3: What are "Danger Man" and "Secret Agent"? (The Prisoner)
Description
This article is from the The Prisoner FAQ, by Patrick LoPresti patl@lcs.mit.edu with numerous contributions by others.
3: What are "Danger Man" and "Secret Agent"? (The Prisoner)
"Danger Man" was the name a series about the secret agent John
Drake (played by Patrick McGoohan), a man who preferred to use his
intellect to resolve situations. He did not carry a gun, nor did
he get involved with every woman he met. McGoohan played a large
role in shaping Drake's character, which was a specific reaction
against the "James Bond" types popular in cinema and television at
the time. Drake had a conscience; the moral conflicts of his job
were a major theme in the series.
The shows were 30 minutes black and white. Later on, the series
was filmed as 60 minute black and white "Secret Agent" episodes.
There were also two color "Secret Agent" episodes filmed, but they
were never released as part of the series. They were later edited
together, however, to produce a 100 minute TV movie called
"Koroshi".
(Note: The mixed up "puzzle" letters that appear in the closing
credits of some episodes of "Secret Agent" unscramble to spell
"Danger Man".)
Patrick McGoohan conceived the concept for "The Prisoner" while
filming some episodes of "Danger Man" in Portmeirion (the
Village). There is also a "Secret Agent" episode about a
"village" of agents training to become imposters that was used as
part of the idea for "The Prisoner" (this is the show where he
hides a camera in a typewriter). Many of the actors in "Danger
Man" and "Secret Agent" also appear in "The Prisoner".
There is some debate on whether "The Prisoner" is a sequel to
"Danger Man". To call the disagreement violent would be a gross
understatement. For more information, watch "The Prisoner", then
refer to Volume II of this FAQ [not written yet - Pat].
Opening Lyrics - Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers
Written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri
There's a man who leads a life of danger
To everyone he meets, he stays a stranger
With every move he makes, another chance he takes
Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow.
Secret Agent Man, Secret Agent Man
They've given you a number and taken away your name.
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