The Saint ( Volvo P1800 ) 1962
The Saint
The Saint was an ITC mystery spy thriller television series that aired in the UK on ITV between 1962 and 1969. It centred on the Leslie Charteris literary character Simon Templar, played by Roger Moore as a suave and sophisticated Robin Hood-like adventurer.
Theme Tune
Anna Carteret was born on December 11, 1942 in Bangalore, India as Annabelle Susan Wilkinson. She is an actress, known for Poirot (1989), The Plank (1967) and Juliet Bravo (1980). She was previously married to Christopher Morahan.
Cast
Roger Moore … Simon Templar 118 episodes, 1962-1969
Ivor Dean … Inspector Teal / … 24 episodes, 1963-1969
Leslie Crawford … Chauffer / … 9 episodes, 1965-1969
Trivia
Early episodes included the gimmick of having Sir Roger Moore speak directly to the audience. Later, this was replaced by narration. In one early episode, an old woman guesses Templar’s name … she says his name must be James Bond. Sir Roger Moore, of course, later went on to play James Bond 007.
The engine was the B18 (B for the Swedish word for gasoline: Bensin; 18 for 1800 cc displacement) with dual SU carburettors, producing 100 hp (75 kW). This variant (named B18B) had a higher compression ratio than the slightly less powerful twin-carb B18D used in the contemporary Amazon 122S, as well as a different camshaft. The ‘new’ B18 was actually developed from the existing B36 V8 engine used in Volvo trucks at the time. This cut production costs, as well as furnishing the P1800 with a strong engine boasting five main crankshaft bearings. The B18 was matched with the new and more robust M40 manual gearbox through 1963.
The Saint stars Roger Moore as Simon Templar. The fictional detective and thief was created by Leslie Charteris in the 1920s and featured in many novels and novellas over the years. Moore drove a white Volvo P1800 on the show with a license plate reading ‘ST1’. He was reportedly offered the role of 007 at least twice during the run of the series, but had to turn it down both times owing to his television commitments. In one early episode of the series, a character actually mistakes Templar for Bond.
Trivia
A version of the car story seen elsewhere says that Jaguar were indeed requested to supply the (then new) E type as an ideal ‘typically British’ steed for Simon Templar, also typically British in the early sixties, Jaguar were bedeviled with strikes and parts supply, and could not deliver on time. Commencement date was looming and finally Roger Moore volunteered his personal car, the now famed Volvo P1800,
Trivia
The series was sold to sixty-three countries, and garnered over three hundred fifty million pounds in profits.
Info
| Producer | Roger Moore |
|---|---|
| Running time | 49–51 minutes |
| Production companies | Tempean Films(B/W) Bamore (colour) |
| Distributor | Independent Television Corporation |
| Release | |
| Original network | ITV |
| Picture format | 35 mm 4:3 Black and white (first 71 episodes) Colour (last 47 episodes) |
| Audio format | Mono |
| Original release | 4 October 1962 – 9 February 1969 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | Return of the Saint |
Trivia
In a foreshadowing of things to come, Lois Maxwell, who played Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond films, made two guest spots. Maxwell and Sir Roger Moore were classmates at R.A.D.A.
QUIZ 1
Which of these Is Not a Roger Moore 007 Bond Movie ?
A. The Spy Who Loved Me
B. The Man with the Golden Gun
C. A View to a Kill
D. The Living Daylights
Press for Answer
D. The Living Daylights
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QUIZ 2
Where was the Saint TV series filmed ?
A. Warner Bros Studio’s
B. Pinewood Studio’s
C. Elstree Studio’s
D. MGM Studio’s
Press for Answer
C. Elstree Studio’s
Scroll Down for More
QUIZ 1
Which of these Is Not a Roger Moore 007 Bond Movie ?
A. The Spy Who Loved Me
B. The Man with the Golden Gun
C. A View to a Kill
D. The Living Daylights
1977 The Spy Who Loved Me (Roger Moore)
1974 The Man with the Golden Gun (Roger Moore)
1985 A View to a Kill (Roger Moore)
1987 The Living Daylights (Timothy Dalton)
Sir Roger George Moore was an English actor best known for playing British secret agent James Bond in seven feature films from 1973 to 1985, beginning with Live and Let Die.
His most notable television role was playing the main character, Simon Templar, in the British television series The Saint from 1962 to 1969.
QUIZ 2
Where was the Saint TV series filmed ?
A. Warner Bros Studio’s
B. Pinewood Studio’s
C. Elstree Studio’s
D. MGM Studio’s
The whole series was shot at Associated British Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, with very few scenes shot on location elsewhere.
In 1974, Andrew Mitchell took over from Ian Scott as managing director of the studios but was almost immediately told to close the facility.
The studio’s immediate survival was secured through the facilities being used for Star Wars (1977).
This led to subsequent Lucas productions such as the Star Wars sequels and Indiana Jones franchise being made at Elstree and also brought in directors Steven Spielberg and Jim Henson.
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