Well that's what No.2 asked No.6 over the phone in ‘Once Upon A Time.’ So why does he care, why should any of us care? Perhaps because if we do not, then we shall all seal the fate of both ourselves and this planet upon which we live.
If No.6/Mcgoohan is struggling to regain his freedom from a world that strongly resembles our own world, only to see it as a prison, while we do not, then perhaps he should be taken for mad!
Even in the village No.6 enjoyed a certain freedom. He was looked after, he was healthy despite the drugs used on him in trying to extract the reason for his resignation. He ate well, he didn't have to work which in itself must give him some status in the village. He enjoyed a comfortable home, had a personal maid to look after him and his home. He interacted with other citizens of the community, and at times he actually joined in!
If prison is a state of mind, I dare not think what state of mind No.6/McGoohan's mind was in at the time of the Prisoner. Certainly by the time McGoohan was interviewed for the infamous L.A. Tape he had completely lost the plot to my way of thinking. Well who else could read so much into an old coat hanger he, supposedly, found just lying on the beach? I don't wish Ill
Be seeing you.
Hello David
ReplyDeleteIn the Amercan press interviews with Mr. McGoohan seems to show a much happier man as he was closer than ever to his family. He had a personal and family retreat in Montana, that also acted as a chance to work the land as a farm.
He was able to work with his wife in real estate and use his carpenter skills and seemed to work with people of his own preference.
There was talk of Oscars for several of his performances and Emmy awards for his television work. His stint on Broadway was highly lauded.
His time with his family seemed his true source of joy in life.
The LA tape is both informative, enjoyable and pure McGoohan. It completely counters the bitter rambling interview of Mr. Markstein.
Sincerely
Mr. Anonymous
Hello Mister Anonymous,
DeleteFor myself, and several others who have watched that infamous L.A.Tape, we found it disappointing. In fact I became bored with it, and I was not alone in that.
I always thought it a pity McGoohan didn't play the Hollywood game, then perhap he might have enjoyed a better film carreer in America. I've often wondered what was in McGoohan's mind when he chose some of the films to appear in. I think McGoohan picked up one Emmy Award, but never an Oscar.
As for his married life, well marraiges in general have their ups and downs. Perhaps in that respect moving to America did them both good.
Regards
David
BCNU
The "LA Tape" was a quirky joke, not intended to mean any moor than it was. I found it amusing, but it meant only what I wanted it to mean.
ReplyDeleteThe interview McGoohan gave originally as part of that Channel 4 presentation was perfectly lucid and plain. He appeared to have second thoughts about it, after giving it and tried to withdraw his permission for it to be shown. This might be related to something he said at the very end of it, where he ruminates about whether he should be "explaining" his Prisoner show, because this automatically would limit it's possibilities of meaning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_DRXAf0iGI&feature=related
He looks perfectly content otherwise.. :-)
McGoohan commented once or twice about *the fans* but it must have been difficult for him to embrace their organisation who appeared to claim in their many analyses and later books that he stole George Markstein's ideas and then swindled Ralph Smart out of his Royalties for the John Drake character. Judge not, lest thou be judged perhaps. BcNu
Hell David and Moor
ReplyDeleteMr. McGoohan considered himself a working actor, by his own description. He worked as a matter of choice as did some of his peers. For example Mr. Sean Connery preferred his performance in the film The Man Who Would Be King over any of his James Bond roles much as Mr.McGoohan enjoyed his work on The Prisoner and Columbo above some of his earlier film work.
Mr. McGoohan had the support of his peers in many of his film, television and stage performances. There is documented Oscar buzz for his role in Ice Station Zebra, Alcatraz and Braveheart, there was talk among his peers of a Tony for his successful run on Broadway in Pack of Lies. He won multiple awards for his work in television.
Below is an example of how his fellow actor Mr. Peter Falk thought of his friend, Mr. McGoohan:
"Watching Falk work is a rich experience, the precision of every move, every gesture as Columbo, the obvious love he has for the character. It's hard to think he'd give him up and retire that raincoat among his Emmys and other trophies. "Well, as far as the series is concerned, that's over," Pete Falk said. "But McGoohan has come up with a story about Columbo's wife that intrigues me. Maybe we'll do it as a special. NBC is willing." Columbo brought McGoohan, once TV's Secret Agent, back to television last season and he won an Emmy playing a stiffnecked commandant of a military school. Lately, McGoohan has both directed and performed on the show. His wild Irish ideas of what Columbo should be like enchant Falk. "Pat sees Columbo on a bigger canvas than we've ever played him," Falk said. "He sees the Sahara shimmering like in 'Lawrence of Arabia' and Columbo riding out of the haze on a camel. Columbo asks: 'Which way to Mecca?' The Bedouin points. As Columbo rides off, he turns back and yells: 'Where is the nearest oasis?' "Pat would have Columbo turn up in different corners of the earth to solve murders, a global detective.That way, we might go on another 10 years—doing one a year."
The 'ideas' that Mr. McGoohan came up with created the basis for the later television films based on the Columbo character that led to more Emmy producing work ( including for Mr. McGoohan).
Mr. McGoohan seemed happiest with his family and when working with is chosen peers. His work as George Bernard Shaw in 'The Best Of Friends' remained a personal favorite of Mr. McGoohan's wife and himself.
Here are is a list of his awards:
1960 Won BAFTA TV Award Best Actor
Emmy Awards YearResultAwardCategory/Recipient(s) 1990 Won Emmy Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
for: "Columbo" (1971).
(ABC).
For playing "Oscar Finch".
For episode "Agenda for Murder (#9.3)".
1975 Won Emmy Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series
for: "Columbo" (1971).
(NBC).
For episode "By Dawn's Early Light (#4.3)".
Sincerely
Mr. Anonymous
Hello Mister Anonymous,
DeleteIt has to be said that Patrick McGoohan and Peter Falk had a genuine rapport. They were very good friends, and worked well together both in front of the camera, and with McGoohan as director.
I remember watching "Best of Friends" with McGoohan as George Bernard Shaw at the time it was first shown on British television. I was amazed at how well McGoohan had been made up to resemble George Bernard Shaw so closely.
Regards
David
BCNU