PATRICK SIGNS UP

TUW is delighted to announce that the charity memorabilia auction at PM2008 in Portmeirion on July 13th 2008 will contain two very special items.

Patrick McGoohan has specially hand-signed two photographs (left) exclusively for the event, due to the Ty Gobaith cause it is raising funds for. Attendees and non-attendees will be able to bid on these very special items.

TUW would like to thank Patrick McGoohan, and Larry Green who organised the signing, for their kindness and support of the event and charity.

Tickets are still available for PM2008 HERE and more details about the event will be announced soon.

REMAKE RUMOURS RESURFACE

Throughout April and May 2008 the ongoing saga of the will-they-won't-they "Prisoner" series remake continued with a new influx of newspaper articles making various claims.

Various newspapers, including the Independent, Daily Mail, Daily Post (Wales) and London Metro (left) have covered the story, with again Christopher Eccleston named as the new Number Six (a casting denied by his agent back in 2006).

It has been reported that filming has begun in Libya, with McGoohan in a cameo role, but this has been denied by ITV who are reported as saying that no casting or details for the "remake" are in place.

TUW will of course be first to report anything substantial.

McGOOHAN TREATS

Exciting news this week for fans of the films of Patrick McGoohan.

The first is that the 1980s movie, produced by "Prisoner" and "Danger Man" Director Peter Graham Scott and co-starring McGoohan and Jane Seymour, "Jamaica Inn" is geting a DVD release in May 2008 by Network DVD.

Also available from a company called Intrada are limited edition soundrack CDs for some of McGoohan's films. They are Jerry Goldsmith's score for "Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend" (HERE), John Barry's for "Mary Queen of Scots" (HERE), and Henry Mancini's for "Silver Streak" (HERE).

Thanks to Leslie Glen and Simon Coward for this news item.

PRISONER ON I-TUNES

It has been announced today (April 22nd) that "The Prisoner", as well as other popular series such as "The Saint" and "Cold Feet", are to be made available via iTunes, at a cost of £1.89 per episode. Dawn Airey, managing director of ITV Global Content, said: "We want to give viewers the opportunity to watch their favourite shows wherever they are. "

Thanks to Howard Foy for this news item.

LLOYD LAMBLE DIES

It is with regret that TUW has more sad news for "Prisoner" fans in that Lloyd Lamble, who played Stapleton in "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling", died on April 9th 2008 aged 94.

Born in Australia, Lamble had a successful theatre and radio career before moving to England in the 1950s, and worked in theatre and TV in the UK well into his 80s and has an incredible list of credits to his name including cult favourites such as "The Avengers" and "The Invisible Man".

TUW would like to extend its sympathies to his family and friends. A more detailed obituary can be read HERE.

Thanks to Gareth Bevan & Simon Coward for this news item. Image (c) David Healey.

BONDING WITH THE PRISONER

April 2008 sees the release of an interesting book, with a chapter devoted to The Prisoner and Danger Man.

"The Bond Code - The dark World of Ian Fleming and James Bond" by Philip Gardiner describes how Ian Fleming and his associations with the world of the occult actually led him to create a masterful series of clever clues, ciphers and codes within his novels.

Bond's influence on The Prisoner and Danger Man is included in the book, published by New Page Books, as is a mention of McGoohan turning down the role of Bond. For a review of the book, click HERE. A copy of the book will be raffled at PM2008.

With thanks to Michael Pralin for the review book.

DAVID NETTHEIM R.I.P.

TUW is sad to report that David Nettheim, who played The Doctor in the episode "The Schizoid Man" passed away in March of 2008. He was 72.

Best known for his theatre work in England, and as a radio producer in his native Australia, he also appeared on TV in "Elizabeth R", "Doctor Who". "The Saint", and "Prisoner" and other Australian drama series, and on film in "The High Commissioner".

His association with "The Prisoner" did not end in 1967, as he provided voiceovers for Carmel Morris's Prisoner-inspired CD in the 1990s.

TUW would like to extend it's sincerest sympathies to everyone who knew him. A detailed obituary can be found HERE, and click HERE for an interview regarding his time on "The Prisoner".

Thanks to SR for this news item.

CONVENTIONS BOOKED

"Wiffle Lever to Full" is the title of an interesting and exciting book of interest to "Prisoner" and Cult TV fans.

Written by Bob Fischer, the book is a tale of his experiences of attending various fan conventions during 2005 and 2006, and PM2006 is included, along with various "Star Trek", "Doctor Who", and other series' conventions.

Click HERE for Bob's official website for the book.

TUW is delighted that Bob will attend PM2008 to talk about the book and be on hand to sign the first copies of the book to be available (it's official publishing date falling a week after the event).

APRIL PRISONER WEEKEND CONFIRMED

An exciting array of events awaits "Prisoner" fans on the weekend of April 25-27. On Saturday 26th, Leslie Glen will be hosting his "Prisoner Mind Mash" seminar at the White Hart pub (near St Barts Hospital in London) and is looking for both attendees and volunteers. The event costs £5 to attend and any profits will be donated to TUW's PM2008 charity fund. To contact Leslie visit the events page. The Sunday will see the first of this year's two London Locations Walkabouts.

Over 20 locations seen in "The Prisoner" are visited on the tour. For times and more details visit the events page.

THE MORNING AFTER SALE

Thanks to Cult TV expert Jaz Wiseman, for many years there have been two excellent publications available for fans of ITC series, especially The Persuaders!

We are delighted to report that back issues of both "The Morning After" and "Nuisance Value" are now available for sale at a reduced "sale price". Available issues are TMA 20/21/22/23/24/25/26 and 27 - £2 each, TMA 10th Anniversary - £3, and Nuisance Value 3 (pictured left) - £2.

The magazines are of great quality both cosmetically and in terms of interesting content, including interviews etc. For payment details, please email: jaz_wiseman@yahoo.com

KANNER IN PRINT

One of the most popular actors to have appeared in "The Prisoner" was Alexis Kanner, who sadly died in 2003, and a screenography tribute is now available and in print.

"Hear the Word of the Lord" by Cranston McMillan (left) is an A5 self-printed publication which runs to 40 pages and takes an in-depth look at Kanner's career.

The Unmutual Website has limited copies available to purchase from our shop for £3.99 each (postage free within the UK) with 50% donated to Ty Gobaith Hospice.

Thanks to Cranston McMillan for this news item.

PRISONER BACK ON ITV

For the first time since the late 1970s, "The Prisoner" will once again grace the screens of ITV in the UK.

From Wednesday March 19th 2008 (Patrick McGoohan's 80th Birthday), the show will air every Wednesday on ITV4 at 8.00pm, with repeats on Thursdays at 10.25am and 3.00pm.

Thanks to Simon Coward for this news item.

KEVIN STONEY RIP

For the second day in a row, TUW is sad to report the death of another name from "The Prisoner".

Kevin Stoney, who played Colonel J in "The Chimes of Big Ben" sadly passed away on 20/1/2008 at the age of 86. Also a guest-star in series such as "Doctor Who", "Blakes 7", and "Bergerac", Stoney was also an accomplished stage and film actor.

His "Prisoner" scene is one of the best-remembered from the series and TUW would like to extend its sympathies to all those who knew him.

With thanks to Jeff Koch, Steven Ricks, and James Stephen Barnes for this news item.

PRISONER CAMERAMAN DIES

TUW is sad to report that on 30th January 2008, Prisoner second-unit camerman Ronnie Fox-Rogers sadly passed away following a lung infection.

Present at the 1966 Portmeirion shoot, Ronnie was responsible for much of the underwater Rover shooting, including pumping the balloons, and shot the famous sequences involving the Village Guardian off the coast of North Wales.

He later worked on the films "Superman", "McVicar" and "The Kitchen Toto" among others. In the 1990s he gave a frank interview with Steven Ricks regarding his time on the series. TUW extends its sympathies to his family and friends at this sad time.

With thanks to Simon Coward for this news item. Image (c) Steven Ricks, used with permission and thanks.

NUMBER TWO RELEASED

After a wait of several years since the release of their first novel, "The Prisoner's Dilemma", Powys Media have announced that the second novel in the series of 6, "Miss Freedom", is due for release in February 2008.

The book (front cover left), by former "Doctor Who" script editor Andrew Cartmel, will be launched at the February 15th Gallifrey Doctor Who convention in Los Angeles.

Initially the novel will be released as a signed limited edition, with a full release due in April 2008. Keep an eye on TUW for a full review in due course. Online review HERE.

With thanks to Mateo Latosa, Dave Jones, and Robert Fairclough for this news item.

PORTMEIRION CARDED

An interesting email arrived at The Unmutual this week, from Portmeirion fan Craig Conley. He writes; "I wanted to let you know about the new "Tarot of Portmeirion" website, which presents an entire set of Tarot cards based upon the village. The site offers free online Tarot spreads and explains the symbolism of various statues and architectural features within Portmeirion."

The address of the site is http://mysteryarts.com/portmeirion/tarot/ and as you can see the set of cards is very detailed, imaginative, and features some lovely images of Portmeirion.

Thanks to Craig Conley for this news item.

PM2008 CONFIRMED

Following the success of PM2005, PM2006, and PM2007, PM2008 - a one day celebration of Patrick McGoohan, "The Prisoner", "Danger Man", and Portmeirion - will be taking place in the Hercules Hall in Portmeirion on Sunday 13th July 2008.

Special guests from the series' will as usual attend and be interviewed, and rare and exclusive archive items will one again be shown on the big screen as well as other event attractions. Once again, the event will be in aid of Ty Gobaith Children's Hospice and is officially sanctioned by both Granada Media and Portmeirion.

For more details, and to purchase tickets, click HERE.

MAG NEWS

Once again McGoohan's TV work is mentioned in "TV & Film Memorabilia magazine" and also bags the front cover of the January 2008 issue.

"The Prisoner" features in a "Top 5 TV shows of the 60s" article, written by Spencer Lloyd Peet. There is also a four page feature in the same magazine entitled "Danger Man v The Prisoner" - to find out which is best, buy the magazine!

In other magazine news, the latest issue of "Action TV" is also available, this issue (Vol 2 No 3) features "Space 1999", "Public Eye", and "The Girl From UNCLE". To subscribe or order, visit http://www.startrader.co.uk

With thanks to Spencer Lloyd Peet, David Nightingale and Michael Richardson.