Templar and the niece (Annette Andre) of a research scientist search through a labyrinth of tunnels underneath a mountain in Wales for something that is causing terror in the balliwick in this sci-fi/horror remiscent of Dr WHO, as one poster said, and though it's odd to see such a story featuring a giant ant in a Saint adventure, it's still an enjoyable mad scientist embarking on a deadly venture storyline. It is also atmospheric, creepy - So is Anthony Bates as the scientist who wouldn't stop at murder to fulfill his ambition. The pretty Annette Andre co-stars with Roger.
4 Reviews
A surprise
Leofwine_draca8 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A great B-movie feel to this episode, which has Templar heading off to rural Wales to investigate strange disappearances. Soon enough he's involved with a conspiracy plot and some mad scientists whose latest experiments have created a giant...well, I'll let you find out. A real DR WHO feel to this one, which has atmospheric surrounds, a good supporting cast of character actors, and a fine monster. I wasn't expecting this kind of thing from THE SAINT!
I love mad scientists, and Annette Andre
hmoika24 May 2021
When I read the storyline of this episode, prior to watching, I was expecting to feel quite ho-hum during and after watching. Goodness knows there are some of those kind during this last season.
Instead, the script and the casting created a jolly good story centered around yet another mad scientist.
Yes, the story was simple; the dialogue predictable......and yet, I felt truly entertained. The episode just reminded me of so many B movies of mad scientists that I've enjoyed throughout my life. So I threw maturity to the wind and found myself back in the lands of yesteryear......and had a splendid time!
Of course, Annette Andre played a role in my satisfaction.
Instead, the script and the casting created a jolly good story centered around yet another mad scientist.
Yes, the story was simple; the dialogue predictable......and yet, I felt truly entertained. The episode just reminded me of so many B movies of mad scientists that I've enjoyed throughout my life. So I threw maturity to the wind and found myself back in the lands of yesteryear......and had a splendid time!
Of course, Annette Andre played a role in my satisfaction.
Unusual Episode from Charteris Story
aramis-112-80488016 December 2021
Simon Templar arrives in a Welsh village in time to join the search for a lost shepherd. When the stray shepherd is located he's out of his mind, with strange lascerations across his chest.
Sometimes Leslie Charteris seemed to be dozing over his typewriter. He wrote an awful lot until he farmed the Saint out, and churned out rubbish with the greater Templar yarns.
This tale was changed a lot and was stuffed with familiar faces to make it palatable (including lovely Annette Andre, who once popped up in the overrated but nevertheless brilliant "The Prisoner"; and Anthony Bate as the not-quite-mad-enough scientist who seems not so much mad as incredibly testy).
The problem with "mad scientist" stories is making what they're mad about seem realistic. American '60s TV, which had more money, had enough difficulty with making its off-and-on brilliant SF programs believable. This tale ends up downright silly. But it was Charteris' idea. He gets the blame.
Moore and Andre are pretty and play well together. The supporting players do their best to make it believable. But in the final analysis it has the feel of a Steed and Mrs. Peel episode without the flippant humor.
Still, though I'm a Charteris "ST" fan myself, i try to catch anything with Annette Andre. And Moore, as always, is good at what he does, whether he's Simon Templar or James Bond. The pretty heroes make this episode watchable.
Sometimes Leslie Charteris seemed to be dozing over his typewriter. He wrote an awful lot until he farmed the Saint out, and churned out rubbish with the greater Templar yarns.
This tale was changed a lot and was stuffed with familiar faces to make it palatable (including lovely Annette Andre, who once popped up in the overrated but nevertheless brilliant "The Prisoner"; and Anthony Bate as the not-quite-mad-enough scientist who seems not so much mad as incredibly testy).
The problem with "mad scientist" stories is making what they're mad about seem realistic. American '60s TV, which had more money, had enough difficulty with making its off-and-on brilliant SF programs believable. This tale ends up downright silly. But it was Charteris' idea. He gets the blame.
Moore and Andre are pretty and play well together. The supporting players do their best to make it believable. But in the final analysis it has the feel of a Steed and Mrs. Peel episode without the flippant humor.
Still, though I'm a Charteris "ST" fan myself, i try to catch anything with Annette Andre. And Moore, as always, is good at what he does, whether he's Simon Templar or James Bond. The pretty heroes make this episode watchable.
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