Eric Paice Movies
- 1982
This British sitcom starred Stratford Johns as a fire-breathing, management-hating trade unionist who suddenly found himself inheriting a title. Now known as Lord Moutainash, the hero moved into his huge ancestral castle in Wales. Though he tried not to forsake his populist views despite his great wealth, it was quite an uphill climb, especially when he found himself enjoying his new status in the "rotting nobility." The seven-episode Union Castle was shown on Granada Television from April 19 to June 7, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
When a country clergyman is found dead with a gun and a roll of microfilm in his possession, Steed poses as the man's replacement. This enables him to gain access to the venerable crime organization Bibliotek, at present locked in a power struggle. This episode marks the second time that The Avengers utilized a machine gun-wielding nun as a plot device. Written by Eric Paice, "The Little Wonders" first aired in England on January 11, 1964; American viewers finally caught up with the episode when it was shown on the A&E cable network on March 25, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Cathy is informed that she is of royal blood -- and in fact is next in line for the British throne. Unfortunately, her only chance of assuming her proper place in life is if an impending military coup is successful. It is up to Steed to prevent that coup. . .but can he rely upon Cathy's cooperation this time out? Written by Eric Paice, "Esprit de Corps" was initially telecast in England on March 14, 1964; American viewers didn't get to see this episode until it was cablecast on April 5, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
One-and-a-half seconds after his election, a muckraking politician is murdered. Hoping to get to the bottom of the mystery, Steed arranges for Cathy to take the dead man's place. But it turns out that the "murder victim" is very much alive, and he intends to detonate a nuclear warhead in London on Guy Fawkes' Day. Originally telecast in England on November 2, 1963 (three days before the annual Guy Fawkes celebration), "November Five" was written by Eric Paise. The significance of its title (and its topicality) was lost to American viewers when the episode made its U.S. TV debut on March 12, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Going undercover, Cathy Gale joins the board of directors of a highly suspicious munitions firm. It's all part of a master scheme to infiltrate an organization specializing in smuggling and assassination. But before she can put all the pieces together and trap the head villains, Cathy is herself targetted for elimination -- which, curiously enough, was her partner Steed's intention all along. Originally telecast October 20, 1962, "Bullseye" was written by Eric Paice. The episode made its first American appearance on January 30, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
"The Decapod" is the professional name of a wrestling champion who the Avengers suspect of being an assassin. When the secretary of a Balkan ambassador is murdered, Steed's assistant Venus Smith (Julie Stevens) takes the dead woman's place. Trailing the killers, Venus ends up at a professional wrestling match, while Steed does some grappling of his own to fend off the real assassin. Written by Eric Paice, this episode was originally telecast October 13, 1962; its American debut was delayed until January 29, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
There's something fishy about the fact that an airliner crash took place near an Irish convent -- especially since it was one of several similar crashes occuring in the same vicinity. Investigating this phenomenon, Steed and Dr. King find that the local nuns are tightlipped and uncooperative, and at least one is potentially dangerous. The truth behind the "accidents" is obvious from the start, but getting there is half the fun. The last episode to feature Jon Rollason as Dr. King, "Dead on Course" was written by Eric Paice; it first aired in England on December 29, 1962, and it was finally shown in America on February 13, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
London's federation of diamond merchants is being plagued by a vicious gang of smugglers. Steed and Cathy pose as husband-and-wife gem dealers in hopes of flushing out the villains. Ultimately, Cathy is targetted for death by the smugglers, but here as elsewhere, she proves to be up to the challenge. First telecast in England on December 1, 1962, Death on the Rocks was written by Eric Paice. The episode made its American cable-TV bow on February 7, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
A frozen body is discovered in a shipment of beef -- and it's all the handiwork of a neo-Nazi group called the Phoenix. Assigned to infiltrate the organization, Keel discovers that one of its members has perfected a method of cryogenics. Alas, his true identity is revealed, whereupon Keel is scheduled for the next "freezing session." Though videotaped on September 7, 1961, "Dead of Winter" would not be telecast until December 9, 1961; the episode was written by Eric Paice. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Created by Ted Willis, the British sitcom Tell It to the Marines revolved around the antics of a tough, boisterous Royal Marine squadron. The fun began when the leathernecks found themselves billeted with a bunch of underwhelmed Royal Navy boys. Bandleader/impresario Jack Hylton served as executive producer. The 30 half-hour episodes of Tell It to the Marines were seen through the facilities of Associated Rediffusion from September 23, 1959 to April 13, 1960. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
