1078 replies to this topic

[Ian Dickerson]

I think that's one of the things that frustrated me about the Dutton series. You can see how it must have looked really good on paper--there are some scenes, like the purse snatching above or the chase scene in the Fun Park episode--that are spot on, but the overall productions just, well, failed.

Ian

[marktmurphy]

I also find Ogilvy's Cary Grant impression gets a little old.

Yes, that was a strange choice. Sort of worked but did get a bit tiring. I do like his Saint though, unconvincing tough guy though he was.

[jaguar007]

I think that's one of the things that frustrated me about the Dutton series. You can see how it must have looked really good on paper--there are some scenes, like the purse snatching above or the chase scene in the Fun Park episode--that are spot on, but the overall productions just, well, failed.

Ian

I agree. As I said earlier, Dutton was well cast but was let down by rushed production. I still enjoy watching them from time to time, that is mostly due to Dutton's portrayal (Roger Moore is the best Saint i my opinion).

[St Louis]

Fear in Fun Park always gets a lot of stick due to the script bloopers, but it isn’t bad viewing on some levels. By this series standards, it has quite a few positives

• It is well filmed: Sydney is a stunning location used to full effect; it has air of glamour and sophistication about it.

• The acting is good and the guest stars are attractive; adding to the glamour.

• The chase scene is worthy of a motion picture, and the most dramatic action sequence the Saint has ever appeared in before or since; nothing in the multi-million dollar Val Kilmer movie was as spectacular as this.

• Although this movie is remembered for it’s chase, actually, most of the episode is reminiscent of opulent soap operas of the time, such as Dynasty and Dallas, making good 1980's nostalgia.

• The plot concerning the smuggling of oriental girls into Australia, and using them as prostitutes, makes an interesting synopsis, which is still relevant to similar stories in the news today.

Sadly, the above was tarnished by a script that attempted to do too much and depended on a collection of incredible coincidences and oversights.

Edited by St Louis, 11 September 2009 - 03:19 PM.

[DR76]

So whilst he has to be able to play the light-hearted mischievous adventurer, he also has to be a credible killer.

Ian

which is why I rule out Hugh Grant.

I think you're underestimating him.

I agree. I've seen him portrayed a ruthless villain once. And he was good.

To be honest I'd rate him and Dougray Scott in a similiar category insomuch as both make lots of films and both have tried to crack US TV and up till now, failed.

Lewis' show managed to last two seasons and it ended through no fault of his. His co-star became pregnant and they replaced her for four episodes. Unfortunately, the viewers were unable to tolerate this and the ratings slipped. And instead of waiting for his regular co-star to have her baby and return to the show, NBC cancelled it.

[Tybre]

Fear in Fun Park always gets a lot of stick due to the script bloopers, but it isn’t bad viewing on some levels. By this series standards, it has quite a few positives

• It is well filmed: Sydney is a stunning location used to full effect; it has air of glamour and sophistication about it.

• The acting is good and the guest stars are attractive; adding to the glamour.

• The chase scene is worthy of a motion picture, and the most dramatic action sequence the Saint has ever appeared in before or since; nothing in the multi-million dollar Val Kilmer movie was as spectacular as this.

• Although this movie is remembered for it’s chase, actually, most of the episode is reminiscent of opulent soap operas of the time, such as Dynasty and Dallas, making good 1980's nostalgia.

• The plot concerning the smuggling of oriental girls into Australia, and using them as prostitutes, makes an interesting synopsis, which is still relevant to similar stories in the news today.

Sadly, the above was tarnished by a script that attempted to do too much and depended on a collection of incredible coincidences and oversights.

There is also the fact that it drags like all hell. At least in my case, it never captivated me quite enough and I found myself glancing at the clock every few seconds throughout most of it.

[St Louis]

There is also the fact that it drags like all hell. At least in my case, it never captivated me quite enough and I found myself glancing at the clock every few seconds throughout most of it

Yes, it is too slow paced; more like a soap than an adventure movie. I was just pointing out some good points...

[jaguar007]

While not one of the better stories of the Dutton films, Fear at Fun Park and The Brazilian Connection seemed to have slightly better production values than the other 4 movies. Blue Dulac by far being the worst.

[Mr. Somerset]

I haven't seen Dutton or Ogilvy as The Saint in 20 years. Can't find them anywhere on dvd.
I'll give Scott a chance. He may good, though Purefoy seemed more inspired.

[Tybre]

I haven't seen Dutton or Ogilvy as The Saint in 20 years. Can't find them anywhere on dvd.
I'll give Scott a chance. He may good, though Purefoy seemed more inspired.

Ogilvy is presently only on DVD in Region 2. Much as I hate to admit it, I torrented the Ogilvy episodes I've seen. Dutton, too, I failed to find Region 1 DVD and so I streamed it. I'm hoping this new Saint series will spark some new interest in The Saint and see the release of non-Roger Moore DVDs Stateside. Otherwise I'll spring for a Region 2 DVD player or a region-free player and import the DVDs.

[Ian Dickerson]

But I find the producers choice rather stupid instead of going with a relative unknown (read cheaper option) and serving him to an audience as something new and

TV shows in America do not succeed with "relative unknown"s as their leading man and if the Saint is to have a lengthy career then this show needs to succeed in America which means that the leading man has to be acceptable to an American audience which means, based on many years experience, a name they feel comfortable with and might have seen in something previously.

Ian

[marktmurphy]

Yeah, makes sense to me. I don't think it's a necessity, though: was Hugh Laurie a massive name in the States before House? A few may have seen him pop up in a Brit rom com or two, but I doubt that House's success was riding on it. Same with Life, Mentalist, Lost... I can't think of many big names in a lot of big US series, to be honest.
And anyway; you'd think that The Saint itself is as big a name as Dougray Scott to many.

What's the deal on broadcasters, Ian? Did you say that a US one has been lined up? Has a UK broadcaster taken it up yet?

[s.a.s. Malko]

I don´t think this is true about "relative unknown actors" when you look at the success of Miami Vice, The X-Files, Veronica Mars, Burn Notice, BSG or The Closer. But it is true about "relative boring actors" :-)

[TheSaint]

I liked Dutton's Saint. I would've picked up the dvd release but a trusted source told me they weren't uncut so, I continue to hold on to my VHS copies that I taped off the air.

I'll give Dougray Scott a chance. How dumb will Purefoy feel if this series goes to a second season?

Wondering when the hell Network will release the Roger Saint soundtrack after releasing the soundtracks to almost everything else ITC has produced on CD.

[jaguar007]

I liked Dutton's Saint. I would've picked up the dvd release but a trusted source told me they weren't uncut so, I continue to hold on to my VHS copies that I taped off the air.

I'll give Dougray Scott a chance. How dumb will Purefoy feel if this series goes to a second season?

I have my VHS copies as well, but I converted them to DVD a few years ago. I would have liked to pick up better versions of the Dutton films on DVD, but from what I understand they were region specific (unlike the Ogilvy series, which I did pick up).

I also will give Scott a chance as I think he is a pretty good (if not a bit generic) choice.

[Tybre]

I liked Dutton's Saint. I would've picked up the dvd release but a trusted source told me they weren't uncut so, I continue to hold on to my VHS copies that I taped off the air.

I'll give Dougray Scott a chance. How dumb will Purefoy feel if this series goes to a second season?

(unlike the Ogilvy series, which I did pick up).

If I may inquire, where did you pick yours up? Only places I can find carrying ROTS, online or in person (although granted I can only find it irl as an import), it's Region 2 encoded. Drives me up a wall, that.

[jaguar007]

If I may inquire, where did you pick yours up? Only places I can find carrying ROTS, online or in person (although granted I can only find it irl as an import), it's Region 2 encoded. Drives me up a wall, that.

The Umbrella release (Australia) was in PAL, but region free. If you have a DVD player that will play PAL, it will work. It also plays on the DVD player on my computer

http://www.umbrellae...cts/show/54/527

[Tybre]

If I may inquire, where did you pick yours up? Only places I can find carrying ROTS, online or in person (although granted I can only find it irl as an import), it's Region 2 encoded. Drives me up a wall, that.

The Umbrella release (Australia) was in PAL, but region free. If you have a DVD player that will play PAL, it will work. It also plays on the DVD player on my computer

http://www.umbrellae...cts/show/54/527

Right then, thanks for that. Time to look into whether or not any of my many gaming systems can handle PAL, otherwise it'll be off to Best Buy or somewhere next time I have money.

[TheSaint]

I would have liked to pick up better versions of the Dutton films on DVD, but from what I understand they were region specific (unlike the Ogilvy series, which I did pick up).

Interesting. Since it was released by Umbrella I assumed it was region free also. I was disappointed to find out that the Dutton release was featureless but would've bought it had the prints been complete.

[volante]

I loved the story about Robson Green in "Extreme F...ing"
I once swtiched over to watch the "World of Pain"
imagine my disappointment to find it featured artists taking about their favorite paintings.

Also, thw CSI franchise has so many Cities after the initial three letters that I was intregued to see
CSI Cri....

I could only come up with Cricklade, a village close to me.

However it turned out to be Crime Scene Investigation.
since then I have always called the programme CSI Cricklade
(perhaps I SHOULD HAVE KEPT THAT TO MYSELF)

...so who is going to be the new Saint???

[Ian Dickerson]

Yeah, makes sense to me. I don't think it's a necessity, though: was Hugh Laurie a massive name in the States before House? A few may have seen him pop up in a Brit rom com or two, but I doubt that House's success was riding on it. Same with Life, Mentalist, Lost... I can't think of many big names in a lot of big US series, to be honest.
And anyway; you'd think that The Saint itself is as big a name as Dougray Scott to many.

What's the deal on broadcasters, Ian? Did you say that a US one has been lined up? Has a UK broadcaster taken it up yet?

Fair point and I didn't express myself brilliantly. What I meant was that to be a lead actor in a show you've got to be established to some degree, and relative unknowns generally aren't. Jeffrey Donovan had done guest stints in numerous action shows before getting Burn Notice, Hugh Laurie, of course, had a lengthy career in the UK, Simon Baker had done 67 episodes of The Guardian before moving on to The Mentalist.

And no, I'm afraid that the recognition factor of 'The Saint' amongst the general public is not good.

Talks are ongoing with networks. Sky were very keen in the UK but there's been a change of personnel so I don't know what the current status is.

Ian

[marktmurphy]

Good stuff- it'll be good to know where it's going.

On the subject of old Saints: does anyone know if it's possible to get hold of the Paul Rhys Saint radio series from the 90's? I know BBC7 sometimes roll it out but I'd like to get my hands on it sooner.

[Brisco]

Good stuff- it'll be good to know where it's going.

On the subject of old Saints: does anyone know if it's possible to get hold of the Paul Rhys Saint radio series from the 90's? I know BBC7 sometimes roll it out but I'd like to get my hands on it sooner.

Good question! I've been looking for that too. I hope someone knows.

[marktmurphy]

Yes indeed- some very kind helpful fellows around here!

I've not managed to work my through much of them yet but they seem great fun. What a shame they've not done more. I think these guys should do some.

[Simon]

What about all the old Vincent Price plays - they may not be vintage Charteris, but his voice and delivery is somehow perfect.

Love 'em.

[Tybre]

Well my copy of "The Saint: Five Complete Novels" arrived today. Plan on starting it tomorrow, as I shall be out and about most of tonight and I imagine I shan't be in the mood for reading any time after my return. Shall return with thoughts on stories as I'm reading/after I've read them.

[Brisco]

There are still plenty of OTR episodes around on the net to entertain oneself with.
I do enjoy myself a lot with the Saint and the Shadow. And the occasional the Falcon.

Yeah, those are lots of fun. I've been making my way through all the ones I can get my hands on over the last few months. Vincent Price took some getting used to for me. His voice is so distinctive that it definitely wasn't Simon Templar to me. Almost as weird a fit as Kilmer, in fact! But the shows are so much fun that I've really gotten used to him. Tom Conway actually sounds a lot like his brother, Geroge Sanders (whose movie Saint I like), but by the time I heard him I was so used to Price that it didn't seem right. I'd really like to hear ALL the Saint actors, but it seems that most of the ones available online are Price titles. I do enjoy them. Almost as much as The Shadow!

Brisco

[jaguar007]

I kind of prefer the Tom Conway's Saint over Vincent Price myself. Conway also took over the saintish role of The Falcon from his brother back in the late 30s/early 40s.

[Mr. Somerset]

Anyone know where to obtain the Return Of The Saint dvds? Not available in the US, and I haven't seen the show in 20 years. Same with the Dutton films.

[jaguar007]

Anyone know where to obtain the Return Of The Saint dvds? Not available in the US, and I haven't seen the show in 20 years. Same with the Dutton films.

They have never been released in the US, but The Umbrella release (Australia) was in PAL, but region free. If you have a DVD player that will play PAL, it will work. Many DVD players will play PAL (I had a Toshiba, until it crapped out on me) ROTS also plays on the DVD player on my computer

http://www.umbrellae...cts/show/54/527

You might also find them on ebay