Evergreen

94 EVERGREEN Autumn
Gadgets, such as the lighter which doubled
as a camera, were essential tools for Drake.
(continued)
the American networks. A second
series was not commissioned so
McGoohan pursued other projects
for the next three years.
The immense popularity of the
James Bond films in the early ’60s
no doubt prompted the decision
to revive Danger Man in 1964, with
extensive changes to the original
concept. From being an American
NATO agent, the new Drake spoke
with a British accent and worked
for M9 in the British Secret Service.
The character’s sports car from the
earlier series was replaced by an
inconspicuous Austin Mini Cooper.
Danger Man returned in October
1964 and the memorable new
opening sequence featured
McGoohan’s figure — shown briefly
in negative — walking towards the
camera. A sparkling harpsichord
theme tune “High Wire”, written by
Edwin Astley, accompanied both
opening and closing titles.
In the new series Drake’s
maturity had given him a greater
understanding of people, and
he rebelled against some of his
assignments sometimes clashing
with his deceitful and ruthless
M9 boss, Admiral Hobbs (Peter
Madden). Arguably the most
important change was the expansion
of episodes to 50 minutes. This
allowed for more complex storylines
and greater character development.
In 1964 Grade successfully sold
Danger Man to American television
reputedly for more than a million
pounds. There, the series was retitled
Secret Agent and given an additional
theme called “Secret Agent Man”
sung by Johnny Rivers.
The third and final series, filmed
mostly at Shepperton studios, began
in autumn 1965 and ended the
following April. After completing
two colour episodes in spring 1966,
McGoohan decided to quit his role
as John Drake. Although Danger Man
had made him an international star
and the highest-paid actor on British
television, he wanted to move on.
Throughout his time at NATO
and M9, Drake dealt with double
agents, assassins and defectors. He
was a highly skilled undercover
operative and to combat his enemies
he was an expert in the use of