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.
Listen
to a short version of the 1967 Saint Theme.
The Saint (1962-1965)
Starring Roger Moore
In late 1961, Leslie Charteris finally sold the television rights to The Saint to producer Robert S. Baker, who teamed up
with Lew Grade of ITC to film 71 black and white episodes. These episodes were based on the books and short stories written by
Leslie Charteris, with additional material added by the screenwriters listed below including Harry Junkin. The show was well-received
by British audiences, but ITC could not find a network in the US to carry the show. ITC syndicated The Saint in the US, and it became
a huge hit, making it one of the most successful first-run syndicated shows in history.
1962 - Black and White
- The Talented Husband, screenplay by Jack Saunders
- The Latin Touch, screenplay by Gerald Kelsey and Dick Sharples
- The Careful Terrorist, screenplay by Gerald Kelsey and Dick Sharples
- The Covetous Headsman, screenplay by John Roddick
- The Loaded Tourist, screenplay by Richard Harris
- The Pearls of Peace, screenplay by Richard Harris
- The Element of Doubt, screenplay by Norman Borisoff
- The Arrow of God, screenplay by Julian Bond
- The Effete Angler, screenplay by Norman Borisoff
- The Golden Journey, screenplay by Lewis Davidson
- The Man who was Lucky, screenplay by John Gilling
- The Charitable Countess, screenplay by Gerald Kelsey and Dick Sharples
1963 - Black and White
- The Romantic Matron, screenplay by Larry Forrester
- The Invisible Millionaire, screenplay by Kenneth Hayles
- The Gentle Ladies, screenplay by John Graeme
- The Ever-Loving Spouse, screenplay by Norman Borisoff
- The Saint Sees it Through, screenplay by Ian Martin
- The Fellow Traveller, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- Starring the Saint, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- Judith, screenplay by Leonard Grahame
- Teresa, screenplay by John Kruse
- The Elusive Ellshaw, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- Marcia, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- The Work of Art, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- Iris, screenplay by Bill Strutton
- The King of the Beggars, screenplay by John Gilling
- The Rough Diamonds, screenplay by Bill Strutton
- The Saint Plays with Fire, screenplay by John Kruse
- The Benevolent Burglary, screenplay by Larry Forrester
- The Bunco Artists, screenplay by Lewis Davidson
1964 - Black and White
- The Well Meaning Mayor, screenplay by Robert Stewart
- The Sporting Chance, screenplay by John Kruse
- The Wonderful War, screenplay by John Graeme
- The Noble Sportsman, screenplay by John Graeme
- Luella, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- The Lawless Lady, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- The Good Medicine, screenplay by Norman Borisoff
- The High Fence, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- Sophia, screenplay by Robert Stewart
- The Miracle Tea Party, screenplay by Paddy Manning O'Brine
- Lida, screenplay by Terry Nation
- Jeannine, screenplay by Terry Nation
- The Scorpion, screenplay by Paul Erickson
- The Revolution Racket, screenplay by Terry Nation
- The Saint Steps In, screenplay by John Kruse
- The Loving Brothers, screenplay by John Graeme
- The Man who liked Toys, screenplay by Basil Dawson
- The Death Penalty, screenplay by Ian Stuart Black
- The Imprudent Politician, screenplay by Norman Hudis
- The Hi-jackers, screenplay by Paul Erickson
- The Unkind Philanthropist, screenplay by Marcus Demain
1965 - Black and White
- The Damsel in Distress, screenplay by Paul Erickson
- The Contract, screenplay by Terry Nation
- The Set-up, screenplay by Paddy Manning O'Brine
- The Inescapable Word, screenplay by Terry Nation
- The Rhine Maiden, screenplay by Brian Degas
- The Golden Frog, screenplay by Michael Cramoy
- The Sign of the Claw, screenplay by Terry Nation
- The Frightened Inn-Keeper, screenplay by Norman Hudis
- Sibao, screenplay by Terry Nation
- The Crime of the Century, screenplay by Terry Nation
- The Happy Suicide, screenplay by Brian Degas
- The Chequered Flag, screenplay by Norman Hudis
- The Crooked Ring, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- The Abductors, screenplay by Brian Degas
- The Smart Detective, screenplay by Michael Cramoy
- The Persistent Parasite, screenplay by Norman Hudis
- The Man Who Could Not Die, screenplay by Terry Nation
- The Saint Bids Diamonds, screenplay by Pat Lasky and Jesse Lasky Jr.
- The Spanish Cow, screenplay by Michael Cramoy
- The Old Treasure Story, screenplay by Ronald Duncan
The Saint (1966-1969)
Starring Roger Moore
With most of the original Charteris stories translated to the small screen, and the contract running down, ATV-ITC penned
a new contract to continue the series, in color, and with newly created stories that Charteris had the right to request any changes
he wanted. The producers had to submit the stories to Charteris, but unfortunately they were not legally obligated to take
any of his advice -- advice that they were paying him a steep consulting fee for.
Along with the new contract came a deal with NBC in America to show The Saint in network primetime. The color series lasted 41 episodes,
with many of the best being penned by John Kruse.
All of the color episodes in this series are available in DVD sets from A&E Home Entertainment.
1966 - Color
- Queen's Ransom, screenplay by Leigh Vance
- The House on Dragon's Rock, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- The Russian Prisoner, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- The Reluctant Revolution, screenplay by John Stanton
- The Helpful Pirate, screenplay by Roy Russell
- The Convenient Monster, screenplay by Terrence Feely
- The Angel's Eye, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- The Man Who Gambled With Life, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- The Man Who Liked Lions, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin (orginal story by Douglas Enfar)
- The Better Mousetrap, screenplay by Leigh Vance
- Little Girl Lost, screenplay by Leigh Vance
- Paper Chase, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
1967 - Color
- Flight Plan, screenplay by Alfred Shaughnessy and Anthony Squire
- Escape Route, screenplay by Michael Winder
- The Persistent Patriots, screenplay by Michael Pertwee
- The Fast Women, screenplay by Leigh Vance
- The Death Game, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin (story by John Kruse)
- The Art Collectors, screenplay by Michael Pertwee
- To Kill a Saint, screenplay by Michael Winder
- The Counterfeit Countess, screenplay by Philip Broadley
- Interlude in Venice, screenplay by Paddy Manning O'Brine
- Simon and Delilah, screenplay by C. Scott Forbes
- Island of Chance, screenplay by Leigh Vance
- The Gadget Lovers, screenplay by John Kruse
- Double in Diamonds, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin (story by Donald Ford and Derek Ford)
- The Power Artist, screenplay by John Kruse
- When Spring is Sprung, screenplay by Michael Pertwee
- The Gadic Collection, script supervision by Harry W. Junkin
- Legacy for the Saint, screenplay by Michael Winder
1968 - Color
- The Desperate Diplomat, screenplay by Terry Nation
- The Organisation Man, screenplay by Donald James
- The Double Take, screenplay by John Kruse
- The Fiction Makers, part 1, screenplay by John Kruse and Harry W. Junkin
- The Fiction Makers, part 2, screenplay by John Kruse and Harry W. Junkin
- The Time to Die, screenplay by Terry Nation
1969 - Color
- The Master Plan, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- The People Importers, screenplay by Donald James
- The Scales of Justice, screenplay by Robert Holmes
- Where the Money is, screenplay by Terry Nation
- The Ex-King of Diamonds, screenplay by John Kruse
- Vendetta for the Saint, part 1, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin and JohnKruse
- Vendetta for the Saint, part 2, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin and JohnKruse
- The Portrait of Brenda, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
- The World Beater, screenplay by Donald James
- Invitation to Danger, screenplay by Terry Nation
- The Best Laid Schemes, screenplay by Joseph Morhaim and A. SandfordWolf
- Locate and Destroy, screenplay by John Stanton
The Return of The Saint (1978-1979)
Starring Ian Ogilvy
In the late 1970's ITC decided to renew the Saint and continue the series. Robert Baker proposed a "Son of the Saint"
solution to the age problem, with Roger Moore appearing in various episodes as the new Saint's father. This was scrapped,
and Ian Ogilvy took over the halo for 24 episodes as Simon Templar. The show featured very high-quality production values, and was
shot on location all over the world. People still saw the Saint as Roger Moore, and while some were beginning to accept Ian Ogilvy
in the role, the show was cut short before he had a chance to turn the majority to his rendition.
1978 - Color
- The Judas Game, screenplay by Morris Farhi
- The Nightmare Man, screenplay by John Kruse
- Duel in Venice, screenplay by John Kruse
- One Black September, screenplay by John Goldsmith
- The Village that Sold its Soul, screenplay by John Goldsmith
- Assault Force, screenplay by Morris Farhi
- Yesterday's Hero, screenplay by John Kruse (story by Roger Parks)
- The Arrangement, screenplay by Anthony Terpiloff
- The Poppy Chain, screenplay by John Kruse
- The Armageddon Alternative, screenplay by Terence Feeley
- The Imprudent Professor, screenplay by Terence Feeley
- Signal Stop, screenplay by John Kruse
- The Roman Touch, screenplay by John Goldsmith
- Tower Bridge is Falling Down, screenplay by Leon Griffiths
- The Debt Collectors, screenplay by George Markstein
1979 - Color
- Collision Course: The Brave Goose, screenplay by John Kruse
- Collision Course: The Sixth Man, screenplay by John Kruse
- Hot Run, screenplay by Tony Williamson
- The Murder Cartel, screenplay by John Goldsmith
- The Obono Affair, screenplay by Michael Pertwee
- Vicious Circle, screenplay by John Goldsmith
- Dragonseed, screenplay by John Kruse
- Appointment in Florence, screenplay by Philip Broadley
- The Diplomat's Daughter, screenplay by Michael Pertwee
The Saint in Manhattan (1987)
Starring Andrew Clarke
Robert Baker still believed in the Saint, and decided to give it another go with Australian Andrew Clarke
in the lead role. He teamed with D.L. Taffner Ltd., to produce a one-hour pilot episode that aired on CBS.
The show did not make
the fall schedule; instead, CBS decided to show it and have viewers call in and vote to put it on the schedule. About 44,000 people
called in, with over 40,000 of them voting in favor of the show. These numbers did not sway CBS, especially since the show did not
fair well against whatever was playing on the other two networks that night, and it declined to purchase any
future episodes.
1987 - Color
- The Saint in Manhattan, screenplay by Peter Gethers and David Handler
The Saint (1989)
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.
1989 - Color
- The Brazilian Connection, screenplay by Anthony Horowitz
- The Blue Dulac, screenplay by Peter Palliser
- The Software Murders, screenplay by Peter Palliser
- The Big Bang, screenplay by John Goldsmith
- Wrong Number, screenplay by John Goldsmith
- Fear in Fun Park, screenplay by Patricia Johnson
The Saint (2013)
Starring Adam Rayner
After the Val Kilmer movie in 1997, Roger Moore bought the rights to remake a television series. After many years of
rumors, reported stars, and scripts, the new show finally came together in 2012. Shooting began in late December 2012 with
Adam Rayner as the new Simon Templar. The show includes a role for both Roger Moore, and Ian Ogilvy (of The Return of the Saint),
so it is clear that the Producers are keeping The Saint very close to his roots.
2013 - Color
- The Saint, screenplay by Jesse Alexander
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