1078 replies to this topic

[Simon]

Have ordered this just now - all seems to work.

[screamingmoonrock]

Ian Dickinson mentioned that a potential 28 year old was in the running for the lead, it's not Henry Cavill is it? My suggestion would be young actor by the name of Luke Evans, he has a certain look and is about to become a huge star

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1812656/

My perfect Actor to play ST would be Richard Armitage, he has the looks, the right age, the build / height and would be able to play the darker character of Leslie Charteris's character. What do you guys think?

On a slightly different note, does anyone remember the TV show Vengeance Unlimited, it was a precurssor to Burn Notice maybe 7-8 years before and starred Michael Madsen as the main protagonist Mr Chapel. Vengence Unlimited is EXACTLY what the producers need to use as a template for the proposed 'new' Saint. It is dark, sarcastic, has adventure, is extreamly well written and has a characterful appeal i.e. one man and his lady sidekick fighting injustice, wheather it be a damsel in distress, crooked Lawyer/Judge, corrupt police or a exploiting multinational company. All the elements are there i.e. the car [black 1969 Dodge Charger], smart protagonist with a mysterious past and no visible means of an income reads newspapers or watches TV in order to find a poor soul who has had some bad luck with injustice. Protagonist resides in Motels [to keep a low profile] around the country. He breaks or bends the law in order to achieve goal of bringing criminals to justice, using false identities and brutality, using plausable modern day covert equipment for info gathering/surveilance [no hi-tech CIA/MI6 issued equipment]products that are freely available in the USA.

IMHO, this was the modern day Saint on TV, and I will be using this as a gauge for the proposed 'new' Saint. Surely, the producers and writers of 'Vengence Unlimited' must have used The Saint as their 'inspiration', but paying more attention to the darker pulp origins of Leslie Charteris's Saint character but grounded the hero in the gritty, real world of modern day America. Hence, more plausable real life injustice that can affect anyone are the subject matters. Overall, the similarities between Simon Templar and Mr Chapel are more than coincedental.

[Glenn]

Richard Armitage? He was excellent as an SAS soldier in Strike Back, but I think that he is a bit stiff to play the agile Simon Templar who thumps crooks on the nose. But the lack of news is infuriating.


On the book front what I would like to see is the French Saint novels translated into English. Why that was never done and the stories were only published in French and Dutch I'll never know.

[screamingmoonrock]

I know what you mean in regards to Richard Armitage being stiff but he does have range to play dark humor. He once played the love interest to Dawn French in a comedy here in the UK called the Vicar of Dibley. He's known for his romantic light roles in costume dramas to the darker abused, tortured roles. The perfect way to describe him would be a hybrid of Hugh Jackman and Rufus Sewell. Depending on the tone of the script, the direction the producers want to take the Saint, Richard Armitage might be be the best choice.

Just to speculate what would ST drive, what do you guys like to see him drive?
It was reported when James Purefoy was attatched that ST was to drive a Maserati GranTurismo then this was dropped in favour for the Fisker hybrid.

http://karma.fiskerautomotive.com

In my opinion, for the 'new' ST, I would be happy if his choice of car would be one of the following:
A dark grey Jaguar XK-R [modern day 'mighty Hirondel']
Maserati GranTurismo [modern day Furilliac]

My personal choice would be the Nissan GTR. Why? Humble background like Volvo, vast motorsport pedigree(Volvo had rallying), but still seen as an 'outsider'compared to the established brands i.e. Aston Martin,Porsche,Ferrari in terms of image. This could be seen as a reflection of ST himself i.e. cocky, simply existing to upset the vulgar, ostentatious, overatted un-godly establishment. I believe this would reinforce the Saint's character i.e. International, high class thief behind the wheel of a supercar which has proven around the world that it is better than its more expensive, blingy and well established rivals. The Saint's choice is definately 'in the know' category. Just as the Volvo P1800 was compared with the 'exotics' of its day e.g. Jaguar E-Type, the same can be applied today with the Nissan GTR. Make no mistake, the GTR won't make the same impact as the P1800 did, that wil remain synonymous with the Saint, however, the GTR, IMO is closer in spirit to the 'mighty Hirondel', which Leslie Charteris based on the 1930 Lagonda M45 Rapide, a race car of its day. If the intention of the producers is to make a similar cult impact as the P1800 did, give ST a GT-R. Very reminescent of what Volvo was trying to achieve with the P1800 with it's 50's Ferrari front end and Cadillac / Ford Thunderbird Fintails. This should be all the luxury GT Coupe ST needs. I would be pleased to see ST parked up on the side of mountain road with the beautiful Patricia Holm and the sun setting down behind the GTR. At least its not the obvious German choice's and I hope (whatever it is its Gun Metal grey or a dark colour.

[RufusCobb]

From my publisher:

The new Hirst Books webshop is up and running, including your book. http://www.freewebst...HirstPublishing

To help test it, I'm offering a 10% discount for June 17th only, on all purchases of all books. Please note that this is a temporary address - in a couple of days it will change to www.hirstpublishing.com

Please tell your friends. and spread the word To claim the discount they need to enter the voucher code FB1 at checkout.

Got your tip-off on the 17th June but when I tried it in the evening I got 'Page not found'. Guess they did too much business and pulled the link. But never fear, I used the bookmark I already had for them and still got the 10% discount. I look forward to reading your book.

Edited by RufusCobb, 17 June 2010 - 07:35 PM.

[Guy Haines]

Since, in these recessionary times, TV and film producers alike are "playing safe", I'm surprised we haven't seen a new version of "The Saint".

I was brought up on "The Saint" - along with "Danger Man", "The Avengers", "Department S", "The Champions", "Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)" and, of course, "The Prisoner". Ah, happy days!

I would welcome a remake, and have no particular prejudice about Simon Templar being played by an non-British actor, provided he gets the character right.

That said, for me, the definitive "Saint" was played by an actor who went on to play another famous character we all admire on this site!

[Ian Dickerson]

Richard Armitage? He was excellent as an SAS soldier in Strike Back, but I think that he is a bit stiff to play the agile Simon Templar who thumps crooks on the nose. But the lack of news is infuriating.


On the book front what I would like to see is the French Saint novels translated into English. Why that was never done and the stories were only published in French and Dutch I'll never know.

If you think the lack of news is infuriating, trust me, it's a lot worse from where I'm sitting. But nothing is going to be announced until everything is in place and contracts are signed. Speculate all you want--the one thing I will say is that the halo is up for grabs at the moment.

The French novels were hybrids born from old radio scripts and the comic scripts that Leslie wrote for the Herald-Tribune syndicate, and many of them read like comic book stories. Publishers wanting a Saint story nowadays want it a little more up to date and well, less comic book.

Having said that I did translate a chunk of one of the French originals a few years ago--it was the one where Teal comes out of retirement--and it wasn't that bad. But it would take a translator and a Charteris-izer to make the books publishable.

Ian

Got your tip-off on the 17th June but when I tried it in the evening I got 'Page not found'. Guess they did too much business and pulled the link. But never fear, I used the bookmark I already had for them and still got the 10% discount. I look forward to reading your book.

No, they simply moved it to www.hirstpublishing.com earlier than planned and shut down the free web store.

Ian

Richard Armitage? He was excellent as an SAS soldier in Strike Back, but I think that he is a bit stiff to play the agile Simon Templar who thumps crooks on the nose.

I know what you mean but I wouldn't dismiss him that quickly. I'd at least want him to read for the role.

Ian

[marktmurphy]

Just to speculate what would ST drive, what do you guys like to see him drive?
It was reported when James Purefoy was attatched that ST was to drive a Maserati GranTurismo then this was dropped in favour for the Fisker hybrid.

http://karma.fiskerautomotive.com

In my opinion, for the 'new' ST, I would be happy if his choice of car would be one of the following:
A dark grey Jaguar XK-R [modern day 'mighty Hirondel']
Maserati GranTurismo [modern day Furilliac]

I did have a sit in one of these on the weekend:


XKR black pack (in white, natch). I loved it; I'd love a hero like The Saint to drive one.

However, if he likes a quirky and extremely powerful beast, how about one of these:


A Bristol Fighter: a totally nuts and hugely expensive British car. Alternatively, how about the stylish 411? And yes, this is a brand new car!

[Simon]

The French novels were hybrids born from old radio scripts and the comic scripts that Leslie wrote for the Herald-Tribune syndicate, and many of them read like comic book stories. Publishers wanting a Saint story nowadays want it a little more up to date and well, less comic book.

Having said that I did translate a chunk of one of the French originals a few years ago--it was the one where Teal comes out of retirement--and it wasn't that bad. But it would take a translator and a Charteris-izer to make the books publishable.

Ian

I don't remember whether it was the same book but I thought the Saint a Paris was passably entertaining. My French wasn't, and certainly isn't now, advanced enough to pass any comment further than that.

The striking thing about that novel was the resemblance between it and the Kilmer Saint movie - although I remember you saying that there had been no referring to it.

Otherwise, the stitch ups where three separate and disparate stories were cobbled together to make one novel were a trifle hard going sometimes.

[screamingmoonrock]

Yes, excellent choice, I would advocate the Bristol, but the brand new series 4 which has Audi rear lights.

http://upload.wikime...lBlenheim4s.jpg

Any more ideas for the role of ST?

[screamingmoonrock]

Richard Armitage. Simon Templar or James Bond?

http://blogs.sundaym...lk/armitage.jpg

[Ian Dickerson]

On a slightly different note, does anyone remember the TV show Vengeance Unlimited, it was a precurssor to Burn Notice maybe 7-8 years before and starred Michael Madsen as the main protagonist Mr Chapel. Vengence Unlimited is EXACTLY what the producers need to use as a template for the proposed 'new' Saint. It is dark, sarcastic, has adventure, is extreamly well written and has a characterful appeal i.e. one man and his lady sidekick fighting injustice, wheather it be a damsel in distress, crooked Lawyer/Judge, corrupt police or a exploiting multinational company. All the elements are there i.e. the car [black 1969 Dodge Charger], smart protagonist with a mysterious past and no visible means of an income reads newspapers or watches TV in order to find a poor soul who has had some bad luck with injustice. Protagonist resides in Motels [to keep a low profile] around the country. He breaks or bends the law in order to achieve goal of bringing criminals to justice, using false identities and brutality, using plausable modern day covert equipment for info gathering/surveilance [no hi-tech CIA/MI6 issued equipment]products that are freely available in the USA.

Just wanted to say thanks for bringing this to my attention. The wife and I are about a third of the way through the series and thoroughly enjoying it...

Ian

[Glenn]

[quote name='Ian Dickerson' date='17 June 2010 - 21:40' post='1111948']
The French novels were hybrids born from old radio scripts and the comic scripts that Leslie wrote for the Herald-Tribune syndicate, and many of them read like comic book stories. Publishers wanting a Saint story nowadays want it a little more up to date and well, less comic book.

Having said that I did translate a chunk of one of the French originals a few years ago--it was the one where Teal comes out of retirement--and it wasn't that bad. But it would take a translator and a Charteris-izer to make the books publishable.

Ian

[\quote]

You are a 'Charteris-izer! Burl Barer is a 'Charteris-izer! He did an excellent job with his novelization of the Val Kilmer film.

And what about the short stories published in The Saint Magazine? Not all of those stories were published in novel form, eg The Saint Intervenes.

Or Burl Barer writing another charity novel??

Can you tell I am just desperate to read something new/unpublished of the Saint?

[Ian Dickerson]

And what about the short stories published in The Saint Magazine? Not all of those stories were published in novel form, eg The Saint Intervenes.

Or Burl Barer writing another charity novel??

Can you tell I am just desperate to read something new/unpublished of the Saint?

All the Saint stories that were published in the magazine have also been published in book form. The editorials and non-Saint articles haven't though.

Burl is currently writing a Saint novel entitled "The Return of the Saint" which a number of publishers are interested in however they've all said it depends on what happens with the TV pilot.

Ian

[Glenn]

And what about the short stories published in The Saint Magazine? Not all of those stories were published in novel form, eg The Saint Intervenes.

Or Burl Barer writing another charity novel??

Can you tell I am just desperate to read something new/unpublished of the Saint?

All the Saint stories that were published in the magazine have also been published in book form. The editorials and non-Saint articles haven't though.

Burl is currently writing a Saint novel entitled "The Return of the Saint" which a number of publishers are interested in however they've all said it depends on what happens with the TV pilot.

Ian

All of them? I must admit, the following few titles do not ring any bells :-

The Saint and the Green Green Goods Man
The Saint and the Cleaner Cure
The Saint and the Double Badger
The Saint and the Mug's Game
The Saint and the Lawless Lady
The Saint and the Blind Spot


This is just a sample, and as you can see, I have lifted the titles from your website


A lot of the titles I can account for but not all of them. I must be missing an omnibus somewhere along the line.

Good news on the Burl Barer front, but if the tv deal falls through, is there a chance that it will be published along the lines of Capture the Saint?

[Ian Dickerson]

'The Saint and the Green Goods Man' is from The Brighter Buccaneer (Hodder & Stoughton, February 1933) . As is 'The Saint and the Blind Spot'.
'The Saint and the Cleaner Cure' is from Trust the Saint (Doubleday, October 1962).
'The Saint and the Double Badger' is better known as 'Luella' from Saint Errant (Doubleday, 1948)
'The Saint and the Mug's Game' originally appeared as 'The Mug's Game' in The Happy Highwayman (Doubleday, March 1939)
'The Saint and the Lawless Lady' first appeared as 'The Lawless Lady' in Enter the Saint (Hodder and Stoughton, August 1930)

Wouldn't like to say what will happen with the novel. If this incarnation of the Saint on TV fails there are other people wanting to do it, so we'll see.

Ian

[Simon]

Burl is currently writing a Saint novel entitled "The Return of the Saint" which a number of publishers are interested in however .............

Oh Lord.

Has anyone suggested to him to omit attempts for side splitting guffaws derived from the likes of including the name 'Roger Moore' as a codename for something else?

(For those not aware of the reasoning behind this, Roger Moore is an actor who once portrayed the Saint in the 60's. As a piece of comedic subtlety, it is right up there with being hit on the head with a sledgehammer.)

[Glenn]

'The Saint and the Green Goods Man' is from The Brighter Buccaneer (Hodder & Stoughton, February 1933) . As is 'The Saint and the Blind Spot'.
'The Saint and the Cleaner Cure' is from Trust the Saint (Doubleday, October 1962).
'The Saint and the Double Badger' is better known as 'Luella' from Saint Errant (Doubleday, 1948)
'The Saint and the Mug's Game' originally appeared as 'The Mug's Game' in The Happy Highwayman (Doubleday, March 1939)
'The Saint and the Lawless Lady' first appeared as 'The Lawless Lady' in Enter the Saint (Hodder and Stoughton, August 1930)

Wouldn't like to say what will happen with the novel. If this incarnation of the Saint on TV fails there are other people wanting to do it, so we'll see.

Ian

I stand corrected, I will have to dig out my old Saint novels from the attic, because I have no recollection of these stories whatsoever. old age, I guess.

[screamingmoonrock]

Ian

Good to know that your enjoying watching Vengeance Unlimited. One question, do you agree/disagree that there are similarities between the character of "Mr Chapel" and the Saint from the books?

I found Michael Madsen perfect for the main character. The writers play on his past character from Resevoir Dogs as he uses the name, Vic as a false name from that movie, there is also a scene where is seen shaving using a cut-throat razor no doubt relating to the nortorious ear scene from Reservoir Dogs. Essentially, he is perfectly suited with the dark humor that's injected into the script and also the brutality he dishes out. The 1 million dollar fee or a favour owed, is in my opinion an update on what The Saint carried out fom the books.

Kudos to the scripts, urbane with some menace and a touch of noir and delivered brilliantly by "Mr Chapel". My favourite episode is the one with the chainsaw, that scene is something I imagine the Saint would do.

What Vengeance Unlimited and the series Burn Notice highlight, is that it is very much possible to make an excellent Saint TV series (please,please TV execs and producers of the Saint watch Vengeance Unlimited and use it as your guideline)

I urge everyone else to find a copy of the series if possible (not sure if it got released officially). One of the best TV shows ever made.

[Ian Dickerson]

Has anyone suggested to him to omit attempts for side splitting guffaws derived from the likes of including the name 'Roger Moore' as a codename for something else?

Yes. I'm keeping him on the straight and narrow.

To be honest if we let that sort of stuff through (and I know where you're coming from) it simply won't sell.

Ian

Edited by Ian Dickerson, 25 June 2010 - 08:29 AM.

[Ian Dickerson]

Ian

Good to know that your enjoying watching Vengeance Unlimited. One question, do you agree/disagree that there are similarities between the character of "Mr Chapel" and the Saint from the books?

I found Michael Madsen perfect for the main character. The writers play on his past character from Resevoir Dogs as he uses the name, Vic as a false name from that movie, there is also a scene where is seen shaving using a cut-throat razor no doubt relating to the nortorious ear scene from Reservoir Dogs. Essentially, he is perfectly suited with the dark humor that's injected into the script and also the brutality he dishes out. The 1 million dollar fee or a favour owed, is in my opinion an update on what The Saint carried out fom the books.

Oh sure...there are strong similiarities between the Saint and Mr Chapel.

It's probably a bit darker than I'd want the Saint to be and perhaps a little less stylised but I don't want to detract from either. I think Vengeance Unlimited is great.

Ian

[Simon]

Has anyone suggested to him to omit attempts for side splitting guffaws derived from the likes of including the name 'Roger Moore' as a codename for something else?

Yes. I'm keeping him on the straight and narrow.

To be honest if we let that sort of stuff through (and I know where you're coming from) it simply won't sell.

Ian

You're a good man.

A premise almost needs to be set dictating an exclusion of all 'in' jokes, and if he can succeed on that basis then good luck.

But there have been two past attempts that would seem to indicate otherwise which, with the ridiculously high opinion he has of himself (adoraburl - brilliant author?), leads me to question whether he can listen to editorial advice.

That said, you know him, and I do not.

[Ian Dickerson]

http://www.digitalsp...int-remake.html

Posted with no comment whilst watching someone jump over a firearm.

Ian

[Glenn]

"Posted with no comment"

So can you neither confirm nor deny that this news is not a rumour?

When does filming start?? When will it be on tv???? When is the boxed set out???? Will there be a book series accompanying the tv series????

Aaahh, all this no news about the Saint is almost as bad as the non-news concerning MGM great financial position.

So, Ian, Mr Dickerson, when will we know something for certain? Are you able to say that much, or is that still tied up in knots?

[Tybre]

Well, at least we're finally hearing something, whether news or rumor. Hopefully it gets off the ground soon.

[Ian Dickerson]

"Posted with no comment"

So can you neither confirm nor deny that this news is not a rumour?

When does filming start?? When will it be on tv???? When is the boxed set out???? Will there be a book series accompanying the tv series????

Aaahh, all this no news about the Saint is almost as bad as the non-news concerning MGM great financial position.

So, Ian, Mr Dickerson, when will we know something for certain? Are you able to say that much, or is that still tied up in knots?

There's a significant meeting about everything next week so hopefully more will happen then. But at the moment nothing is guaranteed...

Ian

[marktmurphy]

I like the way he tries to tease about the car and yet (unless it's changed) that's the one thing we did know the identity of!

[jaguar007]

A bit off topic

I noticed this headline on today's Yahoo.

Beware of jumping whales if you’re sailing off South Africa
By Brett Michael Dykes


Ralph Mothes and Paloma Werner of Cape Town Sailing Academy in South Africa are old hats when it comes to expeditions on the open seas. But there's no way they could have anticipated Sunday's wildlife encounter when they set out for a routine sail near Robben Island: A 40-ton whale leaped out of the sea and landed on the deck of their boat, the London Daily Telegraph reports. Luckily, Mothes and Werner both came away alive, as did the whale.



Pictures provided by Werner show the incredible sight of the breaching whale just before impact, as well as the aftermath.

take a look at the sail on the boat

[Dekard77]

A bit off topic

I noticed this headline on today's Yahoo.

Beware of jumping whales if you’re sailing off South Africa
By Brett Michael Dykes


Ralph Mothes and Paloma Werner of Cape Town Sailing Academy in South Africa are old hats when it comes to expeditions on the open seas. But there's no way they could have anticipated Sunday's wildlife encounter when they set out for a routine sail near Robben Island: A 40-ton whale leaped out of the sea and landed on the deck of their boat, the London Daily Telegraph reports. Luckily, Mothes and Werner both came away alive, as did the whale.



Pictures provided by Werner show the incredible sight of the breaching whale just before impact, as well as the aftermath.

take a look at the sail on the boat

Cool find!

[Simon]

Whoever was holding the camera was quick off the mark.

Seems the boatist survived as well.