Escapade - Avengers USA (1978)

Sam · Post by **Sam** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 12:21 am

I was going to wait, but went ahead and watched it this morning. I'm glad I did. My uncle caught it the one time CBS aired it back in 1978, but didn't tell me about it until later.

It was interesting. Although they tried to make Joshua "Steedish" by the "I don't like to carry a gun" business, to me he resembled an American Mike Gambit. I had no problem with Granville Van Dusen's take on the role.

I think Susie was supposed to be an American Purdey, but fell short. I like Morgan Fairchild, but she's not really "spy material". Her constant hitting on Joshua made me think of Gambit's many attempts at Purdey. That bit was way overdone and was getting quite annoying by the end of the episode.

Oz, the talking computer, was the weakest part of the whole thing and made me appreciate Mother a lot more!

As I said before, it was interesting to finally see it. I think it would make a great extra on one of the upcoming DVD sets. You could definitely tell that Clemens came up with it around the same time as TNA. He continued his tradition of "stealing from himself". I can see why it was not picked up as a series, though.

Post by **dissolute** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:03 am

So, did anyone rip it to a local copy? That had been my intention when I got home last night, but it was too late by then.

Dandy Forsdyke · Post by **Dandy Forsdyke** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 8:31 am

Sam wrote:
It was interesting. Although they tried to make Joshua "Steedish" by the "I don't like to carry a gun" business, to me he resembled an American Mike Gambit. I had no problem with Granville Van Dusen's take on the role.

The villain looked even more like Gareth Hunt I thought. But yes Joshua was a US Steed/Gambit amalgam.

Sam wrote:
I think Susie was supposed to be an American Purdey, but fell short. I like Morgan Fairchild, but she's not really "spy material". Her constant hitting on Joshua made me think of Gambit's many attempts at Purdey. That bit was way overdone and was getting quite annoying by the end of the episode.

Interesting how the roles were reversed. Susie was, what people would call today, a bit of a bunny-boiler.

Sam wrote:
Oz, the talking computer, was the weakest part of the whole thing and made me appreciate Mother a lot more!

That was excruciating. I think the gay/English computer (Oz) was a take off of C3PO. The humour was a bit laboured to say the least. I thought John Inman was stuck in it's data bank at first.

Sam wrote:
As I said before, it was interesting to finally see it. I think it would make a great extra on one of the upcoming DVD sets. You could definitely tell that Clemens came up with it around the same time as TNA. He continued his tradition of "stealing from himself". I can see why it was not picked up as a series, though.

I would never have commissioned this without a major re-write, perhaps even a re-cast - I thought the actress playing Paula Winters, the newbie agent was a better fit than Fairchild. At least with her auburn hair and Adidas track suit she looked more like a recognisable Avenger girl.

If Optimum ever do a New Avengers box set this would be an interesting addition.

Timeless A-Peel · Post by **Timeless A-Peel** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 1:44 pm

It was stated in one of the Rogers books that Joshua and Suzy were supposed to be Americanised versions of Steed/Gambit and Purdey, as opposed to any of the other Avengers characters, which makes sense considering the close proximity to TNA. I really, really want to see this now. I'l be very grateful to anyone who can offer a download link or something.

jerome · Post by **jerome** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 6:30 pm

the opening sequence for Escapade

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj9ohcdmhsU

bramford · Post by **bramford** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 5:39 pm

The full episode again for those of you who missed it.

http://sevenload.com/videos/COZkGQf-Escapade

Timeless A-Peel · Post by **Timeless A-Peel** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 1:19 am

bramford wrote:The full episode again for those of you who missed it.

http://sevenload.com/videos/COZkGQf-Escapade

Thank you!

Any chance of a download link in case it goes AWOL again?

Cybernowt · Post by **Cybernowt** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 9:06 am

Timeless A-Peel wrote:
bramford wrote:The full episode again for those of you who missed it.

http://sevenload.com/videos/COZkGQf-Escapade
Thank you! Any chance of a download link in case it goes AWOL again?

I was thinking that too!

SteedMonk · Post by **SteedMonk** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 6:01 pm

Firefox offers several add-ons to download the video!

Sam · Post by **Sam** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 10:10 pm

SteedMonk wrote:Firefox offers several add-ons to download the video!

Way ahead of you. Already snagged myself a copy!