LIFE, DEATH, BOOZE AND CIGGIES. THE WIT AND WISDOM OF DAVE ALLEN

The inimitable comedian Dave Allen. Image: BBC.

Not afraid to take the mickey out of himself, his Irish upbringing, the Catholic church (which played such an important part of his formative years), and God him, or her, self, sometimes controversial but lovable comedian Dave Allen was a genuine breath of fresh air for British comedy in the late sixties to the late-eighties. From his comfortable seat, whisky in one hand and a lingering cigarette in the other, his clever, well-written waxing lyrical and observations about the human condition were priceless, as were the many inventive comedy sketches and gags, often downright farcial and big in scope, which he did for the BBC and ITV over the years. Allen was a true one a kind personality now much missed, and his larger than life storytelling is now the stuff of classic TV.

On Monday night, the UK's BBC 2 have a one hour documentary tribute- Dave Allen: God's Own Comedian- on his life and humour (featuring contributions from his family, friends and cast-mates), and I'm really looking forward to it.

Here's a few classic pieces of his work via Youtube to get you in the mood...

Dave Allen - Adam & Eve. - YouTube
One Of The Funniest Comedy Sketches Of All Time - YouTube
Dave Allen - Did you fart? - YouTube
Dave Allen - Vintage 20 Years Of Laughter - YouTube
Dave Allen on Death (funeral sketch) - YouTube
Dave Allen - "Teaching Your Kid Time" - '93 - stereo HQ - YouTube
Dave Allen on DOCTORS & SMOKERS - YouTube
4/4 The Best Of Dave Allen...The Comedy Sketches - YouTube
Dave Allen - Young Men Turning 18 - YouTube

KOOL TV REVIEW: 'SPACE:1999 - AFTERSHOCK AND AWE' GRAPHIC NOVEL

Shattered dreams for the soon stranded interstellar heroes of SPACE: 1999 in the AFTERSHOCK AND AWE graphic novel. Images: ARCHAIA BLACK LABEL.

SPACE: 1999 - AFTERSHOCK AND AWE

A GRAPHIC NOVEL 

Written by Andrew E. C. Graska

Illustrated by Gray Morrow, David Huseo and Mika

Published by ARCHAIA BLACK LABEL


Reviewed by Scott Weller


You couldn't get a more exciting and dramatic opening to a series than having our beloved shiny moon in the heavens experiencing a catastrophic nuclear explosion that swiftly sends it breaking out of Earth's orbit and into the furthest depths of outer space- its 311 residents on the enclosed Moonbase Alpha well and truly becoming the first outer space pioneers for humanity. Such was the genius of the format to the now classic and throughly innovative series SPACE: 1999, conceived by the late, great Gerry Anderson and his then wife Sylvia, as seen with its iconic pilot episode, Breakway, now a firm part of science fiction and classic television, and renowned as the most expensive show of its kind then produced. One that certainly couldn't be made now, in our fractured, cash-strapped world of film and TV making, to the exciting degree of behind the scenes realisation it had then.

That SPACE: 1999, nearly forty years on, still continues to be celebrated beyond its original two-year life span is no surprise to me at all, what with its often memorable and scary stories (especially those atmospheric ones in it's 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY-esque first season grandeur), strong but flawed characters-Martin Landau and Barbara Bain being much underrated I've always felt, and sterling model and effects work from the UK's Brian Johnson. Fans always wanted that third season that never was back in 1978, and many of those youngsters who loved it back then have grown up to create brand new, officially licensed tales for our Moonbase Alpha heroes in all manner of exciting novel fiction. Beyond those, however, there hadn't been a comic series of the show in quite a while, not since the actual seventies, so to see our SPACE: 1999 heroes and environments in sophisticated graphic novel form brought surprise and genuine excitement to me last month, what with the arrival of a publication living up to its title of AFTERSHOCK AND AWE.

Going back to the shows roots, writer Andrew E. C. Gaska brings us a fresh new spin on the series in his extended adaptation of the shows original pilot episode-AWE, whilst also carving out a second exciting all-new story around it, AFTERSHOCK, which acts as an intriguing What If? scenario for fans-showing an alternate future where John F. Kennedy was never assassinated, where our world experiences a third world war it only just survives, and where mankind's dream of reaching the stars gain their deserved momentum (charting the brave men and women soon to make their name on Moonbase Alpha), sadly leading us into the after-effects of what happened to the people and countries of Earth after losing the Moon from close orbit, and the devastating atmospheric and environmental consequences for our world that the cataclysmic event brings...

An example of the impressive artwork for the book.

Clearly a fan of the series since childhood, Gaska's AWE cleverly weaves an intricate tapestry with the Breakaway script, originally written by George Bellak (and Christopher Penfold), incorporating previously unseen material filmed for the original pilot that had been culled from it when it was reduced from its original ninety minute length to a tighter, fifty minute duration back in 1973, whilst also adding some important new material of his own, which not only leads to his second all-new tale, but also fills in the continuity blanks linked to other episodes that followed the pilot in the first and second seasons, marvellously explaining how certain supporting characters came to be stranded on Alpha in the first place and creating all-new ones with strong emotional ties to our main leads. Gaska also bravely, and logically, addresses some of the series many perceived plot holes over the years (i.e. how come Commander Koenig and co. always had so many Eagle craft available to get blown up!), and there's some fun in-jokes to enjoy, with name dropping of certain members of the series production team- most notably controversial love-him-or hate-him second season producer Fred Freiberger.

AFTERSHOCK AND AWE have differing but nonetheless superb sets of artwork, firstly from Gray Morrow and Miki, then David Huseo and Miki. AWE's revisit to Breakaway has the kind of graphics representing the series that you've always wanted to see put down on the comic book page, truly building on some of the epic and exciting sequences of that first story with spectacular style, whilst the illustrating of our lead heroes are spot on. AFTERSHOCK shows a completely different visualisation, but the palette is just as beautiful and iconic, of which its main heroes finely are drawn, of all places, from specially shot linking material attached to a 1979 SPACE: 1999 European theatrical release! It's sounds bonkers incorporating these not so well-known characters, but the idea quickly proves an irresistable and inspirational one from Gaska that works extremely well. Such is the love for the series in all its forms from this creative team that they've truly created a special and exciting new legacy for the classic series which I hope continues for years to come.

AFTERSHOCK AND AWE is an essential purchase which I know will be greatly appreciated and admired by the shows loyal fan base...

KOOL TV RATING: A galactic adventure of the human spirit reborn. 5 out of 5

Check out the FACEBOOK site here: SPACE:1999 Relaunch

BACK TO SAVE THE WORLD. 'THUNDERBIRDS' ARE GO...AGAIN!

Coming back for a new generation: the amazing rescue craft of THUNDERBIRDS. Images: ITV.

As a child I was always more of a fan of the gritty and explosive adventures of CAPTAIN SCARLET than the daring, often hair-raising adventures of those magnificent men in their flying machines-the Tracy Brothers- and their top secret International Rescue team known as the legendary THUNDERBIRDS, though I always admired its strong storytelling format (if only there was a real-life worldwide organisation like them!) and its brilliant and truly innovative production values. No series in that type of puppetry medium has ever topped it in my book, and its no surprise to me that four, now five, generations of children have continued to love and grow up with it, as well as enjoying its huge spinoff empire in toys (remember the mega success that was the Tracy Island play set back in the early nineties!) and merchandise (books, annuals, DVDs and Blu-rays galore!). The recent news that supreme New Zealand film director Peter Jackson, the gatekeeper to the LORD OF THE RINGS franchise and a long time fan of classic British cult TV and fantasy, has snapped up the rights to the series from ITV for his talented special effects boys at WETA WORKSHOP (with PUKEKO PICTURES) to conjure up a brand new series is encouraging- future CGI made episodes keeping the look of the puppet series- that I truly hope will live up to the enduring excitement and imagination that was Gerry Anderson's legacy to family entertainment.

Thunderbirds Introduction - YouTube
'Thunderbirds' Rebooting on British TV - The Hollywood Reporter

The Tracy family, Lady Penelope and friends get all spruced up with the news of their imminent return!

Of all the fascinating and fantastic vehicles that populated that original series, operated with models and strings, filmed by the late, great Derek Meddings and his youngster effects supremos with gusto and imagination, my favourite craft had to be the immense, squat green Thunderbird 2, with the changing pods containing different types of technology and rescue vehicles needed for their hazardous assignments, as well as transporting the sea based, truly yellow submarine, Thunderbird 4, into dangerous aquatic challenges. My older brother had all the THUNDERBIRDS toys in the sixties and lovingly played with them. As a two year old at the time of the early seventies he encouraged me to play with them also. Unfortunately, I ended up wrecking or destroying most of them in my ambitious yet undisciplined adventuresome mindset-Thunderbird 2 getting the most damage and now practically in pieces in the toy cupboard, beyond any hope of glueing up repair. Now, of course, those toys are worth a small fortune in good condition. Sorry, Bro!

Get the complete series on DVD here: Thunderbirds: the Complete Collection [Blu-ray]: Amazon.co.uk: Thunderbirds: Film & TV

MENACE FROM SPACE! 'UFO' RETURNS ON JAPANESE BLU-RAY

Alien fighters! The SHADO team live on in high definition, in the UFO Blu-ray Collector's Box. Image: GENEON UNIVERSAL/ITV

Gerry Anderson's indelible artistic and commercial legacy lives on, as one of his (and our) favourite series, the live-action sci-fi hit UFO, which he co-devised with Sylvia Anderson and Reg Hill, starring the late, great Ed Bishop as the formidable Commander Ed Straker, recently arrived on superb Blu-ray release for the Japanese market, accompanied by some exhaustive extras. Considering the worldwide popularity of the series, sales of this so far unique set, though very pricey, are surely set to soar as fast as an interceptor missile!

Details of the complete package, and picture quality comparisons for the colourful, exciting and thoroughly late-sixties series, can be found here: UFO Series Home Page - UFO Blu-ray discs from Japan

And check out Derek Wadsworth and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra's groovy adaptation of the series main title music (composed by Barry Gray): Re-mastered extended titles For UFO. - YouTube

So far on the horizon, there's no such planned set for the cult favourite in the UK, which previously had a very good DVD release from CARLTON in the early 2000's, but let's hope that someone out there at ITV land, or whoever now has the rights to release the show in Blighty, does the decent thing and bring out something soon that's just as worthy, if not superior, to the Japanese releases.

For all things UFO, check out this great FACEBOOK page: UFO (TV-Series)

ONE-MAN'S WAR! REMEMBERING 'THE INVADERS'

They walk amongst us. David Vincent (Roy Thinnes) is caught in the presence of THE INVADERS. Image: CBS PARAMOUNT.

How does a nightmare begin?

Well, for architect David Vincent it was with a closed and deserted diner on a far-off road, looking for a shortcut that he never found. It began with the landing of a craft from another galaxy, right before his eyes, and the discovery that aliens in human form were amongst us and ready to change the face of our world in order to make it ripe for their colonisation. Friends, work colleagues and loved ones failed to believe the incredible story Vincent continued to tell about his first contact with beings from beyond the stars, but his soon one-man war against THE INVADERS, a dying race whose plans against Humanity are legion in number, certainly makes a difference in delaying the alien beachhead. But how long can one man last against such an overwhelming and deadly threat...

One of the human formed aliens raises its weaponry.

Title sequence: Opening title sequence of The Invaders — Critical Commons

One of the all too rare science fiction series from the seemingly unlikely producer-ship of Quinn Martin, primarily known for his detective/thriller series like CANNON and THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO, THE INVADERS was presumably initiated into production because, at its heart, it was basically a chase show (one also showing McCarthy era/cold war paranoia allegories relevant for their time) that could be accepted by straightforward, not necessarily sci-fi based audiences, what with its similarities to another one of Martin's hit sixties TV series, THE FUGITIVE, but with added alien baddies instead of a one-armed man for our beleaguered but brave lead star to chase (intriguingly, the series was originally planned to have been half hour long and serialised two to three times a week). The underrated Roy Thinnes gave an excellent main performance as the isolated but determined Vincent who, every week, risked his life and credibility to thwart the alien cause, usually, finally, helped out by episodic guest stars who believed in his efforts and helped him save the day in the last, normally action-orientated, act. The Invaders of the title were also quite effective and often unnerving to watch in their human personas (whose only tell tale sign were their slightly deformed little fingers), and were often well cast with some of the top TV actors of the period (the likes of Michael Rennie, Alfred Ryder and Edward Asner), using some nifty alien technology including disintegrator weapons and a multi-coloured circular disc device that caused cerebral hemorrhages on humans and thus kept the aliens undercover in their invasion work- a handy device that also cut back on the expensive behind the scenes need for heavy optical effects.

An Invader begins to incinerate when shot.

The first season of the ultimately two-year running series is easily the best, as there's many more overall science fiction elements in there to enjoy, especially in the the first half a dozen episodes which fuse the thriller/sci-fi genre well and are expertly paced action/adventure tales. Though no expert in the genre, Producer Alan Armer would prove a respected choice for the show, alongside another fine creative choice in writer/script editor Anthony Spinner, handling and adapting the original series format created by Larry Cohen, generating a fair amount of suspense alongside some genuinely fine creative talent with sci-fi experience (mostly on the prior iconic series THE OUTER LIMITS and the original STAR TREK), including directors Robert Butler and Joseph Sargent. The shows aforementioned special effects, showing the aliens classic flying saucers, plus the scary optical effects of them incinerating when killed, would be well done by the Howard Anderson Company, whilst iconic film and TV composer, and OUTER LIMITS contributor, Dominic Frontiere's classy and sometimes unnerving, surreal music really gave the series an overall atmospheric quality boost.

Vincent infiltrates one of the alien ships.

A popular success internationally (especially in the UK (where it aired originally on the ITV channel in the sixties and later, in numerous repeat airings, on the BBC in the eighties and nineties) and France-(where Thinnes would become a well-known name, alongside his then wife Lynn Loring), THE INVADERS, spanning an additional book and colour comic series in the US and UK, is one of those rare shows that has held up very well over time. A planned nineties feature film remake, in which both silver screen heavyweights Harrison Ford and Alec Baldwin were offered the lead role of Vincent sadly never materialised, with Ford instead starring in a commercially successful remake of THE FUGITIVE instead, though a mini series revival/re-imaging starring ENTERPRISE's Scott Bakula as the new hero facing the alien threat, with a guest cameo from Thinnes as David Vincent, was reasonably successful if critically panned, though a possible new series f3ll through the cracks. Still, with Hollywood's current need and box-office grosses obsession with re-makes and re-imaginings, it surely won't be long before David Vincent is resurrected to help fight a bigger, more intense alien threat on either our TV screens or at your nearest multiplex...

Here's KOOL TV's favourite episodes from Season One (of which pretty much all of that year is of a very high and consistently strong standard).

Several aliens inside their regeneration stations.

BEACHHEAD (Series opener). The Invaders have arrived on Earth and David Vincent has seen them. The only problem is his trying to convince a disbelieving world that that the nightmare has already begun. Following the clues to one of their colonisation areas (located in a small and obscure township), Vincent's one man war against the alien aggressors begins. A terrific series launch, with some scary and surreal moments from writer Anthony Wilson, backed up with sterling and atmospheric direction via soon to be series regular Joseph Sargent. Note: an extended version of the pilot episode is available on the recent US release of the series.

THE EXPERIMENT.Vincent seeks out an astrophysicist (Laurence Naismith) with proof of the aliens arrival on Earth, but the enemy is soon in pursuit. Anthony Spinner carves out a great adventure story, fast paced with an explosive finale. A strong guest cast also includes a fine performance from Roddy McDowall, whose character is brainwashed into helping the alien cause.

THE LEECHES. The aliens are kidnapping some of the world's finest scientists in their specialised fields. Vincent is determined to find out why. Guest starring Arthur Hill. 

Suzanne Pleshette as Vikki and Vincent run from the enemy in The Mutation.

THE MUTATION. In the Mexican desert, the aliens set a trap for Vincent, where no one is what they seem. Suzanne Pleshette has a memorable guest starring role as David's love interest with a twist, in a vivid script from David Chandler and George Eckstein, alongside some imaginative location filming from director Paul Wendkos.

VIKOR. Has successful industrialist and war hero George Vikor (a powerful performance from HAWAII FIVE O's Jack Lord) allied himself to the alien cause? David must discover the truth before it's too late. Alfred Ryder makes the first of two appearances in the series as a ruthless enemy leader.

An alien ship lands to deposit crew and cargo.

DOOMSDAY MINUS ONE. At the eve of a nuclear test, and fearing alien infiltration at his army base, Major Rick Graves (William Windom) calls in Vincent in a race against time that could decimate a section of America.

THE INNOCENT. Vincent is abducted by the aliens, as one of their leaders (Michael Rennie) tries to convince our disbelieving hero that their arrival on Earth is of ultimate benefit to humankind.

Vincent continues his fight back against the extra terrestrials.

MOONSHOT. Has an upcoming moonshot been compromised by the aliens? Vincent heads to Florida to discover the truth, in an exciting tale. Guest starring MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE's dependable Peter Graves.

WALL OF CRYSTAL. The aliens target David's brother Bob (Linden Chiles) to try and stop Vincent from finally revealing their existence on Earth in another suspenseful tale that gives a bit more depth to David's character, and additional jeopardy to his continued situation.

KOOL TV will look back at Season Two of THE INVADERS in a future article.

Get hold of the complete series here (note: the UK releases have no extras compared to the US versions): The Invaders - The Believer's Box Complete Box Set DVD: Amazon.co.uk: Film & TV

ONE MAN ARMY! REMEMBERING 'THE EQUALIZER'!

The ultimate scum removal service! Edward Woodward is THE EQUALIZER. Image: CBS/ UNIVERSAL.

One of the more pleasing aspects of Hollywood is that you don't have to be young to be an international star. Take seasoned British actor Edward Woodward, well known and much loved in the UK for his four year role as the gritty British spy CALLAN in the sixties and seventies. He had appeared in numerous films (including noteworthy projects like the scary and iconic THE WICKER MAN, the Australian drama BREAKER MORANT and SAS action-hit WHO DARES WINS), and was also a very talented singer, but he had never at that time managed to make the transitional jump to big-time American success. But that was to change in the eighties. Enter rising star writer/producer Michael Sloan, who, obviously a fan of the actors intense and action-packed performance as moody but magnificent Callan, boldly cast him in a new series, co-created with Richard Lindheim, that would soon make Woodward a household name across the United States and beyond: the hugely successful thriller CBS running series THE EQUALIZER, with Woodward playing ex- spy Robert McCall, who, on a weekly basis, and with shades of his former British agent identity layered into his performance, begin his bold audience pleasing quest to turn the tide against the ever present criminal hordes, psychopaths and killers rampant in a then crime soaring America, most notably concentrated in New York. McCall would be the ultimate vigilante for hire, and right from the start, as he emerged from the shadows of a dimly lit alley, his aura captured in back lit car lights, his character and the series bold intentions struck a chord of hope and defiance into the hearts of Stateside viewers suffering from muggings, assaults, robberies and break-ins-at a time in history when citizens were often taking to the street in protest and resilience wanting to take the fight back to their assailants in the kind of way that hadn't been seen since the early seventies notoriety of Charles Bronson's original DEATH WISH movie. Remember those real-life red bereted Guardian Angels that would patrol the Manhattan subways?

The Equalizer. (Original Intro Music And Vid Extended) - YouTube

With his intelligence, cunning and often brute force, McCall would have been a god send in the then eighties New York, though fortunately, thanks to the heroism of real-life dedicated police officers and other vital law makers, the crime rate in New York would thankfully be cut down vastly in the years to come. Meanwhile, Woodward would make the most of his success in the lead series role, often hugged and cheered on by the enthusiastic and grateful public watching him filming on their streets, and becoming a sex symbol of sorts long before that other UK thespian Patrick Stewart came along as Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Sadly and unluckily, after two huge rating seasons, major health issues and a very scary heart attack forced Woodward to seek time off from the hectic and very heavy filming requirements the show beget, with American star Michael Jordan filling in for him as McCall's partner-in-battle, Harley Gage, as well as the inspired guesting of the intimidating presence of film-legend Robert Mitchum. As the series went on, the vigilanted figure's storytelling gave way to other dramatic aspects of the characters history, namely in his interactions with his former spy masters at The Agency, enigmatically led by the mysterious Control (Robert Lansing, best known worldwide to TV viewers as the enigmatic alien/human spy Gary Seven in the original sixties STAR TREK).

Making a mark with its 88 episodes over four seasons, with an immense run of popular guest stars, including the likes of Christan Slater, Bradley Whitford, Steve Buscemi, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci, Cynthia Nixon and even Adam Ant!, there wasn't anything quite like THE EQUALIZER on American television at that time, and it would also be a solid hit with the stars many British fans, too. With its ultimate conclusion, Woodward would prove a popular guest star on many other US and UK TV series before his sad passing , but its as Callan and McCall that he would leave an indelible and long lasting mark in popular TV culture, so much so that a long rumoured film version of THE EQUALIZER, starring Denzel Washington in the title role, is apparently now in the works. It looks like the scales of justice will very soon be firmly back on the heroes side once again...

Season Four of THE EQUALIZER is now available on DVD from FABULOUS FILMS. Get it here:
The Equalizer - Season Four [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Edward Woodward, Laurence Fishburne, Ving Rhames, Stanley Tucci: Film & TV

PAST AND FUTURE: THE RETURN OF PRIME-TIME 'PRIMEVAL'!

It's Dino-time once more for heroes Connor (Andrew-Lee Potts), Abby (Hannah Spearritt) and Matt (Ciaran McMenamin) in season five of PRIMEVAL. Images: IMPOSSIBLE PICTURES.

Family friendly Dino carnage returns to the UK's ITV1 and HD channels this Saturday at 6pm with the return of cult-hit sci-fi/monster drama PRIMEVAL, as the scientist/army comprised ARC team responds once more to the threat of time breaching creatures of all shapes, sizes and weirdness, from past, present and future, onto British soil (well, Irish soil, really-the country now being the series main location filming base, filling in for London's noted modern architecture). This fifth (and likely final) series set with our current band of heroes, most notably series regulars Andrew-Lee Potts and Hannah Spearritt as scientists Connor Temple and Abby Maitland, sees the continuing threat of the mysterious anomalies growing larger as a scheme by scheming industrialist business Philip Burton (STAR TREK's Alexander Siddig) gets out of control and soon has frightening effects for the whole of sentient creation.

Check out our previous features on Season Five: ROMPER STOMPER! "PRIMEVAL" SEASON FIVE

MONSTER MUNCH! "PRIMEVAL" SEASON FIVE

CREATURE FEATURE! KOOL TV REVIEW OF "PRIMEVAL" SEASON FIVE

Season Five trailer (from when it was previously on WATCH): Primeval Series 5 Official Trailer - YouTube

Teaser posters for the new series PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD

It's not perfect, and the ultimate resolution to the series story arc (begun in tantalising small bits during the previous season four) is a bit ho-hum rather than as spectacular as it should be (probably the result of budget cuts when the series had to be co-financed between ITV, the satellite channel WATCH (who had first transmission dibs on it last year) and other European TV backers), but the work put into all by the resident creatures effects team is good, the cast give it their best and the series ultimately ends on a relatively successful all for one and one for all note. At least one of the main cast, Potts, will return for a cameo appearance in the now-in-production new series of PRIMEVAL being filmed in Vancouver, Canada, with an all-new cast within a major format shake-up re-imaging/spin-off hybrid thingy. PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD, made by the Space channel in association with some of the key creative team of the original UK series, promises in its press release to be a darker and scarier ride for its thirteen episode premiere season duration, giving the series a further youthful, sexed-up new cast (apparently including VAMPIRE DIARIES Sara Canning as a predator attack expert, HEARTLAND's Miranda Frigon, ONCE UPON A TIME's Geoff Gustafson and YOUNG JAMES HERRIOT's Danny Rahmi), and further gory special effects against a story backdrop that builds on what was originally established on the Brit side of the pond. Whatever happens with the new series, at least it can't be any worse than the early episodes of TERRA NOVA!

More news as and when...

KOOL TV CLASSIC IMAGE: 'SAPPHIRE AND STEEL' HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED...

Into the unknown: Joanna Lumley and David McCallum are SAPPHIRE AND STEEL. Images: ATV/ITV/NETWORK DVD.

Making a striking and attractive duo, Joanna Lumley and David McCallum excelled as the inter-dimensonal detectives investigating time break-ins, within the inspired ATV sci-fi/supernatural/horror drama serial/series created by the late P.J. Hammond: SAPPHIRE AND STEEL, which originally ran from 1979 to 1982 on the ITV channel, and is still very much beloved and remembered by those who watched its premiere transmissions.

I never quite understood what the series opening titles narration actually meant but I do remember often being scared out of my wits by the shows tea-time horrors and generally all-consuming and prevailing creepy atmosphere- apparently a format born out of the need by the ITV network to quickly and suddenly fill an unexpected gaping hole in the TV schedules of the time-which captivated me and my family on a twice-a-week basis, where the concept of time, and the things created from it, would emerge as a dark and corrupting power when it went into imbalance through accidental causality from an unwitting human race, and creating highly dangerous scenarios that had to be put right by our dependable, if not always totally victorious, Time Agents-the beautiful and comforting Sapphire, possessing telepathic and sensory abilities as well as being able to take current time back minutes or seconds, played by the always charming ex-NEW AVENGER Joanna Lumley, and the intimidating and resourceful Steel, played by ex-MAN FROM UNCLE star and current NCIS'er David McCallum. Here was a true combination of mystery, beauty, brawn and intelligence as they found themselves caught up in numerous dangerous environments within the six stories that spanned their excellent run. The first saw a house of clocks being a target for time infiltration, with two young children caught in the crossfire, the second-my favourite-a disused railways station which saw one of its dark patches feeding on the suffering of the dead from the first two world wars, the third within a futuristic time capsule invaded by a time-possessed animal hybrid, the fourth a photographers studio flat, where a deadly creature manages to hide within photographs and literally send its victims into them, the fifth set within an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery mansion linked to a virulent, genetically engineered disease outbreak, and finally a seemingly no-win scenario for our heroes where, within a time-trapped garage/layover cafe. they fight rival time agents who have decided that the duo have become too powerful and influential for their own good, and need to be removed once and for all...

Title sequence: Sapphire and Steel - TV intro HQ (1979-82) - YouTube

Lumley and McCallum pose for a first season publicity image.

Despite the mostly all-studio shot nature of the series, SAPPHIRE AND STEEL, always played with conviction, well-written by the likes of Hammond, Don Houghton and Anthony Read, and produced with verve by Shaun O'Riordan (who also directed, along with David Foster), would be acclaimed for its terrific atmosphere (helped my Cyril Ornadel's music that was sparingly and effectively used to build on the scares), backed up with very good for their time special effects and excellent classic DOCTOR WHO-esque cliff-hangers. Not all the stories ended happily, either, which was a rare thing for the TV drama of the time, and some had terrible consequences-with Steel often proving himself a ruthless, often cruel bastard, not only in his dealings with corrupted Time but Humanity as well (much to the occasional disappointment and anger of Sapphire)- indeed the conclusion of story two is an absolute shocker and darkly morbid, adding to the overall quite adult sequences in the series that belay its family timeslot.

The classic UK TVTIMES magazine cover heralding the shows arrival in 1979. Image: TVTIMES.

Spawning a novel, a one-off children's annual and a very popular colour comic strip spread within the  bright and breezy pages of LOOK-IN magazine, SAPPHIRE AND STEEL ended on a brilliant cliffhanger that was sadly never resolved (due to escalating production costs, the reorganising and re-sttructuring of the ATV company, and the growing inability to get the popular actors together for specific filming time-frames), though it status as one of the UK's best ever cult sci-fi/horror series lives on in its numerous satellite screenings over the years, as well as releases on VHS and DVD...


The series is currently available on DVD from NETWORK.