MAGIC GARDENS PUBLISHED

Exciting news from Portmeirion is the release of a beautiful new 175-page book. "Magic Gardens - The Underwater Art of Susan Williams-Ellis" is a unique collection of drawings, sketches, and previously unpublished paintings dating from the 1940s to the present day, and is priced at £25.

For more details and information, click HERE.

SECOND LIFE UPDATE

The online Second Life world of "The Village" continues to go from strength to strength! Accessible HERE, it is a virtual Portmeirion/Village setting which now has over 400 members / characters enjoying the setting and games available!

To get another taster of what's in store, a youtube video of a tour of the site is now online HERE.

With thanks to Catty for this news item.

LIMITED EDITION BIBLE

As readers of the site will know, Eric Mival (music editor on "The Prisoner") is currently developing a system to help early learners with their maths and is offering to sell the unique Prisoner Music Bible to
help fund the project (see announcement further down this news page).

After receiving an order from overseas, Eric is now also offering Limited Edition copies of the tome to help raise funds. The Price for a full colour copy of the entire volume, including all the library notes which are unavailable elsewhere, is £120. Anyone wishing to purchase a copy should email this site as soon as possible, as this will be strictly limited availability.

NB. Unlike the small facsimile of the Music Bible, included with the 3 CDS of original "Prisoner" music published earlier this year, this close to full size version includes a further 43 pages of original notes.

GERTAN KLAUBER R.I.P.

As reported on TUW several weeks ago, sad news has been received that Gertan Klauber, who played the village waiter in "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" sadly passed away in August 2008.

Also famous for his roles in series such as "Doctor Who" and "Blackadder", he will perhaps most fondly be remembered for his many "Carry On" film roles. TUW extends it's sincerest sympathies to all who knew him.

With thanks to Simon Coward for this news item.

STOP PRESS EXTRA

The last 2 weeks have seen many of small news items submitted to the site, so here is a round up of recent "stop press" news snippets.

Sad news to report is that "Danger Man" guest actor Peter Copley (left) died on October 7th aged 93. Other DM news is that the excellent http://www.danger-man.co.uk/ has been relaunched and redesigned.

Also reported recently, a DVD set of series 1-7 of of "Columbo" which includes the McGoohan episodes "By Dawn's Early Light" and "Last Salute of the Commodore" has been released. In something of a coincidence, McGoohan's Columbo roles got a mention from Terry Wogan on his Radio 2 show on October 14th ("he always played the murderer").

In other news, the New York Times recently featured a large "Prisoner" DVD article HERE, McDonald Tours team up with Portmeirion HERE, "The Prisoner" is mentioned in a Radetsky March piece in the Daily Mail HERE, Ron Grainer's "The Omega Man" soundtrack CD is due for re-release HERE, and the "Prisoner" remake blogs and reports continue apace HERE.

Update 5/11/08: David Macenzie's lego village featured HERE, the new Caterham is unvelied HERE, Network's Danger Man box-set halved in price HERE, Portmeirion are hosting a gourmet night HERE. During a recent edition of "Madmen", AMC put a 4-second teaser of the "Prisoner" TV remake and Ian McKellen reveals remake Number Two has a family HERE, and finally Portmeirion is included in both the November 2008 Conde Nast Traveler and the Canadian Express HERE.

With thanks to SR, Roger Goodman, Leslie Glen, Kevin Ryerson, John Green, Catherine Frumerman, David Mackenzie, Alan Jones, and Matthew Courtman for this news item.

REMAKE DIRECTOR "SACKED"

Production is well under way in Namibia for the "Prisoner" TV series re-make! The sets are complete and filming has begun, although not without some changes in personnel according to Ian "Number Two" McKellen's blog.

It seems original Director Jon Jones has been replaced by Nick Hurran.

For more details and to read AMCTV's fantastic blogs, and watch production videos and interviews regarding the remake, click HERE.

TOP COLLECTORS MAG REVIEWS PM2008

The October issue of TV Film Memorabilia magazine should be of interest to all fans of Patrick McGoohan. Not only does the star feature prominently on the cover, there's also a 3-page full colour feature inside by Spencer Peet on "The Life and Career of Patrick McGoohan". Not only that, but Spencer also reviews the recent PM2008 event in a two page article profusely illustrated with photographs of the guests and stunning
images of Portmeirion.

The 80 page full-colour magazine also includes many other articles including Public Eye, Ingrid Pitt writing about the comedy of Tony Hancock, Steve Holland on 1950s comic hero Rick Random, an item on Captain Scarlet toys, and much more.

The current issue of TV Film Memorabilia is £3.25 and is available
from WH Smith and other High Street newsagents or it can be ordered from the official website HERE. Click HERE for Spencer's official website.

Thanks to Spencer Peet and Lew Stringer for this news item. Scans may appear on TUW in the future.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Eric Mival, the main music editor on “The Prisoner” is prepared to sell the Prisoner Music Bible he and fellow music editor, Robert Dearberg, wrote for their work on the series. This is due to Eric wanting to raise funds to develop a unique approach to teaching maths to early learners, which he has developed over the last five years.

The Music Bible is the original black covered exercise book used to record all the details of music specially composed for “The Prisoner” along with library music that Eric and Bob selected mainly from Chappell’s music library. There is a small facsimile of it included with the Prisoner Original Soundtrack CD set released by Network DVD.

However, the facsimile does not hold the unique notes about the library music.

Beyond his days on “The Prisoner” Eric went on to write, direct, produce and edit a range of films, videos and DVDs for the BBC, Central Television, and a number of blue chip companies. More recently he has specialised in writing, directing and producing educational television programmes and videos for adults and children including the stories for Jolly Phonics, the leading synthetic phonics reading scheme.

Anyone interested in wanting to help Eric’s latest venture by possibly buying this totally unique memory of “The Prisoner” please contact him by emailing him via our contacts page.

DRAKE RELEASED

Danger Man fans have not one but two special treats to look forward to this autumn!

Firstly, Madman are releasing the hour-long episodes in a DVD box-set. This release may prove to be the finest yet, with the episodes (unlike the Network release) uncut and a selection of extras including commentaries and introductions from people such as Jane Merrow, Peter Bowles, Derren Nesbitt, and John Glen.

The set also includes a featurette on composer Edwin Astley, and several galleries and other items. The set is released on November 12th.

Also available soon, for the first time, is a CD soundtrack set of Edwin Astley's music for the series, available from Network at an internet only price of £15.99.

Thanks to Jaz Wiseman and SR for this news item.

DR SYN ON DVD

After many years waiting, fans of Patrick McGoohan's film and TV work are in for a treat with the release of "Dr Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" on Region 1 DVD on 11th November.

The Walt Disney release is a Treasury edition which features the 3 original episodes & the edited film version plus extra features. Click HERE to pre-order the limited edition 2-disc tin!

Thanks to James Fielding and SR for this news item.

OCTOBER PRISONER WEEKEND

To celebrate the 21st Birthday of the London Prisoner Group, Dave Lally is organising a series of events for Prisoner fans over the weekend of 24th-26th October 2008.

The Friday evening will see an informal pub meeting in central London, Saturday a tour of "Prisoner" locations in Borehamwood, and Sunday the traditional London locations Walkabout!

For more details, click HERE to visit the events page.

VILLAGE INSPIRATION FOR SALE

Any readers with a spare £1.1m in the bank might like to consider "Inverlair Lodge" in Scotland! The site was the inspiration for George Markstein's "home for spies", which became The Village, having had knowledge of the site used during WWII. Click HERE for more details of the sale, including some fascinating images.

With thanks to Andrew Hobson for this news item. Image (c) David Healey.

TY GOBAITH SAYS THANKS

Since 2005, any profits from The Unmutual Website and its events have been donated to Ty Gobaith Children's Hospice in Conwy, and on August 13th 2008 Rick Davy of TUW was delighted to visit the hospice for the first time.

A satellite unit of Hope House, Ty Gobaith relies on donations and fundraising to reach its yearly budget of £1,ooo,ooo.

Pictured left presenting the PM2008 cheque to Katrina Cameron of the hospice, Rick was given a tour of the hospice, including it's fabulous new play area and gardens and was thanked on behalf of all at the hospice for the generosity of "Prisoner" fans who support the hospice by visiting TUW and attending TUW's official events.

REMAKE IN PRODUCTION

The AMC/ITV "Prisoner" remake developments keep continuing, with the reporting and providing several fascinating production reports, interviews, a production diary, and even a video of McKellen and Caviezel at their first script read-through HERE!

Location/Set building underway HERE.

Guest star Hayley Atwell has also given her thoughts on the remake HERE.

With thanks to AMC and Clayton Newman, Lew Stringer, and Brian Watson for this news item.

PRISONER GETS SECOND LIFE

"Second Life" is an exciting internet development where 3D Worlds are imagined and created by users of the site, and "The Village" is now included at the site under the group name of "I am Not a Number".

The graphics are exceptional, and all are Well Come to join this non-profit making exercise. Click HERE for more info.

Thanks to Catty for this news item.

REMAKE UPDATE

July 25th saw the latest in a number of Official ITV press releases related to the new series, and the latest deals with the casting of some more actors who are due to appear in the new series (in addition to those announced further down this very news page). Click HERE for the latest press release.

Promotion of the remake is also gathering pace over in the US, where at the World-famous Comic-Con the writers produced a number of teasers, including sky writing of the phrase "Seek the Six" above San Diego. Click HERE, HERE, and HERE for more details and images.

Update 3/8/08: Producer Trevor Hopkins has stated that the remake, "a parallel to the original", could run longer than the initial 6 episodes, that CGI will be used where appropriate, and that they have been in touch with McGoohan; "At the moment he's not scheduled to appear in it."

Update: 5/8/08: Screen Africa confirm filming location HERE (below) .

Photo taken by Harald Süpfle

With thanks to Lew Stringer, Brian Watson, Joanna Firneno, Catherine Frumerman, Jonathan Bowman, and Rob Carver for this news item.

RADIO PM

Listeners to BBC Radio 4's "Saturday Live" programme on July 26th will have heard some famous music and excerpts from "The Prisoner", as an included segment featured Sian Lloyd taking listeners on a tour round Portmeirion.

The series was mentioned several times as were many of Portmeirion's buildings, Sian's own wedding (left) which took place in the Main Hotel's Mirror Room, the importance of the Welsh language, and the village's history. Click HERE to download the podcast or to listen again.

In other Portmeirion news, could the ethos and privacy of the Village be threatened by the proposed "coastal corridor"? Click HERE.

With thanks to SR, Dennis Buckingham, Alan Jones, and Catherine Frumerman for this news item. Image (c) Daily Mail, all rights reserved.

ANOTHER SUCCESS

On July 13th 2008, PM2008, The Official one-day Celebration of Patrick McGoohan, The Prisoner, Danger Man, and Portmeirion took place in the Hercules Hall, and for the fourth year running the event was a popular success and a full photo report of the event is now online HERE.

Special guests Robert Rietti, Bettine Le Beau, Rob Fairclough, and Bob Fischer kept the audience captivated, no less than 4 special screenings were shown on the big screen, and an auction, raffle, guided tour, displays, and competitions kept the large crowd entertained.

The event, organised by Rick Davy of TUW and Dave Jones, was in aid of Ty Gobaith Children's Hospice and over £500 profit was made on the day.

Image (c) Sam Denham.

PM2006 DVD ON SALE

After a long wait, TUW is delighted to announce that a 2-disc set of the PM2006 event is now on sale!

Featuring the interviews with Jane Merrow, Robert Monks (including a look at his collection of behind-the-scenes photos) and Robert Fairclough, the 2-disc set is priced at only £9.99 with any profits entered into our Ty Gobaith charity event funds.

Click HERE for more details and to order your copy, or click HERE to visit the Village Shop for more "Prisoner" items.

NETWORK AWARDED

Congratulations to Network and all involved in the recent 40th Anniversary DVD set, as it has just won an HEW industry award in the "Best Television" DVD category, beating "Doctor Who Series 3", "Hogfather", and "Life on Mars".

The set received high praise for the judges for its completeness, packaging, and Andrew Pixley's accompanying book. The set is still available from Network, and a Blu-Ray edition is planned for the near future.

With thanks to Andrew Pixley for this news item.

PRISONER NOVELLIST DIES

Sad news has been reported over the weekend that Thomas M Disch, who wrote the first ever Prisoner tie-in novel ("The Prisoner" in 1969) has sadly committed suicide after suffering from depression for some time. He was 68.

Winning a Hugo award for one of his other works, which included the books "Camp Concentration" and "336", he was also nominated for a Nebula award and published poetry works and non-fiction in addition to his novels.

TUW would like to extend it's sympathies to all who knew him. Obituaries: Telegraph, Guardian.

With thanks to Brian Watson for this news item.

MISS FREEDOM FOR ALL

TUW is delighted to announce that aswell as special guests, screenings, a book launch, tour, auction, raffle, and other attractions, PM2008 on July 13th will also include yet another special feature.

Robert Fairclough will have with him a special limited edition version of the recently published "Prisoner" novel "Miss Freedom" by Andrew Cartmel.

The edition has been specially produced for the event, and each copy will be numbered and signed by Cartmel himself. The edition will also be discounted for attendees at only £10. Robert will also have with him a first public look at the 2009 official calendar (cover below). Tickets and details for PM2008 are available here.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A SIGNED MISS FREEDOM NOVEL.

WHO'S BACK IN THE VILLAGE

In 1976, a BBC film crew descended upon Portmeirion for filming of the "Doctor Who" story "The Masque of Mandragora", and following a plea from Who DVD producers 2|Entertain in the Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald for people present at filming to come forward, it looks as though a long-awaited DVD release of the story is due soon!

We could, however, wait as long as 2009 or later for the release, but it seems as though the DVD will include newly shot extras featuring Portmeirion (click on the image for the full article).

With thanks to SR for this news item.