Tag Archives: leo mckern

Jul 11

“Mouse” debrief

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Well, I have to say I enjoyed the movie version of “The Mouse That Roared.” There were definitely some differences from the book — I am certain that in the book, Tully did not realize he was supposed to lose. In the movie, he seems aware of the fact (but not so convinced that he turns down an opportunity to win).

I was delighted to see the great British character actor Leo McKern (“Rumpole of the Bailey,” “The Prisoner”) in the movie, as well as William Hartnell.

Who is William Hartnell, you say?

He certainly is.

William Hartnell was the original 1963 incarnation of “Doctor Who.” I have only seen very brief snippets of him in that role; he was surely removed from the second-banana character he plays in “The Mouse That Roared.”

Anyway, I enjoyed the movie, and would recommend you catch it the next time TCM shows it.

Jan 07

Be seeing you online

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Remember last year, when I blithered on and on about how much I loved my boxed DVD set of “The Prisoner”?

Well, AMC — in preparation for the James Caviezel / Ian McKellen remake which they will air later this year — has now put every episode of the original series online. If you haven’t seen it, or haven’t seen it in a while, I suggest you go and check it out.

Better yet, here’s one of the best episodes right here, with Leo “Rumpole of the Bailey” McKern as Number 2:

Jun 18

Prisoner geekery

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A few weeks ago, while waiting for my boxed set of “The Prisoner” to arrive, I posted a YouTube clip of the opening credits. But I found a better clip. The earlier clip was of the extended opening credits from the very first episode. The new clip is both shorter and longer.

You see, except for that first episode, and a few other episodes with weird formatting, “The Prisoner” had two different credit sequences. There was one sequence which showcased Patrick McGoohan’s name and the title of the series, and it ends with McGoohan’s character being gassed.

The second credit sequence, which I think (but am not sure) aired after the first commercial break, introduced the title and guest cast for that week’s episode. This is the part of the credits which featured the dialogue between Number Six and Number Two. The dialogue would be the same each week, but the voice of Number Two would change, because there was a different one almost every week. Most weeks, you would catch a glimpse of Number Two during the credits, except for one episode where there was a dramatic reason to keep Number Two’s identity a secret.

This YouTube clip shows you the whole thing, both credit sequences, from “The Chimes of Big Ben.” This episode featured Leo McKern as Number Two; he appeared in this episode but then returned for the last two episodes in the series, making him the most-frequently-appearing Number Two. You may remember Mr. McKern better from his years as “Rumpole of the Bailey.”

May 22

Be seeing you…

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“Where am I?”
“In the Village.”
“What do you want?”
“Information.”
“Whose side are you on?”
“That would be telling. We want information. Information. Information!”
“You won’t get it.”
“By hook or by crook, we will!”
“Who are you?”
“I am Number Two.”
“Who is Number One?”
“You are Number Six.”
“I am not a number … I am a free man!”

The Prisoner Complete Series Megaset

In all honesty, I’d only seen a few individual episodes of “The Prisoner” before buying my complete series DVD mega-set. And I remember as a child seeing the big white balloon and being both fascinated and frightened by it. But I knew from everything I’d read and seen that I would enjoy it — and I am enjoying it.

I’m now passing the discs I’ve already watched along to my father, who was a fan of the show from the beginning.

It’s a great, creative idea, combined with good storytelling and a great lead performance by Patrick McGoohan. And all of the various people who play Number Two are great, including Leo McKern, who was so wonderful as “Rumpole of the Bailey.”