Information and Observation
Here are more observations and information for your enjoyment which I didn't have time to include last time.
In the standard version of 'The Chimes of Big Ben,' less is known of Fotheringay than in the 'alternative' version. Whilst he is on the telephone to someone, we don't know who, he reveals that he and the Prisoner were not just professional colleagues, but that they were also at school together.
Few episodes introduce the haunting aspect as strongly as 'A B and C.' The empty, echoing, streets gives the impression of East Berlin . And it is through the very same door that led the Prisoner to those streets, that he eventually returns to the village. The apparition of the mysterious figure at the end of the street
The white membranic mass of the village guardian is named twice in this episode, by No.6 "No.6 is dead. Rover got him." And No.2 "De-activate Rover immediately." But then at no other time in any of the episodes, before or after, do we here this thing called by name. Exactly how No.6 knew to call the village guardian by name is unknown.
Presumably the episode of ‘The Schizoid Man’ occurs before that of ‘Many Happy Returns,’ as the date of the newspaper The Tally Ho is Feb 10th,, because the Prisoner returns to London
It has been said that with the episode of ‘The Schizoid Man’ that the attention to detail has never been more apparent, in the case of the penny farthing on the soda siphon. Well during ‘Many Happy Returns’ we have 'Village film' on the roll of film in No.6 possession. 'Village cooking oil', and 'village darning needles.'
The book on the lap of Curtis-No.12 when he is lying on the bed holding a gas gun in his hand as No.6 pays him a call. The book is entitled "The Home-Coming" by Leonard Barnes. This came out under the banner of Peter Davis, a publishing firm which no longer exists.
No.6 was over charged at the kiosk when he was giving his add for the personal column in the Tally Ho newspaper. He was charged for 9 words, but there were only 8 'Y mas mal in aldea que se suens' 'there is more harm in the village than is dreamt.'
There are three 'Orbit Tubes' inside the rocket, designated 48, 2, the third is undesignated, but no doubt was intended for No.6 after his meeting with No.1. Oh and there was a forth, for No.1 no doubt.
There were two Princess hearses used in the filming of the Prisoner, the one with the registration 289 ALW, and the other TLH 858.
The Trivia……
Yes, I've been given a new column and you might think this to be something of a triviality, the content, not the column. But there is nothing as important than trivialities as they help make up the bigger picture.
M.S. Polotska, her real name being 'Breda Dunkirk
The village enjoys a milk delivery, as an empty milk bottle can be seen on the doorstep of 6 private.
The face of the late comedian Bob Monkhouse can be seen on a photographic poster upon the door of the photographic shop 'World Cameras' in 'Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling.'
The Gypsy seen with the Whippet on the South Downs during the Prisoners escape of 'Many Happy Returns,' is also Mexican Sam of Living In Harmony.
How many technicians does it take to operate the pair of doors to No.2's office? Well during the filming of Village Day it took 6, 3 per door.
The room from which the medic appears during the 'Dance of the Dead,' handing Duttons termination order to No.6, is actually an electrical switch gear room.
Number 6 is the first perfect number, if your interests incline in that direction.
During the interview with No.6 by No.113 during the electoral period of Free For All, the taxi passes the same buildings twice before it reaches the Town Hall.
The Bell Ten helicopter piloted by 'The Girl Who Was Death,' takes off and lands in the same field.
The Kid actually beats The Man With No Name to the draw!
The town of Harmony MGM film studios at Elstree.
The taxi ride which the Prisoner takes on the morning of his arrival in the Village, makes no sense whatsoever, well not when you get to know Portmeirion. I suppose it all boils down to how the film was cut and edited in the cutting room.
Be seeing you
The taxi ride... We talked about that some time ago, didn't we. Your ride, no: you're right, it hardly makes sense to anyone who knows the place. But there's one thing I admire about this piece of footage. It's the way how in these 40 seconds our little spot is filmicly magnified to the point of appearing much, indeterminably larger than it acutally is. It comes only as a notion, a feeling not by what can be seen during the ride. At least this applies to me. This sequence is great. - BCNU!
ReplyDeleteHello Arno,
DeleteYes indeed we did talk about that before. As you say it is a great sequence. But what I like to look for in 'the Prisoner, ' is where unused seconds of film footage of the taxi ride sequence is used in other episodes. It would seem that originally that taxi ride was to have been much longer than it is. No doubt it was too long, as the original 90 minute episode of 'Arrival' was cut to 50 minutes.
If the viewer has never been to Portmeirion, as I had not been until 1988, then the viewer will not realise that the taxi driver is covering the same streets and paths over and over, and in two directions!
Very kind regards
David
BCNU