FRIDAY – THERAPY ZONE
Meaningful Dialogue
Which Could Sum-Up The General Public's View Of McGoohan & the Prisoner
No.2 “Certainly a great pleasure.”
And the committee member's comment echoes the thoughts of the television viewer, "We're not quite sure what it means."
Arrival
It has often been the question of discussion and debate as to which side runs the Village, and on whose side the Prisoner is. During the interview with the new No.2 one of those questions are clearly answered.
"I'm on our side" the Prisoner tells No.2, clearly the same side as that of the Village Administration.
The Key To The Door
The Butler
Now here at the start of ‘Fall Out’ we discover that the Butler now has the key to the door leading out, or in, depending on which side of the door you are standing, to leave or enter the village. So where did the Butler Butlers Butler
Just goes to show, that there is more to the Butler
A Sense Of Humour
Even in the bleak episode that is ‘The Schizoid Man’ as Number 6 fights to maintain his identity, there are moments of humour. For example when Number 6 meets his doppelganger for the first time "Are you one of those double agents we hear so much about?" And again "Where'd they get you? A people's copying service?" And prior to visiting Number 12 after he has regained "himself" Number 6 asserts "I think it's time we paid ourselves a call."
Number 6 has a ready wit, and a dry sense of humour, and as we know "Humour is the very essence of a democratic society."
Robert Rietty The Voice Behind The Man
It has been observed that despite Patrick Cargill being the No.2 of ‘Hammer Into Anvil,’ the voice we here during the dialogue between No.2 and the Prisoner during the opening sequence is not actually Patrick Cargill's voice, but that of Robert Rietty who performed many a voice-over in both television and film.
But if you observe the dialogue between No.2 and the Prisoner in other opening sequences, such as ‘The Schizoid Man,’ you will have observed that the voice of No.2 isn't that of Anton Rogers, but again its the voice of Robert Rietty.
So why do some episodes have the actors own voice in that dialogue between No.2 and the Prisoner in the opening sequence, where other’s do not? Probably it was a question of time, oh time that was it was it? Indeed, it became more time worthy to have Robert Rietty record a voice-over with Patrick McGoohan, and then use that for the majority of opening sequences.
Be seeing you
Humour the "very essence of a democratic society". Hmm. I've always wondered how somebody could have come across that downright idiosyncratic line. It is heard only once in The Prisoner, from the mouth of No. 2. And it aligns perfectly with the devaluation of words and meaning, the significant and the signifier, of spoken language in general. A strategy establishing a direct connection between The Prisoner and Orwell's 1984.
ReplyDeleteThere is the truth about the subversive power of humour, why almost any dictatorship would ban works of art that might come using too much of overt or hidden humour. Last but not least, mind you, the episode in question, "Free For All", was one of 4 neither dubbed nor screened initially in Germany in 1969. Humour and democracy? He, what's the one got to do with the other...? Don't bother us busy Germans with such incomprhensible stuff. Perhaps it was too much for post-war Germany and its new-found democratic rituals, no one being able to relate to this line. So, eventually the episode was dropped. Speculating, of course. - BCNU!
Hello Arno,
DeleteA very interesting comment. In my researches into 'the Prisoner' I've been unable to find the quote from 'Free for All' used anywhere else, nor can I find an origin for the quote "Humour is the very essence of a democratic society," so I can only assume that 'the Prisoner' series is it's origin.
I suppose the meaning might be that humour is allowed in a democratic society. I believe the NAZI party in Germany in the 1930's banned satirical comedy, because humour, especially satirical humour can make anything look ridiculous. By poking fun at something through humour, you can break it down, and see it for what it really is. And that includes a dictatorship. I've probably not put that very well. but it's the only explanation I can arrive at.
Kind regards
David
BCNU
Humour and dictatorship isn't something going together particularly well. Right. That line has always appeared a bit odd to me. Although it is by no means intelligible. Because, normally one wouldn't relate humour and democracy within the same breath of air, associate humour as a quintessential element of democracy, would you. Isn't it free elections rather, freedom of choice?
ReplyDeleteIn the context of the German version I was trying to hint at the fact that you don't have to revert to dictatorship in order to see that and why such a statement - perhaps - was considered something insubordinate by those responsible for the TV schedule at the time. After all, nobody would have liked the new German democratic structure spoiled. But it will probably never be proved if my assumption is right. - BCNU!
Hello Arno,
DeleteYou are right of course, free elections is a freedom of choice. Here in Great Britain when there are elections, humour is an element of the democratic process, as the 'Monster Raving Loony party' might say. The 'Monster Raving Loony Party' has a variety of candidates standing in a number of constituences in General elections. Oh they've never won a seat, but they hold their right to stand for election. Many of course do not take the 'Monster Raving Loony Pary' seriously, I'm not sure they take themselevs seriously. But they do add humour to the elections here in Great Britain.
In fact three of the 'Raving Loony Parties' policies which everyone scoffed at at the time have become law. One was reducing the voting age from 21 to 18, another was passports for pets, and all day pub openings.
Yet in the confines of the Village, perhaps humour and dictatorship do not go hand in glove. In the end everyone votes for a dictator, Number 6 himself admitted as much himself. And yet, even 'he' turned out to be no better, trying to force the citizens to obey him, and force his kind of freedom upon the citizens.
Kind Regards
David
BCNU
Indeed I wasn't quite sure but the No. 2 line "Humour the very essence of a democratic society." is included in the German version: "Humor ist das Wesen einer demokratischen Gesellschaft." Which is a pretty literal translation. - BCNU!
ReplyDelete