The Avengers - Title Sequence

John Johnson · Post by **John Johnson** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:17 pm

I was wondering, which are the original main titles for the Emma Peel episodes, the gun and champagne, or the chessboard? Was the chessboard filmed just for the U.S. market? Any reason why they had a different sequence?

Frankymole · Post by **Frankymole** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 7:44 am

I think the gun and champagne is for the colour Emma Peel episodes, and the chessboard is for the black and white ones.

The chessboard sequence was made for American audiences, since they had not seen any of the Avengers before and needed an introductory voice over to explain the concept of the show.

I am not sure whether Canada received the chessboard sequence.

In the UK, the Avengers had already had three fullseasons before Emma Peel came along, so the chessboard was not required.

You can read about the chessboard sequence here: http://theavengers.tv/forever/peel-prod-dp1.htm

John Johnson · Post by **John Johnson** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 12:10 am

So would it be considered an alternative title sequence? The only one I know of is the gun and champagne. I think the b/w Diana Rigg episodes had a montage of photos. Would that be correct?

Frankymole · Post by **Frankymole** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 12:26 am

It's not a title sequence, as such - it was added on to appear before the titles of the black and white (photo-montage) titles, for America. As I understand it, following the chessboard sequence with its explanatory voice-over about who the avengers are, the episode "proper" begins with the same title sequence (montage) as the UK got.

John Johnson · Post by **John Johnson** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 1:42 am

Thanks for explanation.

mousemeat · Post by **mousemeat** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:05 pm

Frankymole wrote:It's not a title sequence, as such - it was added on to appear before the titles of the black and white (photo-montage) titles, for America. As I understand it, following the chessboard sequence with its explanatory voice-over about who the avengers are, the episode "proper" begins with the same title sequence (montage) as the UK got.

myself, always loved that sequence with the chessboard. genius.