"Return of the Saint" The Obono Affair (TV Episode 1979) Poster

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6/10
The Obono Affair
Prismark1022 July 2023
Written by Michael Pertwee, the inspiration for the story very much seems to be Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.

President Obono (Thomas Baptiste) is the ruthless despot of an African nation, where opposition is brutally dealt with.

Obono has many enemies and on a visit to London, Simon Templar thwarts an assassination attempt on him, even though he finds Obono distasteful.

Later when Obono's son Joey (Paul J Medford) is kidnapped. The Saint reluctantly helps. Teaming up with Colonel Dyson, Obono's head of security he tracks down all those opposed to the president.

It is a kind of story where the Saint trusts no one. Dyson has his own agenda even having an affair with Mora, the president's daughter.

With several twists and turns the culprit is rather obvious.

The episode has a host of familiar names such as Paul Barber, Robert Gillespie, Paul J Medford and Oscar James. The latter two played father and son when Eastenders launched.
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9/10
The desperate dictator
ShadeGrenade21 March 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Another adventure where The Saint stays at home.

A ruthless African President called Obono ( Thomas Batiste ) is in London, and fears that attempts will be made on his life. He has hired someone to pose as a double, but thinking it won't be enough, wants Simon Templar to act as bodyguard. The Saint refuses.

Obono's young son Joey ( Paul J.Medford ) is kidnapped and unless his father releases political prisoners, will die. One of the kidnappers is Rose ( Marjje Lawrence ) who harbours a grudge against Obono after he expelled her years ago from his country...

Good Michael Pertwee story. It has a major flaw though; a character like 'Obono' would in all probability not have been allowed into Britain. He appears to have been inspired by the late despot Idi Amin, a lunatic and mass murderer who became a figure of fun in the U.K. after crowning himself 'King of Scotland' even though he had never visited the place. The Saint rejects his job offer, but when Joey gets abducted decides to help out. Obono is dying and plans to retire in favour of his daughter. Jack Hedley plays 'Colonel Dyson', his security chief. Hedley was 'Colonel Preston' in the B.B.C.'s wartime drama 'Colditz' and 'Alan Haldane' in the fondly remembered 'Who Pays The Ferryman?'. Muriel Odunton was 'Susan' in the late '70's L.W.T. sitcom about a mixed marriage - 'Mixed Blessings'.

Things To Look Out For - the sign near Heathrow Airport that says: 'Welcome To Britain In Our Jubilee Year'. Should give you an idea when the episode was made!
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