Philip Levene Movies
When a well-known psychiatrist reports that his wife has disappeared, the police discover an anonymous note stating that he has killed her. Under suspicion now of having murdered his wife and done away with the body, he becomes entangled in a suspenseful mystery as he tries to clear his name. One of several such movies, this one stands out of the pack. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1974
- R
Everything appears to be fine when a pair of strangers (Hayley Mills, Simon Ward) meet up and agree to travel together. However, the news that a mental patient has escaped from a nearby institution begins to cause problems between them. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Several enemy agents escape from a top-security prison, determined to wreak vengeance against the persons responsible for their arrest. When two of Steed's friends are murdered by the escapees, he decides it is time to end the reign of terror once and for all. But the still-imprisoned leader of the enemy minions calmly informs Steed that he is next on the list -- and that his assassin will be completely invisble. Written by Philip Levene, "Get-a-Way" made its American TV debut on April 24, 1969, and its British TV bow on May 14 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Made for TV, Mister Jerico stars Patrick Macnee as smooth con artist Dudley Jerico. Marty Allen, the brillo-haired member of the Allen and Rossi comedy team, is good for a few laughs as Jerico's sidekick. The pair are in Malta to pull off a spectacular scam. Millionaire Herbert Lom is covetous of the mate for his priceless "Gemini diamond," and Jerico drops subtle hints suggesting he's the man to supply the elusive gem. The publicity packet for Mister Jerico assured that we'd see "a comic run of fake and real gems, mixed identities, and pell-mell chases." What we never saw was the weekly series for which Mister Jerico was so obviously the pilot film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Steed is the latest in a long line of aristocrats who have been accused of crimes thanks to carefully planted evidence. He also finds himself victimized by a blackmailer, who uses his ill-gotten gains to purchase works of art. Making matters worse, Steed cannot entirely rely on Tara for assistance, inasmuch as she has been immobilized by a broken ankle. Written by Philip Levene, "Curious Case of the Countless Clues" first aired in England on February 5, 1969, some ten months after its American debut on April 3, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Several board members of the Acme Precision Corporation are murdered, and Steed is on hand to witness each killing. The culprit appears to be a sleepwalker, but that's only part of the story. Investigating, Steed and Tara trace the clues to a demented psychologist -- who, in yet another twist, may not be the principal villain. Written by Philip Levene, "My Wildest Dream" first aired in America on January 6, 1969, and was subsequently seen in England on April 9 of that year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Steed and Emma are summoned to investigate when several businessmen and a few prize bulls are found mauled to death. The culprit would seem to be a "big cat" of some sort, obliging Steed to go on a safari to find the answers. But it is Emma who finds herself in the thick of it, thanks to a curious organization called the Philanthropic Union for the Rescue, Relief and Recuperation of Cats (or PURRR). Ronnie Barker, of Two Ronnies fame, is among the guest stars. Written by Philip Levene, "The Hidden Tiger" was first seen in England on March 4, 1967, and in America 13 days later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Rigg
- 1967
The Avengers' sixth season opened with an exciting harkback to the classic third-season episode "The Cybernauts." The plot is set in motion by the brother of the man whose earlier attempt to use robotic technology to take over the British economy was foiled by Steed and Emma. Thirsting for revenge, the villain conspires with a trio of shady scientists to transform the Avengers into "living puppets." Horror-film perennial Peter Cushing guest stars as the deceptively charming Paul Beresford. Written by Philip Levene, "Return of the Cybernauts" made its British TV debut on September 30, 1967; its first American telecast was delayed until an open timeslot was found on February 21, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
The Avengers' fifth season came to a rousing finale with this episode. Steed and Emma are impersonated by a pair of enemy agents named Basil and Lola (Freddie Jones, and Patricia Haines). Things get hairier when the two imposters utilize a futuristic brain-transfer device to swap their minds with the genuine Steed and Emma. Written by Philip Levene, "Who's Who???" first aired in England on May 6, 1967, and in America on May 19 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
An apparent security leak takes on bizarre dimensions when the suspected traitors begin behaving like little children. It turns out that each of the persons involved apparently had the same nanny in childhood. With this clue in hand, Steed and Emma infiltrate a nanny training school, where they discover that the faculty is moonlighting in espionage. Written by Philip Levene, "Something Nasty in the Nursery" was first seen in England on April 22, 1967, and in America on May 5 of that year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Several notorious criminals have disappeared without a trace. Assigned to get to the bottom of this mystery, Steed and Emma discover that the miscreants have escaped capture with the aid of a time machine. This is the episode in which Emma, dressed in the "latest" 17th century garb, finds herself imprisoned in the stocks. Written by Philip Levene, "Escape in Time" was first seen in England on January 28, 1967, and in America on February 10 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Rigg
- 1967
The title sets the tone for what may well be the most incredible episode in the history of The Avengers. Steed and Emma are summoned to investigate when several people and a number of huge objects (including an armored tank) seemingly vanish. The cause of these disappearances is a newly developed shrinking machine, which villains intend to use to "miniaturize" their enemies. The silliness reaches its summit when a teeny-tiny John Steed rescues a normal-sized Emma. Written by Philip Levene, "Mission. . .Highly Improbable" was the final episode of the series' sixth season, making its British TV debut on November 18, 1967. Curiously, it was chosen as the first entry in the third American season of The Avengers, on January 10, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Macnee, Diana Rigg, (more)
- 1967
An organization specializing in extortion manages to extract money from nervous millionaires by demonstrating how easy it would be to commit murder. The mastermind behind these simulated killings is Nathaniel Needle (George Murcell), who makes it plain that he's just as capable of pulling off the "real thing." Steed and Emma dedicate themselves to stopping Needle's nasty little protection racket -- if they can avoid being murdered themselves. Written by Philip Levene, "You Have Just Been Murdered" premiered in England on October 28, 1967, and in America on January 24, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Horror-film icon Christopher Lee guest stars in this Philip Levene-scripted Avengers episode. When British scientist Professor Stone (Lee), supposedly killed in an auto accident, suddenly shows up alive and healthy, Steed and Emma want to know why. Their curiosity is peaked when Stone subsequently survives 100,000 volts of electricity and an exploding artillery shell. The clues lead to a hush-hush government facility called the Neoteric Research Unit, whose director is that selfsame Professor Stone -- or is it merely his robotic duplicate? First broadcast in England on March 18, 1967, "Never, Never Say Die" was shown in America 13 days later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
During an important conference, a key delegate suddenly runs out of the building and into the street, where he is promptly killed by an automobile. It turns out that the dead man had had premonitions of just such a tragedy, and all the other delegates have had similar premonitions. It's up to Steed and Emma to find out just what's been going on. . .and to prevent what seems to be the grim inevitable. Written by Philip Levene, "Death's Door" was originally broadcast in England on October 7, 1967; its first American telecast took place on January 31, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
This time around, Steed and Peel come up against an "invisible man." Actually, he only feigns invisibility, but his deception is enough to nearly bankrupt the British government, as the villain merrily steals important documents on behalf of a pair of sinister foreign agents. Roy Kinnear, best known for his work in director Richard Lester's films, guest stars as Quilby. Written by Philip Levene, "The See-Through Man" was first telecast in England on February 4, 1967 -- one day after its American TV debut. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Steed and Emma are called on the scene when several members of the British Venusian Society, an astronomical organization, suddenly die of extreme old age. It turns out that all of the dead stargazers had been looking directly at Venus, which, according to "expert" testimony, is poised to invade the Earth. The truth is a bit more prosaic, but no less threatening for our hero and heroine. The first full-color Avengers episode, "From Venus with Love" was also the initial offering of the series' fifth season. Written by Philip Levene, the episode first aired in England on January 14, 1967; six days later, it was seen on American network television. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Rigg
- 1965
A classic Avengers entry, this episode originally aired in England on October 16, 1965. Several industrialists are murdered by what appears to be a super-strong karate expert. Sent to investigate the killings, Steed and Emma discover that the murderer is actually a gigantic robot, the creation of a mad scientist bent on developing a race of similar humanoids. Burt Kwouk, the unforgettable "Cato" of the Pink Panther movies, plays an important supporting role. Written by Philip Levene, "The Cybernauts" was the first Avengers episode to be telecast in America, on March 28, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Rigg
- 1965
When a British farmer lapses into a coma, it appears to be the byproduct of a voodoo curse. Sent to the jungles of Kalaya to investigate, Steed uncovers a long-range plan to eliminate all Englishmen in the vicinity. The villains' principal weapons are superstition and a highly developed species of tsetse fly. As usual, Emma finds herself in jeopardy halfway through the proceedings. Written by Philip Levene, "Small Game for Big Hunters" was originally telecast in England on January 15, 1966; the first American telecast took place on April 4 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Rigg, Bill Fraser, (more)
- 1965
The gap between the British and American telecast of the individual Avengers episodes narrowed considerably during the series' fifth season; this episode appeared on American television a scant six days after its British TV debut. Steed and Peel investigate the mysterious deaths of several top figures in the ceramics business. It turns out that all of the victims were literally frightened to death. . .and guess which leather-clad female secret agent is next on the villains' "scare" list. Written by Philip Levene, "The Fear Merchants" features a choice performance by Patrick Cargill, best known to American viewers for his work in the Beatles' theatrical film Help! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Rigg
- 1965
Steed and Emma investigate when several top British horticulturists suddenly vanish. It's all part of a master scheme to take over the world -- and the instigator may very well be from out of this world. As indicated by the title, the Avengers ultimately find themselves at the mercy of a carnivorous plant. Written by Philip Levene, "Man-Eater of Surrey Green" made its first American TV appearance on August 25, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Regular viewers were in for a jolt when, early in the proceedings of the December 18, 1965, episode "Two's a Crowd," hero John Steed was killed right before their eyes. Actually, the dead man was a double of Steed, an enemy agent hired by a mysterious masterspy known as Psev. As the real Steed tries to get to the bottom of things, Emma becomes convinced that her partner isn't her partner at all, and thus is a candidate for elimination. Written by Philip Levene, "Two's a Crowd" made its British TV debut on December 18, 1965, and its American TV bow on May 9, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Rigg
