The Frighteners (The Avengers)
The Frighteners | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Television episode |
| Years active | 1961 |
| Known for | Fifteenth episode of the first series of The Avengers |
The Frighteners represents the fifteenth installment in the inaugural series of the 1960s British spy-fi television show The Avengers, featuring performances by Ian Hendry and Patrick Macnee. This episode was helmed by director Peter Hammond and penned by writer Berkely Mather. Its original broadcast took place on 27 May 1961.
For a significant period, it stood as the sole surviving complete episode from the first series until additional episodes resurfaced in 2001 and 2016. As of 2022, it holds the distinction of being the earliest fully preserved episode showcasing both Steed and Keel, as well as the earliest extant episode including Steed.
Plot
Sir Thomas Weller, a prosperous businessman, enlists a criminal faction known as "The Frighteners," commanded by a figure called "The Deacon," with the objective of intimidating his daughter's disfavored suitor, Jeremy de Willoughby, whom Weller suspects to be exploiting her wealth.
Dr. Keel and Steed become involved by rescuing de Willoughby and conducting inquiries into both him and the gang. Sharing Weller's concerns, they endeavor to prevent de Willoughby from maintaining a relationship with Weller's daughter.
Cast
- Ian Hendry as Dr. David H. Keel
- Patrick Macnee as John Steed
- Ingrid Hafner as Carol Wilson
- Willoughby Goddard as The Deacon
- Philip Gilbert as Jeremy de Willoughby
- Philip Locke as Moxon
- Doris Hare as Mrs. Briggs / Doris Courtney
- Stratford Johns as Sir Thomas Weller
- Dawn Beret as Marylin Weller
- David Andrews as Nigel
- Godfrey James as Nature Boy
- Neil Wilson as Beppi Colisimo
- Eric Elliott as Butler
- Ann Taylor as Secretary
- Ralph Tovey as Waiter, Nicholl
- Benn Simons as Inspector Charlie Foster
- Eleanor Darling as Flower Seller
- Ben Nightingale as Fred the Cabbie
- Victor Charrington as Breckin
- Frank Peters as Janitor
- Charles Wood as Police Constable
Production
The episode’s production concluded on 25 May 1961. It is recognized as the first fully intact episode from the initial series to survive. For many years, it remained the only complete episode accessible until Girl on the Trapeze was recovered in 2001 and Tunnel of Fear in 2016.
Reception
Originally broadcast on ABC on 27 May 1961, this episode was described by Anthony Aldgate as offering a "tantalising glimpse" into the early season's tone and narrative approach. He observed that it presented a subdued crime story with minimal ties to the later fantasy components of the series. Aldgate labeled it a "thick-ear melodrama," marked by underworld environments and dialogue rich in slang. He also pointed out that at this stage, Steed and Dr. Keel functioned more like amateur sleuths. According to The Avengers Forever! website, some technical imperfections were noticeable, such as occasional camera disturbances, line flubs, and muffled sound affecting dialogue intelligibility. Despite these issues, Philip Locke received commendation for his compelling portrayal of a "shifty-eyed," formidable antagonist.