Simon Dutton

Actor who played Simon Templar, alias The Saint, on Television

The Saint

Starring Simon Dutton

In 1989 the Saint was once again welcomed back to television in six 2-hour movies featuring Simon Dutton as Simon Templar, alias the Saint. D.L. Taffner Ltd., produced the episodes as part of The Mystery Wheel of Adventure, a series of ten new made-for-TV movies. Bob Baker was involved as a consultant to the series, but Charteris' expertise was not utilized and his criticisms were ignored. Of the ten rotating episodes on Mystery Wheel, only six of them were The Saint, all starring Simon Dutton as Simon Templar. In the UK the Saint episodes were shown as a standalone series on the ITV Network.

D.L. Taffner Press Release

"The Saint," a series of six two-hour, action-packed adventure movies is guaranteed to keep audiences engaged. Simon Dutton stars as the suave, debonair, ladies man, Simon Templar - alias, The Saint - who regularly finds himself in exotic locations embroiled in love, mystery and intrigue.

Six two-hour movies include: THE BRAZILIAN CONNECTION. In broad daylight a baby is abducted from her pram in London's Knightsbridge. Hot on the trail, The Saint uncovers an underground ring of black-market baby brokers which spans three continents.

THE BLUE DULAC. Against the romantic backdrop of Paris, a priceless blue sapphire, once the possession of the Russian Czars, is the bait to trap a murderer and thief who mixes with the cream of high society.

FEAR IN FUN PARK. The Saint arrives in Australia to investigate the strange disappearance of the daughter of a Chinese client. The trail leads to suspicious goings-on at an amusement park involving blackmail, a Hong Kong syndicate, an old girlfriend and murder.

THE SOFTWARE MURDERS. Three of the world's most prominent scientists have died - all of them in freak accidents. Could it be just coincidence or is there a more sinister plot brewing? Enlisting the aid of a beautiful scientist to entice the deadly villains, The Saint begins to unravel the puzzle.

THE BIG BANG. A millionaires appears to have committed suicide in her Paris apartment, but The Saint trusts his instincts that this is not an open and shut case. At stake is Grainville Electronics, a large corporation, and a power struggle to take control.

WRONG NUMBER. While enjoying a discreet weekend with a girlfriend in Berlin, the Saint receives a call in his hotel room, clearly put through in error. What he hears ensnares him into the high-risk world of espionage and international terrorism.

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The History of The Saint on TV

The Saint was finally adapted for television in 1962, with Roger Moore portraying the Saint in 71 black and white, and 47 color episodes. The show came to an end in 1969, but later resurfaced in 1979, aptly named The Return of The Saint. Ian Ogilvy was the new Saint for 24 color episodes, but didn't last long. A pilot for a new Saint show was made in 1987 by D.L. Taffner, starring Andrew Clarke as The Saint. There were no other episodes other than the one pilot episode. Then, in 1989 the Saint was once again welcomed back to television in six 2-hour movies featuring Simon Dutton as Simon Templar, alias the Saint. The Saint returned again to the small screen in 2013, with Adam Rayner in the starring role.

Other Actors Who've Played The Saint

Portrals of Simon Templar on Film in Movie Motion Pictures:

Louis Hayward, George Sanders, Hugh Sinclair, Jean Marais, and Val Kilmer

The Saint Radio shows on Old-Time Radio:

Vincent Price, Barry Sullivan, Brian Aherne, Edgar Barrier, Felix Marten, Lawrence Dobkin, Paul Rhys, Terence De Marney, Tom Conway, and Tom Meehan

Actors who played The Saint on Television TV Programs:

Roger Moore, Ian Ogilvy, Andrew Clarke, Simon Dutton, and Adam Rayner

Starring as The Saint in Photoplay:

Leslie Charteris