can we get involved. Old Ian suggests Tony Hatch. So I contacted him through 'Mr & Mrs Music', I mentioned how I love 'Gotta Get Away' and low-and-behold, we got him in the office ( I have photographs to prove it ) and produced the sheet music ( just the melody line and chords ) for me. He also promised to send me the original studio recording as well ( which he did a few days later when he returned home to Australia ).

Unfortunately, Brendon ( our agent ) died, so the film was never made. Carol and I opened up our own agency called 'Pegasus Acting Agency', but we died a death after a couple of years. Surviving on 8-10% of actors commissions wasn't enough to keep us afloat ( especially in Denmark Street, London ).

Anyway. Since then I have created several version of this cool song via my organ ( no nasty comments please ), and more latterly, through my computer.

I'll upload it to JB&B tomorrow, and provide a link so you can have a listen.

Chris. What was your question again?. LOL

Well to go back onto topic. I say leave this series be, but improve the existing DVDs by adding the French interview, and a few other radio addy's etc. The region 2 DVDs are lacking a lot of stuff.

Cheers,


Jackie Trent. LOL

[Bondian]

Sorry for the double post, but here it is.

OK. It's a little fast, but I added in the tyre screeches etc.

[Blofelds Cat]

Ben Stiller and Steve Coogan will star in a feature remake of 1971 British TV series The Persuaders, with DreamWorks Pictures, Hyde Park and Granada America partnered on the film, reports Variety.

Stiller will play the role originated by Tony Curtis, and British comic actor Coogan will take on Roger Moore's part.

The series, which aired in the U.S. on ABC and in the U.K. for a season, revolved around the adventures of two rich playboys. Curtis was the street-smart millionaire from the Bronx, Moore the upper cruster.

From comingsoon.net - June 7, 2005

Any opinion? 

A film version of, "The Persuaders!" has been talked about for many years and is yet to materialise; and after seeing what was done to The Saint, The Avengers and Thunderbirds on the big screen, I hope it never does.

Unlike, "The Saint" or "The Avengers", "The Persuaders!" simply doesn't have enough of a profile in the US to guarantee quality investment by prospective producers.

The only positive aspect to all this talk is increased awareness of the original TV series and a spike in the average number of daily hits to my website.

Curtis + Moore (or, 'Moore + Curtis' as the heathen nowadays refers to the pairing) were largely what made the series great. The writing was mostly average and the episodes were carried by the interchange of the two original stars - something that Producers, by their very nature, are unable to grasp.

Ben Stiller and that Coogan bloke can certainly be cast as Danny and Brett but they can never be Danny and Brett.

And can you imagine the cameo's that Curtis + Moore will have? His Rogesty will no doubt play Judge Fulton and Curtis will play his wife, Sophie Schwartz. Do me a favour...

[marktmurphy]

I think Fatima's suggestion of Will Smith is pretty decent, but I know who I'd like:

[David Schofield]

I think Fatima's suggestion of Will Smith is pretty decent, but I know who I'd like:

Mark, that's an even better idea than mine of Cruise and Grant!

[Bondian]

I would say you've made a perfect choice my friend.

I think Fatima's suggestion of Will Smith is pretty decent, but I know who I'd like:

[Lady Templar]

Clooney + Grant would suit me better than Coogan + Stiller for sure. Even if I'm totally against a remake of "The Persuaders"...

[mccartney007]

Clooney + Grant would suit me better than Coogan + Stiller for sure. Even if I'm totally against a remake of "The Persuaders"...

I'm with you on this one, LT.

[Righty007]

The Persuaders! (2007) is now on IMDb.com.

[Qwerty]

Grant yes, but Clooney would be a great choice also? (Although I'm by no means an avid viewer of this series on DVD yet.)

[Righty007]

Grant yes, but Clooney would be a great choice also? (Although I'm by no means an avid viewer of this series on DVD yet.)

It's one of the greatest television shows I've ever seen!

[Bondian]

You're damned right there Chris.

Why can't they just leave this alone.

It's one of the greatest television shows I've ever seen!

[Righty007]

You're damned right there Chris. 

Why can't they just leave this alone. 

It's one of the greatest television shows I've ever seen!

I'm excited for the movie.

[Bondian]

I'm excited for the movie.

Clooney and Grant yes, but they need to got rid of Coogan.

[Atticus17F]

I cannot stand Steve Coughan, and I suspect this will be an instant failure.

I will be avoiding this like the plague.

And from the Doctor Who thread -

Eccelston's just being interviewed on the Jonathan Ross show, and boy, what a boring Doctor Who he's going to be.

I'll avoid this rubbish like the plague.

I'm just off to visit my bookmaker.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Stiller is listed as one of the producers.

Why am I nervous that they are going to it up?

[Atticus17F]

Stiller is listed as one of the producers.

Why am I nervous that they are going to it up? 

I wouldn't be nervous, BC. Coogan's a huge fan of programmes like The Saint and The Persuaders so I'm fairly certain that he'll treat this film with respect.

Personally, I'm not fussed whether the film is faithful or not. I thought the original series a bit silly, but I'll watch the film because Steve Coogan's in it - and I happen to think he's a genius.

[Bondian]

Casting Coogan in this new film is really scraping the barrel. There are so many other better actors who could of been used.

I agree with markmurphy's Grant and Clooney combination.

And from the Doctor Who thread -

Eccelston's just being interviewed on the Jonathan Ross show, and boy, what a boring Doctor Who he's going to be.

I'll avoid this rubbish like the plague.

I'm just off to visit my bookmaker.

[Atticus17F]

Casting Coogan in this new film is really scraping the barrel. There are so many other better actors who could of been used.

Hugh Grant's always the obvious choice to play an English toff in a lighthearted romp, but let's not take anything away from Coogan - he is easily one of the finest actors this country has produced in recent years and his writing isn't to be sniffed at either.

I think the big difference between this Persuaders film and the other Starsky & Hutch/Avengers type-stuff, is that Coogan and Stiller actually have a clue about the show they're trying to reimagine. From Loaded magazine, Oct. 1998;

"I really, really loved The Persuaders. And although the script was terrible it always had great potential because the relationship between Tony Curtis and Roger Moore was so believable."

Probably not the most profound quote in the world, but it's the only one I can find right now. The point is, Coogan's a bloody good actor with a lot of creativity and he cares about The Persuaders. What more qualifications do you need?

[Bondian]

The point is, Coogan's a bloody good actor with a lot of creativity and he cares about The Persuaders. What more qualifications do you need?

LOL. Well, he's reasonable at imitating people, but that doesn't automatically make him a good actor.

It's not just the acting that's worrying me, it's his looks. Even though he's played upper class people in his shows, he just hasn't got the debonair, suaveness or charisma that Moore has/had.

At the end-of-the-day, it's only my opinion, so please do not take it as offensive.

Cheers,


Ian

[Atticus17F]

The point is, Coogan's a bloody good actor with a lot of creativity and he cares about The Persuaders. What more qualifications do you need?

LOL. Well, he's reasonable at imitating people, but that doesn't automatically make him a good actor.

Well, there is an argument that a convincing performance relies on successful imitation, but I'd say it's probably his drama training, immense talent and wealth of experience that's made him a good actor.

It's not just the acting that's worrying me, it's his looks. Even though he's played upper class people in his shows, he just hasn't got the debonair, suaveness or charisma that Moore has/had.

You mean you haven't seen him in a role that requires those qualities yet.

At the end-of-the-day, it's only my opinion, so please do not take it as offensive.

Of course I won't. I'm not his mum.

[Bondian]

Ha-ha. Watch it Mate, you may get stamped upon by agreeing with me.

I don't know if it would an improvement if the film would be British.

In my mind, you just cannot improve on the success or even failure of a television series that was made 34 years ago. And even if Tony and Roger would be cast, it just wouldn't work.

What made the programme so enjoyable for me is the slapstick comedy ( Overture )combined with tragedy ( Angie...Angie ), and this is only in the two episodes. Also the fashion, the stories, the locations, the rather wooden acting, and the entertainment value.

Roger Moore was well known pretty much over the globe after his success with 'The Saint', 'Ivanhoe' etc, and Tony Curtis made some great films. Both of these good actors were allowed to improvise. This alone helped their repartee, even though they didn't really get on on the set.

Can anyone tell me what British television series that's been made to film has been very successful, and more importantly, as good, or better than the original?.

Cheers,


Ian

[quote name='Dr Blockbuster' date='29 June 2005 - 23:24']Need I say more >>> Bondian ... you can be my spokesman any day! How much ???

I don't know what Florence and Dougal would make of your comments though.

Boing........... "Ah well ..." said Zebedee ... "time for bed ..."

[Dunph]

Can anyone tell me what British television series that's been made to film has been very successful, and more importantly, as good, or better than the original?.

The Avengers.

[Bondian]

The Avengers.

You're joking, right?.

[licensetostudy]

Ben Stiller and Steve Coogan will star in a feature remake of 1971 British TV series The Persuaders, with DreamWorks Pictures, Hyde Park and Granada America partnered on the film, reports Variety.

Stiller will play the role originated by Tony Curtis, and British comic actor Coogan will take on Roger Moore's part.

The series, which aired in the U.S. on ABC and in the U.K. for a season, revolved around the adventures of two rich playboys. Curtis was the street-smart millionaire from the Bronx, Moore the upper cruster.

From comingsoon.net - June 7, 2005

Any opinion? 

Four magic words-

I hate Ben Stiller


Atleast the Persuaders is back on BBCAmerica.

[DLibrasnow]

I have never seen this show....is this the one with Tony Curtis and those terrible 70s fashions?

[TheSaint]

Dlibra, as a Roger fan, you should give the show a chance. And Roger's leather trenchcoat is pretty cool.

[Bondian]

You're in for a real treat if you've never seen this series, Darren.

I have never seen this show....is this the one with Tony Curtis and those terrible 70s fashions?

[dinovelvet]

I'm in favor of the remake, as long as they get Roger Moore and Tony Curtis to appear somewhere. As the parents of the Stiller & Coogan characters perhaps (or as the villains!). Hell I don't mind if they don't bring in Curtis, but The Rog must be there in some shape or form. Given Coogan's respect for the series and Stiller's past form (he got the original Starsky & Hutch to appear in his remake), I think it'll happen.

[The_Hunted]

Would they also update the cars, both the Aston Martin DBS and the Ferrari Dino to their modern counterparts.