I suppose this could be classified as an ‘out of the archive’ piece, because it was a few years ago when I was asked a few years ago now, why is it some people who worked on ‘the Prisoner’ remember more than others? Well because some were more involved much more than others, or had a bigger role to play than other actors and actresses. And those who recall very little about actually appearing in the series, like actor Victor Madden, the Brass band Leader in the episode ‘Hammer Into Anvil’ who couldn't remember being in the series at all!
Yet the same question was always asked of those who had appeared in the seires, "If offered a part in the film remake of the Prisoner would you take it?" the answer ranges from "Yes, of course" to "I'd kill for it!" And why was the question continually asked? Because ever since 1984 there had been continuous talks and rumour of a Hollywood remake of the Prisoner. In fact when Frank Ratcliffe, International Publicity Consultant for ITC Entertainment Group Ltd attended the 1994 Prisoner convention at Portmeirion he assured the gathered fans there, that a cinema production of ‘the Prisoner’ would proceed in 1995. Well a film didn't go into production, either in 1995, 96 or even in 1997, and it was always the same old story from Mr. Frank Ratcliffe who had become quite embarrassed about keeping up the same announcement. So I suppose one can understand the feeling of quite disbelief on the side of fans of ‘the Prisoner’ when it comes to the proposed new television Prisoner series and that of the Hollywood remake of the series. they have heard it all before, and won't believe it until it finally happens, which some hope it never will.
Of course when it comes to either a television remake of Hollywood film of the Prisoner it would be good if the casting director was made aware of some of the original cast members who would like to make themselves available, which would be good because then the link between what has gone and what is to come will have been maintained, with the likes of previous cast members;
George Baker - Anton Rogers - Norma west - Earl Cameron - Peter Howell - Derren Nesbitt - Jane Merrow - Wanda Ventham - Donald Sinden - Peter Bowles - Sheila Allen - Kathleen Kath - Christopher Benjamin - Peter Wyngarde - John Castle and can I add Patrick McGoohan to the list in a cameo role?
Indeed it was rumoured that Patrick McGoohan submitted a script for a remake of the Prisoner, but that Hollywood producers had thrown it in the bin!!!! Well the trouble with Hollywood today is, that it has to be all blood and guts with very little else. And if you know how McGoohan writes you can probably understand why his script was rejected by the producers which doesn't surprise me in the least, well not judging by the way of McGoohan's attitude and how he spoke during the infamous LA Tape made in the 1980's, in which McGoohan, whilst strolling along a Californian beach, picked up a wire coat hanger and holding the said wire coat hanger aloft said "In this Lies the answer." Sorry Pat, but I watched, well to be actually correct, I fast-forward through that infamous LA Tape and even then found it unbearably boring and completely unwatchable as a whole tape.
As part of the LA Tape McGoohan said that if he'd he had the chance he would have done no more than 7 episodes;
Arrival {obviously} or Fall Out
Dance of the Dead Arrival
Free for All Dance of the Dead
Checkmate Free for All
The Chimes of Big Ben Checkmate
Once Upon a Time {has to be} Once Upon a Time
Fall Out {likewise} {my idea list arrangement}
But which of the remaining episodes would you choose to put between ‘Arrival’ and ‘Once Upon a Time/Fall Out?’
As for Patrick McGoohan's possible involvement, which many fans would like to see, well that's not going to happen. He would have to "toe the line" for one thing, and that's something McGoohan can never be accused of. the Prisoner television series might have been McGoohan's baby, and that of the late George Makstein, but "Universal" own the film rights to the Prisoner and therefore can do as they like, with David and Janet Webb Peoples writing the script.
On a different matter readers will have read of the missing scene 108 of ‘Dance of the Dead’ in Norma West's script. This is in regard to a dancing scene which would have featured at the end of the episode, where every guest at the Ball in the Town Hall would have held hands and danced around in a circle, hence ‘Dance of the Dead.’ the episode has been commented upon as being the most surreal of’ the Prisoner’ episodes, and that may be true, but it also deals with the question of death and should have been a much darker episode than the finished article turned out. For example the doctor-No.40 was to have been filmed burying one of his failed experiments, another missing scene, and don't forget poor Walter Roland Dutton who was a mere shell of his former self by the time of the Ball, at the medical experimental hands of the doctor, that evening. Not as though his brainwashed state of mind was enough, there had then been a termination order set against Dutton, as was due to die!
Be seeing you
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