The third episode of Sydney Newman’s spy series The Avengers, starring Ian Hendry and Patrick Macnee, airs on UK broadcaster ABC. This episode is now missing from the archives, but will be recreated in audio form in the 21st century by Big Finish Productions.
This synopsis is based upon the Big Finish audio adaptation of the original television script. The original episode’s master tape is lost and presumed destroyed. This audio adaptation can be found in Volume 1 of Big Finish’s The Avengers: The Lost Episodes series.
Steed’s superiors assign him to infiltrate a counterfeiting ring, impersonating a skilled counterfeiter who’s just been sprung from prison. He succeeds in getting inside the operation, but finds himself at the mercy of a vicious thug nicknamed “the Cardinal” (real name: Bishop). Desperately needing help from the outside world, Steed can only call on Dr. Keel and hope that he can provide an escape route…or at least a timely, if unwitting, distraction.
written by Richard Harris
directed by Don Leaver
music by Johnny Dankworth
Big Finish audio adaptation written by John Dorney
Big Finish audio adaptation directed by Ken Bentley
Big Finish audio adaptation music by Toby Hrycek-RobinsonOriginal television cast: Ian Hendry (Dr. Keel), Patrick Macnee (John Steed), Ingrid Hafner (Carol Wilson), Alex Scott (The Cardinal), Heron Carvic (Five), Cynthia Bizeray (Secretary), George Murcell (Hooper), John Woodvine (Bloom),
Delphi Lawrence (Lisa), Vic Wise (Warren)
Big Finish audio cast: Anthony Howell (Dr. Keel), Julian Wadham (John Steed), Lucy Briggs-Owen (Carol Wilson), Tim Bentinck (The Cardinal), Phil Mulryne (Five), Beth Chalmers (Secretary), Alan Cox (Hooper), George Rainsford (Warren), Kieran Bew (Steve), Blake Ritson (Tobert), Sophie Aldred (Lila)
LogBook entry by Earl Green