Reviews (18)

Pretty Despicable
The film almost totally ignores the sole surviving ancient historical account of Masada (contained in Josephus' "Jewish War") as well as the evidence found during modern excavations of the site in favor of presenting an almost wholly made up and, at times, tawdry melodrama. The only events in the film which come from the sole ancient source (Josephus) are the building of an inner wall of wood and earth for the fortress and its subsequent destruction by fire. All other events in the film are devices employed in the service of a fraudulent patriotic fantasy--as any legitimate scholar of the ancient world will attest. As pure drama, this film would not be so bad. Unfortunately, the film does not settle for that--it also claims to be actual history, and, on that scale, it fails miserably. Worse than only not informing, it actually misinforms its tabloid browsing, television "Movie of the Week" watching audience.

Get the 4-tape version, definitely
The major virtue of the hacked 1-tape version is that it inspired me to go get the real one.

This miniseries is one of the few historical epic TV series that is any good -- and strangely enough it is way more than "any good" -- it is superb. The two leads (Roman general and Zealot leader) are almost equally charismatic, compelling actors, though Peter O'Toole's trademark weary melancholy tends to steal the show. The supporting parts are solid. The writing is tight, wry, and literate. The scenery is convincing, the siege weaponry looks darned authentic.

I have a weakness for costume epics, and this is perhaps the all-time best... reasonably large in scale, very well-mounted, but best of all, very well written and acted. It feasts the eyes without insulting the intelligence.

The viciously cut 1-tape version is incoherent, of course, but by Hollywood standards it's still a pretty good film -- many mainstream movie directors can't be coherent even when they know they're working to a 120 min format. But do yourself a favour and get the complete edition.

Complete Masada Mini-series Available on 4 VHS!!
I bought my copy of the miniseries, MASADA. I just looked and I saw one copy from there. When I bought mine, I got it, factory sealed, from a seller called buy.com. I went to buy.com website and the movie is on back order but, hey, you've waited this long, right? I also see that www.moviesunlimited.com has it for sale; you will need: (item # 072787). I am looking to get mine put on DVD to preserve the video. I, too, remember watching it as a child and the indelible etching it left on my memory. I have watched all 394 minutes again as an adult and it is as huge and glorious as I remember it. I didn't even know an expurgated version exists - I can not imagine cutting even a minute from this perfect epic. It would be like cutting The "10 Commandments" or Homer.

Brilliant historical epic
Masada the mini-series was first shown in Australia on Network Ten in 1982 and then repeated once only a few years after its intital premiere. I was 10 years old when I first watched it back in 1982 and it has always lived in my memory up to today as a magnificent spectacle.

I doubt any remake would surpass the original, even with computer technology that is available today. With actors like Strauss and O'Toole, who would be able to surpass them for the characters that they portrayed.

Great Roman Siege, Story Shortened Egregiously
From a Latin teacher's viewpoint, this is great to demonstrate Roman siege techniques, but as compared to the uncut version, it is sadly lacking. I find myself constantly having to fill in information gleaned from the book and uncut version to make it coherent for my students. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Elvis Presley does the clam--a now-forgotten dance--in this 1964 potboiler in which the King stars as a singer who gets a gig in Ft. Lauderdale with his combo but has to baby-sit a mobster's teenage daughter (Shelley Fabares) as part of the deal. Fabares's character, looking for a break, runs wild and makes life difficult for Elvis. The film has the usual "Elvis movie" bounce and wolfish jokes and glossy disposability, but the endearing (and smart) presence of Fabares as the love interest adds a bit more zip than usual. Songs include the title track, plus "Puppet on a String," "Do Not Disturb," and "Let's Party Tonight." Directed by Boris Sagal (The Omega Man). --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Elvis Lite
What can be said of another formulaic Elvis Presley movie? The usual elements of music, romance, comedy, and exotic locations are present. The songs are typical light weight rock 'n roll fluff from the mid-sixties. Ultimately, the allure of this film is one's interest in Elvis Presley. As is well known, the mid-sixties were a creative wasteland in the career of one of the most remarkable musical entertainers ever. The iron-fisted control Colonel Tom Parker exerted over Elvis' career stifled Presley's creative impulses regarding movie roles. Parker's idea was to keep "my boy" before the public in an endless series of Grade B flicks targeted at teeny-boppers of all ages. Ironically, the concept was profitable, for a while. Dedicated Elvis fans, including me, flocked to the local movie theater to munch popcorn and hum along to the title song "Girl Happy," "Puppet on a String," and (dare I confess it?) "Do the Clam." Now I am almost fifty, I can admit these foibles without blushing.

"Girl Happy" is okay family entertainment. Artistically the film is in the same league with Doris Day movies and Jerry Lewis comedies. The romance aspects are mild enough to view with the kids. The comedy is clean, and the language always appropriate. The film is great for nostalgia buffs that remember early high school days and the entertainment options available for young adults. (Remember the Beach Party movies)? There is nothing remarkable about this movie, but it is harmless fun. It's sad to be reminded of the wasted opportunities of Elvis' career, but that is getting way too cerebral over a light weight movie such as "Girl Happy." Don't think about; just kick back and enjoy it.

My Favorite Elvis Movie!!
"Girl Happy"is the best and personally my favorite Elvis movie around.It's highly recommended and a must see!!

The best soundtrack of Elvis in the 60's
This movie is, to me, the best Elvis did in the 60's, surpassed only by Viva las Vegas. The soundtrack is great, the majority of the songs belongs to good old rock'n'roll, and the presence of Shelley Fabares is also exciting. In this movie is pure electricity between her and Elvis(the briiliant ending when Elvis, dressed in black, sings a reprise of the beautiful title song, and Shelley dances with him). The Meanest Girl in Town, I've got to find my Baby, Do the Clam, Startin'Tonight, Spring Fever and Puppet on a String are songs that reveals the true potential of the King, very far from the poor quality songs from Harum Scarum, Kissin'Cousins and others. It is a very entairtaining movie and in my country(Romania) still remains the most cherished Elvis's movie. I saw this film 20 times and I knew many people who likes to see it one more time.

Girl Happy proves fun for Elvis fans.
Okay, say what you want about Elvis Presley's movies, but some of them were actually a lot of fun. Girl Happy is one of those. Elvis and his band travel to Fort Lauderdale for the annual pilgramage of college students for spring break. He is there to perform at a local club and to keep an eye on Shelley Fabares, not a bad job. Fabares adds some extra zest to this forumulaic Elvis movie. The songs are pretty good too with the title track along with Cross My Heart Hope to Die, Puppet on a String and my favorite, Meanest Girl in Town in which Shelley shakes things up, literally. I remember going to the local theater when I was about 13 or 14 to see this movie, then I bought the soundtrack to it and played the grooves off the record. This movie is a lot of fun and can be pretty nostalgic as well as a bit of a piece of pop history.

FUN IN THE SUN
GIRL HAPPY features Shelley Fabares who herself had a number one hit record with JOHNNY ANGEL. There is a great scene where she sings while driving a car. She later starred in the ABC series COACH. Fabares and Elvis click on the big screen. The movie is like GREASE or the BEACH BLANKET BINGO movies or the ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW or BYE BYE BIRDIE. So if you liked those, you will like GIRL HAPPY. It has the usual Elvis routines: A fist fight, singing on stage, singing while driving a car, water skiing, riding a motocycle, and doing the Clam, a new dance that never quite caught on but which is fun to watch. Shelley Fabares and Mary Ann Mobley saunter on the beach and in the pool in their bikinis. GIRL HAPPY, indeed!

Uncle Festus (Jackie Coogan) from the Adams Family and Charlie Chaplin movies plays a policeman. The movie is a tongue in cheek take on the spring break movies. The plot and screenplay are adequate. The music is excellent although lyrically weak. The best song is PUPPET ON A STRING. The musical score is very good but the rest of the songs are merely MOVIE MUSIC such as Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and Wolf Call. But Elvis performs them well. They are tongue in cheek numbers.
GIRL HAPPY is entertaining. This version includes the ORIGINAL movie trailer. The picture quality and sound are excellent. This is not Elvis' best movie but it is a very good one from his MIDDLE PERIOD.

If you liked GREASE, you will like GIRL HAPPY. GIRL HAPPY is an enjoyable movie. Elvis sounds great toting a canary yellow Fender Telecaster guitar with a Bigsby tremolo bar. In VIVA LAS VEGAS, Elvis played a sunburst Fender Stratocaster.

See why Elvis was the artist of the century and why TV GUIDE named Elvis Entertainer of the Century. Elvis could do it all. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Man from uncle are great
The first one is a little more wild than i like but the second on is the best I have seen.They are great guys I like it that the good guys always win at the end.

George Sanders steals Vol 2 in great dichotomous style
Why 5 stars you may ask? This volume really shows us the dichotomy that existed between the First and Second Seasons of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." television series. "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." was a great extension of the James Bond cinematic phenomena created in the 60s. "The Gazebo in the Maze Affair" and the follow-up "The Yukon Affair" couldn't be more different in tone. But that's what made this series so dynamic. George Sanders steals both episodes.

An UNCLE classic
The first show on this video is the sparkling Gazebo in the Maze affair, featuring the talented George Sanders as Squire G. Emory Partridge. This one is a classic example of how good this show was to begin with. The dialogue is crisp, and not to be missed are Jeanette Nolan's wacky Edith Partridge and Leo G. Carroll in biking attire! Written by Dean Hargrove, who should've done more episodes, this one has the kind of dialogue in it that made the show so popular. Illya is kidnapped by the Squire, who has a grudge against UNCLE, and it's Napoleon to the rescue (well, sort of, since he promptly gets captured as well). The classic line from this one is when they are escaping through the maze, while being chased by a gamekeeper and a very large, nasty looking wolf. When the gamekeeper accidentally is attacked by the wolf, Illya murmurs, "bon appetit!" Definitely a keeper!

The second title brings back the squire, minus his wife, for a less clever episode. It's okay, but it definitely lacks the sparkle of the first. However, Illya manages to kiss the cute little Eskimo, and both agents wind up in the hospital. Not as clever or as imaginative as the Gazebo affair, but not as silly as some of the third season episodes, either.

Gazebo in the Maze and Yukon Affair
Though "The Gazebo in the Maze Affair" and "The Yukon Affair" are something like a two part episode, "The Gazebo in the Maze Affair" appeared in UNCLE's first season while "The Yukon Affair" appeared in UNCLE's second season. If you read on you'll find out why I'm only giving this volume only 3 stars.

Episode 27 "The Gazebo in the Maze Affair": A long time ago, Napoleon and Illya stopped the plan of Squire G. Emory Partridge (George Sanders) to control a small country in South America. Now he wants revenge. He kidnaps Illya and lures Napoleon to his manor in Eastsnout. He captures Napoleon and wants to have Napoleon and Illya convince Mr. Waverly come to Eastsnout to try to bring UNCLE down. They refuse though and Partridge, together with his wife Edith (Jeanette Nolan), torture Napoleon and Illya. Peggy Durance (Bonnie Franklin) helps them escape fortunately. The only thing is, the dungeon is right in the center of a maze in which it is filled with all sorts of deadly traps.* Great episode with a great plot. In the second season of UNCLE, they made it so Partridge returned again, in The Yukon Affair. I definitely prefer this first one with Partridge though. The part when Napoleon, Illya, and Peggy are trying to get out of the maze is really exciting, especially with Partridge, his henchman, and a wolf looking for them.

Episode 43 "The Yukon Affair": Sqire G. Emory Partridge (George Sanders) has returned and has acquired in Alaska a large quantity of Quadrillenium X, a very heavy metal with high magnetic powers which THRUSH wants. Napoleon and Illya are sent there to try to stop him but are immediately captured by Eskimos, but are saved by the chief's daughter Murphy (Tianne Gabrielle). Partridge and his niece Victoria (Marion Thompson) again capture them though. Will Napoleon and Illya be able to escape and find the cache of Quadrillenium X? * Weak and stupid plot, not very high up in my list of favorite UNCLE episodes. The scene in the beginning where Illya and Napoleon are in UNCLE headquarters is the best part of the whole episode, the rest is just too silly.

George Sanders returns twice as G. Emory Partridge
Volume 2 in the "Man from U.N.C.L.E." video collection features George Sanders as that most urbane bad guy, G. Emory Partridge in a pair of episodes from 1965. First up is "The Gazebo in the Maze Affair" (Episode #27: April 5, 1965), where it turns out that Partridge has not really been dead these seven years since last the boys saw him. Partridge kidnaps Kuryakin as a trap for Solo, with the aid of his strange but deadly wife, marvelously played by Jeanette Nolan. Dean Hargrove and Antony Ellis wrote the script for this above average episode, based on a story by Ellis, while Alf Kjellin was the director. Partridge returns in "The Yukon Affair" (Episode 43: December 24, 1965), although I am sad to report Mrs. Partridge does not make an appearance this time around. Like most sequels it is somewhat disappointing, especially since Sanders and Nolan were such an interesting tag team. Anyhow, Partridge tries to kill Solo with a big rock and then Waverly sends the boys off to the Yukon to track him down. While this certainly gives a whole new meaning to the idea of the Cold War, this is an okay episode that is just not as good as "Gazebo." In both of them the cheif charm is the way Sanders proceeds to do his evil deeds with such charm and grace. Marc Siegel wrote the "Yukon" episode, which was also directed by Kjellin. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

ANGELA starring Sophia Loren
This movie is in English and stars Sophia Loren as a mother who's baby boy is kidnapped by gangsters. She searches for him endlessly. Years later she begins to come alive again after she meets a charming younger man. They fall in love and begin an affair .......then they discover that he is her son. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not too hot
"The Gurnius Affair" guest-starred future "Laugh-In"
Sock It to Me gal Judy Carne, but it lacks the lustre which
boosted the popularity of this fad series. "The Master's Voice
Affair" is a typical third-year turkey which forecasted the way
for this show's eventual demise.

Judy Carne and the her master's voice affair
Judy Carne guest stars as professional photographer Terry Cook in the Year 4 offering "The Gurnious Affair" which features a takeover the world theme.Illya really let his hair grow in season 4 and is really trying to be ruthless as a military man impersonator.Judy carne's outfits in the episode really fit her style.
"The Her Master's Voice Affair" is a 3rd season offering in which Estelle Winwood plays Miss Partridge who tries to control her girl students at a private school through Brahms lullaby and it throws into a murderous state of mind.Illya is assigned to tutor and protect an Oriental man's daughter played by Victoria Young who develops a crush on Illya.Victoria Young falls from a rail in the house into Illya's arms kissing his face and he's ready to give her a spanking.Even while they watch a romantic movie she wishes Illya would kiss her like that.Talk about teenage girl crushes on adult men. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Elvis Lite
What can be said of another formulaic Elvis Presley movie? The usual elements of music, romance, comedy, and exotic locations are present. The songs are typical light weight rock 'n roll fluff from the mid-sixties. Ultimately, the allure of this film is one's interest in Elvis Presley. As is well known, the mid-sixties were a creative wasteland in the career of one of the most remarkable musical entertainers ever. The iron-fisted control Colonel Tom Parker exerted over Elvis' career stifled Presley's creative impulses regarding movie roles. Parker's idea was to keep "my boy" before the public in an endless series of Grade B flicks targeted at teeny-boppers of all ages. Ironically, the concept was profitable, for a while. Dedicated Elvis fans, including me, flocked to the local movie theater to munch popcorn and hum along to the title song "Girl Happy," "Puppet on a String," and (dare I confess it?) "Do the Clam." Now I am almost fifty, I can admit these foibles without blushing.

"Girl Happy" is okay family entertainment. Artistically the film is in the same league with Doris Day movies and Jerry Lewis comedies. The romance aspects are mild enough to view with the kids. The comedy is clean, and the language always appropriate. The film is great for nostalgia buffs that remember early high school days and the entertainment options available for young adults. (Remember the Beach Party movies)? There is nothing remarkable about this movie, but it is harmless fun. It's sad to be reminded of the wasted opportunities of Elvis' career, but that is getting way too cerebral over a light weight movie such as "Girl Happy." Don't think about; just kick back and enjoy it.

My Favorite Elvis Movie!!
"Girl Happy"is the best and personally my favorite Elvis movie around.It's highly recommended and a must see!!

The best soundtrack of Elvis in the 60's
This movie is, to me, the best Elvis did in the 60's, surpassed only by Viva las Vegas. The soundtrack is great, the majority of the songs belongs to good old rock'n'roll, and the presence of Shelley Fabares is also exciting. In this movie is pure electricity between her and Elvis(the briiliant ending when Elvis, dressed in black, sings a reprise of the beautiful title song, and Shelley dances with him). The Meanest Girl in Town, I've got to find my Baby, Do the Clam, Startin'Tonight, Spring Fever and Puppet on a String are songs that reveals the true potential of the King, very far from the poor quality songs from Harum Scarum, Kissin'Cousins and others. It is a very entairtaining movie and in my country(Romania) still remains the most cherished Elvis's movie. I saw this film 20 times and I knew many people who likes to see it one more time.

Girl Happy proves fun for Elvis fans.
Okay, say what you want about Elvis Presley's movies, but some of them were actually a lot of fun. Girl Happy is one of those. Elvis and his band travel to Fort Lauderdale for the annual pilgramage of college students for spring break. He is there to perform at a local club and to keep an eye on Shelley Fabares, not a bad job. Fabares adds some extra zest to this forumulaic Elvis movie. The songs are pretty good too with the title track along with Cross My Heart Hope to Die, Puppet on a String and my favorite, Meanest Girl in Town in which Shelley shakes things up, literally. I remember going to the local theater when I was about 13 or 14 to see this movie, then I bought the soundtrack to it and played the grooves off the record. This movie is a lot of fun and can be pretty nostalgic as well as a bit of a piece of pop history.

FUN IN THE SUN
GIRL HAPPY features Shelley Fabares who herself had a number one hit record with JOHNNY ANGEL. There is a great scene where she sings while driving a car. She later starred in the ABC series COACH. Fabares and Elvis click on the big screen. The movie is like GREASE or the BEACH BLANKET BINGO movies or the ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW or BYE BYE BIRDIE. So if you liked those, you will like GIRL HAPPY. It has the usual Elvis routines: A fist fight, singing on stage, singing while driving a car, water skiing, riding a motocycle, and doing the Clam, a new dance that never quite caught on but which is fun to watch. Shelley Fabares and Mary Ann Mobley saunter on the beach and in the pool in their bikinis. GIRL HAPPY, indeed!

Uncle Festus (Jackie Coogan) from the Adams Family and Charlie Chaplin movies plays a policeman. The movie is a tongue in cheek take on the spring break movies. The plot and screenplay are adequate. The music is excellent although lyrically weak. The best song is PUPPET ON A STRING. The musical score is very good but the rest of the songs are merely MOVIE MUSIC such as Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and Wolf Call. But Elvis performs them well. They are tongue in cheek numbers.
GIRL HAPPY is entertaining. This version includes the ORIGINAL movie trailer. The picture quality and sound are excellent. This is not Elvis' best movie but it is a very good one from his MIDDLE PERIOD.

If you liked GREASE, you will like GIRL HAPPY. GIRL HAPPY is an enjoyable movie. Elvis sounds great toting a canary yellow Fender Telecaster guitar with a Bigsby tremolo bar. In VIVA LAS VEGAS, Elvis played a sunburst Fender Stratocaster.

See why Elvis was the artist of the century and why TV GUIDE named Elvis Entertainer of the Century. Elvis could do it all. ... Read more

Description

By Percy MacKaye. In a 17th century Massachusetts town, a scarecrow is magically transformed into a man and charged with the mission of destroying true love. Spectacular performances by two-time OscarÂn a 17th century Massachusetts town, a scarecrow is magically transformed into a man and charged with the mission of destroying true love. Spectacular performances by two-time Oscar®-nominee Gene Wilder (Young Frankenstein, The Producers)and Tony® Award-winner Blythe Danner (Butterflies Are Free). Also starring Norman Lloyd and Will Geer (The Waltons). ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wonderful
An adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Feathertop", this play brings to life all the elements of that short-story. I performed as "Polly" (alias "Rachel" in the play) & its wonderful to see it dramatized.

Scarecrow: A welcomed gem returns after 32 years...
What a pleasure to revisit this first-rate production after its 30 years in obscurity. Funny, serious and haunting "Scarecrow" is the colorful tale of a bewitched scarecrow, falsely disguised as the image of true love, and the awakening of his heart's desire to seek and claim his soul as his own.
This production is worth viewing just to enjoy Gene Wilder's compelling and earlier performances and he is joined by an impressive cast.
Pete Duel, as the real image of true love, provides important balance as the story's sole voice of truth and reason to Blythe Danner's spellbound maiden and Wilder's beguiling scarecrow. Will Geer as the central target of Norman Lloyd's Devil and his disciple, Nina Foch, are all perfection and terrific fun.

Oh my god!
I've been looking for this for years! I'm so happy that it's finally available! I saw the Scarecrow when I was a kid and it made a tremendous impression on me (it also made me cry buckets). Can't wait to order copies for everyone. Hope it's as good as I remember! Yay! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

U.N.C.L.E. family fun...
THE MAN from U.N.C.L.E. was one of the '60's most popular shows.
Robert Vaughn and David McCallum essayed the "We Spy" team of Napoleon Solo and Illa Kuryakin. Leo G. Carroll--formerly of TOPPER fame--was UN spy master who sent them off to weekly
adventures parodying 007 films which had captured imaginations of the cinema-watching world. Despite "cool head" humor of both Vaughn and McCallum, and appealing sang froid/savoir faire they brought to their characters, the material now strikes as dated in many instances. Not so VOLUME 1. THE STRIGAS AFFAIR,is U.N.C.L.E. at its witty best. Along with genuinely clever plot twists to ensnare war-mongering Werner Klemperer(Colonel Klink of HOGAN'S HEROES),there is a typical series gimmick of featuring classy guest stars. In this instance, William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy of STAR TREK fame.

Episode 2,THE NEVER-NEVER AFFAIR is also serious fun with Barbara Feldon (Agent 99)of GET SMART facing-off against THRUSH, U.N.C.L.E. series' SPECTRE clone led --this time--by Caesar Romero. Some think the best of the BOND spy parodies was OUR MAN FLINT. Some think it was--and remain--Peter Sellers' Jacques Clousea, PINK PANTHER adventures. It's a debate of weight to be sure. Nevertheless: if you were a series fan; thought you were one; or wanted to be part of the U.N.C.L.E. family; Volume I is...in my estimate...a blank-filled, but on target sure-shot.

a great review for a great show!
If you love action, twists, and humor all rolled into one, get this video!! The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 1 is a great example of how the 60s reinvented cool! In this volume, the episodes are "The Project Strigas Affair" and "The Never Never Affair".

In the "Project Strigas Affair" William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy delight us with their first great performance together.(even though they were only in a couple scenes together)The episode sorta has a "Mission Impossible" feel to it. It's full of twists and schemes. We also see Illya test out some of his disguises! A must see!

"The Never Never Affair" has to be my FAVORITE episode of the whole series! In this episode Barbara Feldon (Agent 99 on "Get Smart") guest stars as the innocent Many Stevenson who longs for the glamour and excitment of espionage. Mandy bugs Napoleon to his breaking point, but instead of a real mission he gives her a fake one with the "Evasion Pattern Eight".(You sorta feel sorry for the girl.)He gives her a humadore(spelling?) and tells her to ask a guy at the tobbaco store to open it. Of course, she misleads a scientest into thinking she is a real courier and is handed a microdot(which she cleverly hides). This episode shows how they used humor in the series. My favorite parts were 1.)When Illya and Napoleon go into the movie theater and shoot it out with THRUSH, a guy gets shot and stands in front of someone. The person goes, "Hey, Down in front!"(the dead guy falls into a seat), "Thanks!" 2.)When Mandy goes throughout the streets thinking she's a REAL spy.3.) When Cesar Romero questions her on what the humadore is: CR:"It looks like a hum. and even smells like a hum., what is it?" MS:"Um, ah..humadore?(laughs)" 4.) The Over- The-Shoulder shot!
To make this simple(too late) get this video! You won't be disappointed!

One Of The Best One
This Is the best that i have seen.
Soom of the others i would just like one on the videos but i love them all

The Project Strigas Affair and The Never Never Affair
"The Project Strigas Affair" and "The Never Never Affair" are what I think are the best episodes in all of UNCLE's episodes. You just have to watch these two episodes if you love "Man from UNCLE".

Episode 9 "The Project Strigas Affair": Though usually UNCLE doesn't get involved in politics, Mr. Waverly asks Napoleon and Illya to make some 'diabolical scheme' to bring down a certain Balkan intelligence chief Kurasov (Werner Klemperer), who is trying to enflame America and U.S.S.R. tensions. Kurasov's assistant is (Leonard Nimoy). Napoleon and Illya (him disguised as a KGB spy), with the help of bankrupt couple, (William Shatner and Peggy Ann Garner), make up a fictional gas to catch Kurasov's attention: the gas named Strigas. * This has one of the best plots of all the UNCLE episodes. There are plenty of twists and turns, humor when needed, yet serious at some places. This is another episode of many which shows Illya as the master of disguises. This is the first time for the secondary villain, Woodrow Parfey, to play in the Man from UNCLE show. He would be playing in many more episodes in the time to come. This is also the first time for Star Trek William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy to act together. One of my favorite parts in the show is when says, "But that's absolutely diabolical," to which Napoleon replies, smiling, "We try."

Episode 25 "The Never Never Affair": Mandy Stevenson (Barbara Feldon) is an UNCLE Portuguese translator who wants excitement. Napoleon Solo feels sorry for her so he send her out on a fake mission to get Waverly's tobacco and Mandy mistakenly takes an important microfilm that THRUSH is after. Napoleon and Illya search the streets looking for her before THRUSH gets to her. Eventually, Mandy and Napoleon are caught by THRUSH leader Victor Gervais (Cesar Romero). The only thing is, the microfilm is on a microdot and Mandy has hidden it so well that THRUSH can't find it!* I love, love, love this episode! Everyone's great in here; Robert Vaughn, David McCallum, and especially Barbara Feldon as Mandy Stevenson. She's great! The plot is good, everyone's acting is good, and it's so funny, yet serious where it's supposed to be. Here are a couple of my favorite parts. 1) When Mandy tries to convince Napoleon to give her a mission and Napoleon gives the fake mission and 'evasion pattern number 8', which is a fictional route. 2) When Napoleon tries to explain to Mr. Waverly and Illya about sending Mandy on a fake mission. Especially when Mr. Waverly asks what route she's going by and Napoleon says, "Evasion Pattern 6". The look on Mr. Waverly and Illya's faces are so funny! 3) In the beginning when Illya's trying to get away from THRUSH. 4) When Victor Gervais is trying to convince Mandy to tell him where the microdot is. She tells him, "Let me warn you. I don't crack under pressure." He says, "Not at all?" Mandy replies, "Not... noticeably, no." And basically the rest of the show is great.

Napoleon Solo uses Captain Kirk & 99 to help save the world!
Whoever put together Volume 1 in the "Man From U.N.C.L.E." Collection apparently decided the classic spy spoof series of the Sixties could not be marketed on its own merits and offers a pair of episodes featuring future television icons William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy from "Star Trek" and Barbara Feldon from "Get Smart." However, that does not take away from the surprising discovery that these are two of the best episodes from the show's first season. "The Project Strigas Affair" (Episode #9: November 24, 1964), finds Shatner and Peggy Ann Garner as a couple who are recruited for Napoleon Solo's scheme to stop a diplomat, played by Werner Kemperer of "Hogan's Heroes" fame, who is trying to heat up the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Technically Shatner and Nimoy are in some scenes "together," but they do not really act together. Still, this is there first appearance on screen together. This episode was written by Henry Misrock and directed by Joseph Sargent.

In "The Never-Never Affair" (Episode #25: March 22, 1965), Feldon plays Mandy Stevenson, a translator at U.N.C.L.E. who wants excitement and gets more than she bargained for. Solo sends her out to get more pipe tobacco for Mr. Waverly, but tells her it is a secret mission. Of course she ends up with a microdot containing key information about THRUSH., which means bad guy Victor Gervais (Cesar Romero, the Joker on "Batman") is after poor Mandy. "The Never-Never Affair" is one of the best lighthearted episodes from the series, although Illya Kuryakin again gets little to do. Also directed by Sargent, this was writer Dean Hargrove's first "U.N.C.L.E." episode. Here we have one of the few times Volume 1 of a video collection of a television series actually has nothing but great episodes on it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Doesn't have the greatest of plots, but still fun to watch!
Volume 5 has episodes "The Off-Broadway Affair" and "The Take Me To Your Leader Affair", both which appeared on Man from UNCLE's third season. The Man from UNCLE series is one of my favorite TV series ever to watch! But I must confess, these episodes do not have great plot (thus the 3 stars) but still I love the episodes! Lots of funny parts! The main characters are Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn, "Bullit" and "The Magnificent Seven") and favorite the enigmatic and quiet Russian, Illya Kuryakin played to perfection by actor David McCallum (another great movie with him is "The Great Escape").

Episode 69 "The Off-Broadway Affair": When an off-broadway actress is killed after trying to contact UNCLE, Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) are sent to investigate. They feel that the murdered actress had information about how THRUSH has recently been getting information through UNCLE's main computers. With the help of understudy, Janet Jarrod (Shari Lewis), they go up against THRUSH agents Machina (Leon Askin) and Linda (Joan Huntington) before anymore of UNCLE's valuable information is stolen. * A so-so episode with fun Shari Lewis, who I'm sure everyone knows her from her TV show, "Lamb Chops". We get to see her sing "All God's Children Have Rhythm" and watch her perform the song "Stand Up and March". And what a surprise, we get to see David McCallum perform his own show "A Man is a Horn" while he is working undercover! Lots of funny lines throughout the whole show, my favorite is in the beginning where Illya says, "I seems a trifle unfair Napoleon. You get to dally around with a lush, young actress while I go prowling around in a dirty basement." But the reason this episode is so-so is because of some parts in the plot which were pretty stupid.

Episode 75 "The Take Me to Your Leader Affair": Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin are sent to scientist Adrian Cool's (Woodrow Parfrey) whose instruments are pointing out that a UFO is approaching the earth! When his daughter, Coco (Nancy Sinatra, the great Frank Sinatra's daughter), is kidnapped along with Illya by power-mad millionaire Simon Sparrow (Paul Lambert), it's up to Napoleon Solo to learn why. With the help of Corinne (Whitney Blake), Napoleon learns that Sparrow is going had faked the approaching UFO to secure power for himself. * Another episode which lacks plot, I still love it for some really great parts. UNCLE regular Woodrow Parfey this time gets to play the good guy. I really like all the parts with Illya and Coco. Coco flirts a lot and gets to kiss him! And for David McCallum fans, I'm sure you'll be interested to find that he gets to play the guitar, plus perform a duet with Sinatra the song which he wrote himself! And, of course, not only does Illya get the girl, Napoleon gets his own girl, the very pretty Whitney Blake.

Horrific stuff!
Both episodes were horrible, pure examples why the show went down the drain. Forget the guest stars. They don't save the episodes' silly quality. Save your cash.

The Off-Broadway and Take Me To Your Leader Affairs
In "The Off-Broadway Affair", UNCLE's arch-enemy, THRUSH, has found a way to infiltrate their top secret computer files and wreak havoc with the information they have discovered. Can a musical performance by Illya and help from an aspiring actress (Shari Lewis) save the day or is UNCLE doomed?

In "The Take Me To Your Leader Affair", a unappreciated astronomer discovers an asteroid hurling towards the earth. Napoleon and Illya are deployed to deal with the situation, but Illya is captured while trying to save the scientist's kidnapped daughter (Nancy Sinatra). Features a great singing duet. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Terrific first season episodes!
Volume 17 has episodes "The Quadripartite Affair" and "The Giuoco Piano Affair", both which appeared on Man from UNCLE's first season and are one of the first episodes. The Man from UNCLE series is one of my favorite TV series ever to watch! The main characters are Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn, "Bullit" and "The Magnificent Seven") and my favorite the enigmatic and quiet Russian, Illya Kuryakin played to perfection by actor David McCallum (another great movie with him is "The Great Escape").

EPISODE 3 "THE QUADRIPARTITE AFFAIR": In Yugoslavia, Marion Raven's (Jill Ireland) father is killed because of his discovery of a plot to overthrow governments with the use of a fear gas. Gervaise Ravel (Anne Francis) and Harold Buffington (John Van Dreelen) are behind the plot and have Marion to be watched. Also working for them is Colonel Adam Pattner, (Richard Anderson, from "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "The Bionic Woman" series). Solo and Illya are assigned to find out where the fear gas is being made and to destroy it along with the help of Marion and native Yugoslavian Millan Horth (Roger C. Carmel).

Great episode and this is the first Man from UNCLE tape that I bought. Illya Kuryakin fans will most definitely love this episode since he gets to do a lot, plus he gets a love interest. The thing is that Marion, Jill Ireland, is in real life David McCallum's wife (though unfortunately she doesn't seem to act or do very well in this episode). Besides this episode, she will later on play in also "The Tiger Are Coming Affair" and "The Five Daughters Affair". And since this affair was supposed to be a two-parter with "The Giuoco Piano Affair" but was made into two separate episodes, she will return in her role as Marion Raven along with the same villains Ravel and Bufferton. We also get to see May Featherly as the beautiful UNCLE agent Heather McNabb, who occasionally appeared on UNCLE's first season episodes, one example "The Neptune Affair".

EPISODE 7, "THE GIUOCO PIANO AFFAIR": Gervaise Ravel (Anne Francis) and Harold Buffington (John Van Dreelen) are back again and on the run. UNCLE wants to get them once and for all. Napoleon concocts a plan to use Marion Raven (Jill Ireland) as bait for them. At first Marion is dead set against it but with a little persuasion from Illya (she really does like him!), agrees to help. According to plan, Marion is kidnapped by Ravel and Buffington to be used as a bait to get the UNCLE agents. Of course Napoleon and Illya are ready to catch the crooks and save Marion.

In my opinion, I like this episode better then The Quadripartite Affair. The title of this episode comes from the chess move called the Giuoco Piano where the players force the Queen to make her move (but of coures the White Knight, Illya, comes to the rescue!!!).Jill Ireland does a much better job in this episode, acts her parts just right and says her lines to perfection. She plays a little stronger role, especially in the beginning where she argues with Illya. Throughout the whole episode you can tell she's trying very hard to get Illya's attention! The humor is great and some of the best scenes are both the beginning and end party scenes at Marion's apartment. Some of the guests you can tell are Richard Donner (UNCLE director as a drunk), Norman Felton (UNCLE creator as a chess player), Sam Rolfe (UNCLE pilot scriptwriter as a Texan) and associate producer Joseph Calvelli (UNCLE writer as a writer). When asked how it felt to direct himself, Richard Donner said with a tongue-in-cheek answer, "I was the most versatile actor I've ever worked with" (trivia from "The man from UNCLE book" by John Heitland).

I very much highly recommend this Man from UNCLE Volume 17. For other good first season episodes, I also recommend Volume 1 which includes "The Project Strigas Affair" and "The Never Never Affair". Volume 3 has also two very good second season episode's included, "The Deadly Toys Affair" and "The Minus X Affair". But I should say that all of UNCLE's episodes are good!

Illya and Napoleon try to stop Harold and Gervaise
Volume 17 of the "Man from U.N.C.L.E." videotape series contains a pair of first-rate episodes from the first season, both directed by Richard Donner. Actually, it is a two-part story, but the two parts did not come in consecutive episode, which is certainly a nice touch. "The Quadripartite Affair" (#3, October 6, 1964), is the first episode where Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) takes the lead. Four conspirators are trying to seize power in an Eastern European country. Gervaise Ravel (Anne Francis) and Harold Buffington (John Van Dreelen) are the couple running the plan, while McCallum's then wife, Jill Ireland, plays Marion Raven, the innocent young woman caught up in the whole thing. Illya has to over come a fear-inducing gas and while he does derail the plot, the evil couple escapes. The fight continues in "The Giuoco Piano Affair" (#7, November 10, 1964), and is actually the better of the two episodes. Certainly it is the funnier of the pair, especially since Marion gets to have an adventure with Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn), while still being sweet on Illya, as his partner tries to finish off the villainous love birds. Meanwhile, Harold and Gervaise are having their own problems since he thinks she does not love him as much as he loves her, even though he finances all her evil plans. You have to love master criminals with marital problems. This is also my favorite title in the series; it refers to the gambit in chess where you force an opponent to move out their Queen. Of course, it describes the plot perfectly, but it is also just a very neat idea. In these episodes everything just clicks.

The Quadripartite Affair and The Giuco Piano Affair
These two episodes were at first going to be made into a two parter but was changed to two different episodes. The two episodes has lots of Illya and his former wife, Jill Ireland. Their both great, and so is Napoleon. I love the party scenes at Marion Raven's (played by Jill Ireland) house in the Giuco Piano Affair!

These episodes for any Illya fan!
The Quadripartite Affair and the Giuoco Piano Affair is a must see! For those who love Illya will enjoy them. Jill Ireland is very funny in the Giuodo Piano affair. I love the party scenes! You'll laugh at the funny parts!

not the best but better than average
These two episodes were filmed and telecast as separate episodes but fit easily into one two-hour show as they were filmed to be released as a two-hour theatrical film. While they don't represent the best efforts of the first season, which was clearly the show's best, they are nevertheless superior to anything in the second and third seasons and much of the fourth. The best scene is Solo's attempt to track Ann Francis on a yacht during a party. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

7 wonders--terrible directing
The director of the fourth UNCLE season wanted the show to return to a serious vein after the much-too-silly third season. He went too far in the other direction, however, and ruined it completely. There is no banter between the stars whatsoever. The camera angles are absolutely ridiculous. The scenes are agonizingly drawn out to fill the two hours. UNCLE was pure gold in the beginning, and hugely popular. The network should have known that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The Last Episode: "The Seven Wonders Of The World Affair"
In one of history's great letdowns, "The Man From UNCLE" series ended with this two-part depressant. It seemed as though the entire crew and cast of UNCLE simply gave up before this episode was even filmed.

First, the plot is ridiculous: a former UNCLE agent decides to create a cultish sect, headquarter it in the Himalayas, and, together with six other intellectual "wonders of the world", blanket the planet with a docility gas, through which these seven can control the actions of everyone. Why did UNCLE even bother getting involved? Because the villain slips through the plot holes, thereby coming very close to pulling off his dastardly plan.

Horrible acting abounds, especially from the auxiliary cast. There isn't enough material in the story to justify a two-part episode. The teaser to "Part I" is enough to drive one into the bathroom. Through nauseating use of the wide-angle lens, the wife of the wayward UNCLE agent rescues a THRUSH agent hopelessly trapped in the upper level of a mansion. Not only do the wife and THRUSH agent escape, but Solo and Kuryakin's car is destroyed by a remote-controlled, window-mounted missile launcher in the mansion. Please.

Because this is the final UNCLE episode, "Seven Wonders" falls into the fourth season of the series, during which drastic facelifts were applied to the series. In the hands of Season Four producer Anthony Spinner, UNCLE, which had previously enjoyed wacky antics akin to "Get Smart". Spinner wanted no part of this, and threw UNCLE in the cold storage room to harden it up for the fourth and suicidally-final season. Humor was basically excommunicated for the season, and it kicks off right away with "The Summit-Five Affair" (a man's brain is destroyed during the teaser). By the time "Seven Wonders" rolled around, this formula was well-absorbed into the UNCLE schema. Plot and dialogue, therefore, really don't matter in these episodes. The morbid music, combined with desolate scenes of a weary, bombed-out Solo staggering through the Himalayas, only to be apprehended by THRUSH and sentenced to death; and the final scene, during which (here come the spoilers....oops, too late) the coffin of the wayward UNCLE agent is loaded onto a plane, thus ending the episode, and, sadly, the series.

"Seven Wonders" is an important UNCLE episode, if for no other reason than because it is the last one, but it leaves a sour, depressed, disheartened taste in the mouth. Buy at your own risk. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

US only!
The movie-length episodes on this one are great, so much so I had one imported to my house in England (cause you can't get U.N.C.L.E stuff over here). Watch out though, one of the episodes was turned into a TV movie and is often shown on TNT... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Science fiction took a grim turn in the 1970s--the heyday of Agent Orange, nuclear peril, and Watergate. Suddenly, most of our possible futures took on a "last man on Earth" flavor, with The Omega Man topping the doom-struck heap.

Charlton Heston plays the government researcher behind the ultimate biological weapon, a deadly plague that has ravaged humanity. There are two groups of survivors: a dwindling band of immune humans and an infected, psychopathic mob of light-hating quasi-vampires. The infected are led by Mathias, a clever, charismatic man set on destroying the last remnants of the civilization that produced the plague. Heston has a vaccine--but he and the few remaining normals are outnumbered and outgunned. By day, he builds a makeshift version of the nuclear family (with Rosalind Cash as his afro-wearing, gun-toting little lady). They plan for the future while roaming freely through an empty urban landscape, taking what few pleasures life has left. By night, they defend themselves against the growing horde of plague victims. Both a bittersweet romance and a gothic cautionary tale, The Omega Man paints a convincing portrait of hope and despair. It ain't pretty, but it's a great movie. --Grant Balfour ... Read more

Reviews (101)

Neville's Epitaph
A handful of SciFi movies from the 70s still have a message worth re-examining and the cast, sets, and music worth another view. Charlton Heston was in three of those movies, Planet of the Apes, Soylent Green, and last but not least Omega Man. Don't miss any of them. All three are now available on DVD and well worth adding to your library. Heston did an excellent job portraying Neville in Omega Man. A man who believes all healthy people are dead after a biological war. He lives alone in a penthouse fortress armed to the teeth. He finds a small community of a woman, a young man, and mostly children that are not infected yet. He must battle those that are infecteded to continue the human race. His blood is immune from the disease because of an experiamental drug he used during the holocaust. Can he develop enough serum in time to help them? Those infected use medieval weapons since they believe that Neville's technological weapons are part of the evil that brought about the holocaust of a biological war. Although the clothes and effects show their age it is still a movie well worth seeing. If it was remade today the message would not change much. In fact the age of the movie gives people a view of some of the clothes, furnishings, cars, and music from the era it was made. The quality of the DVD color and sound are great and it includes several extras.

Hippie Science Fiction.
It is the height of irony that Chuck Heston, who has recently raised the ire of numerous liberal do-gooders for his arch-conservative stances on issues such as gun control, was the star of counter culture sci-fi flicks of the late 60's and early 70's: Planet of the Apes, Soylent Green, and this classic, The Omega Man.

"The Man" has screwed up and destroyed mankind with his weapons of mass destruction. All that remains is a scientist (Heston) who discovered a vaccine against the deadly virus that has either killed people or turned them into mutant psychopaths. Also alive are a handful of children and a couple of adult free spirits; but unless they are vaccinated they will turn into mutants with time. ("Don't trust anyone over 30!") Can the Omega Man use his blood as a vaccine to save what is left of mankind? Can the Omega Man survive the night when all the mutants come out to try and kill him?

This is a fun movie! Sure "The Omega Man" is dated; but that is part of its charm: the music, the clothes, and those afros. Some parts are priceless such as sight of Chuck Heston watching the movie "Woodstock" and knowing all the dialogue by heart. Or a black mutant trying to convince the head mutant, Anthony Zerbe, to allow him to use artillery to blast Heston out of his "honky paradise." (On a serious note: This movie did feature one of the first interracial movie romances in which race is considered inconsequential.) Heston is at his hammy best here, and he does utter his trademark line: "Oh, my God!" The ending is a hoot with Chuck as Christ- "The blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven."

"I was like Charleton Heston in "The Omega Man." Beauty movie, eh?"- Strange Brew

chuck heston battles zombie cultists!!
why are you still reading this?! chuck heston battles zombie cultists!! it don't get no better than that! order this NOW!

"the conclusion of all our yesterdays"
Based on Richard Matheson's "I Am Legend", which was recommended to Charlton Heston by Orson Welles, and one that Heston was inspired to make into a film, is a truly creepy sci-fi/horror classic. Heston is marvelous as Colonel Robert Neville, a scientist who is immune to the plague that resulted from biological warfare, due to an experimental vaccine he injected himself with.

The survivors infected with the plague are hooded mutants that cannot see in the daylight, and are bent in destroying all the attributes of civilization that remain on earth, crying "burn, burn, burn !" as they pile books in a fiery heap. Their leader is a former news anchor played to the hilt by Anthony Zerbe, who warns the zombie "Family" of the evil created by the "users of the wheel".
It is all quite thought-provoking, and has several connotations to terrorism today, and also has symbolism relating to Christianity; at one point Heston is tied up in a crucifixion pose, and his blood, turned into a serum, can save the remnant of humanity. There are a few reminders from the Book of Revelation, where of course, Jesus said "I am the Alpha and Omega".

Rosalind Cash is lovely as Lisa, one of the remnant hiding in the hills, and her relationship with Heston is a rare instance of an interracial love affair from that era. Films from the 1970s fascinate me, with the hair and fashion styles, and 8-track tapes in the cars.
This film has fabulous cinematography by Russell Metty of a deserted, devastated Los Angeles, a good score by Ron Granier, and fast-paced, disquieting direction by Boris Segal that will occasionally make your heart skip a beat with fright.
Total running time is 98 minutes.

Not so funny these days
Although intended as an alegory about conflict between rationality and mysticism, it seemed a little hokey to me for years. Now that the possability of someone concocting and releasing something like air-borne Ebola in Manhattan is a real cocern and not just a bad sci-fi dream, this really creeps me out.

Given the lines, budget and 70's dialog to work with Heston diplays his craft. He carries the movie. If the producers had saved some money and put a B-grade actor in the lead this would be limited to after-midnite re-runs. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The best television detective series ever made!
PETER GUNN remains a television landmark. A half-hour show with enough material for a feature film in every episode. A groundbreaking marriage of narrative and music--many scenes play like Henry Mancini music videos (from the era when Mancini was cutting great jazz tracks with talent like Shelley Manne). The series' low budget is cleverly disguised behind the minimalist film-noir atmosphere. Blake Edwards created the series in response to the poor television handling of his RICHARD DIAMOND radio show--many episodes were actually rewritten from RICHARD DIAMOND radio scripts! Edwards proved he was an authentic successor of Hammett and Chandler (simply working in a different medium). Gunn is sophisticated, amusing, classy, tough, and always likable. His friendly relationship with Police Lt. Jacoby was a welcome change from the hard-boiled stereotype of P. I.'s who hated corrupt and/or stupid cops. The racy (for the 50's) banter with his night club singer/girlfriend and the bizarre, comic-relief contacts round out the format for this great series. The only complaint with this box set is the poor quality of the picture (it helps explain the low price). Collectors take note that three of the ten episodes were previously issued by Rhino Home Video about ten years ago. A must for mystery fans--PETER GUNN was Blake Edwards at his creative pinnacle.

Not A Bad Deal!
These are the only videos currently available for the vintage television series, "Peter Gunn", starring Craig Stevens. They are not too easy to find and Amazon.Com is one of the few places I've seen them available. This is a box set of five (5) videotapes with two (2) thirty minute episodes per tape for a total of ten (10) episodes. To begin, I bought this set with a little bit of apprehension. First, the price for the five tapes was very inexpensive ($15.83). Second, they are distributed by a company that I am unfamiliar with, Diamond Entertainment Corporation. However, for the price of $15.83 for ten episodes, I thought I would take my chances. Well, the episodes themselves were no surprise, your basic classic late 1950's/early 1960's detective show. The show was filmed in black and white which adds a film noir effect. This, combined with jazzy background music by Henry Mancini, are a "cool" combination. This is what "Peter Gunn" is known for. As for the quality of the tapes, well, they were okay. These are not digitally remastered copies by any stretch of the imagination, but the quality was decent. In fact, I was expecting a lot worse. Belive me, I've paid a lot more and seen a lot worse. With this in mind, if you like Peter Gunn or vintage detective shows, go for it! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Green Opal and Dove Affair, Both 1st Season Episodes
"The Green Opal Affair" and "The Dove Affair" are both 1st season episodes. Not one of my favorite episodes.

Episode 6 "The Green Opal Affair": UNCLE gets a new recruit when suddenly, he goes out of control. Before he drops into unconsciousness, he says Green Opal and the name Walter Brach (Carroll O'Connor). They find out that Walter Brach is an eccentric man who yearly visits an area called the Green Opal. No one knows why he goes there. Napoleon on orders goes to investigate, going undercover by being hired as a temporary secretary to Brach. When the arrive at Green Opal, he joins up with Chris Linnel (Joan O'Brien), a woman who is kidnapped by Brach's men. They are both captured and we find out that Brach is really a THRUSH agent. THRUSH has developed a way to control people's mind, making them completely loyal to THRUSH. They have kidnapped many people from all over the world and operated them from Green Opal. Brach has plans to use Chris to get through to her genius husband and Napoleon to get into UNCLE.* This is one episode I don't like that much. For one thing, it's very serious and unlike the other episodes, not much humor. Another reason I don't like it so much because Napoleon works 'solo', without the help of Illya. I think the best episodes are the ones in which both of them are in it.

Episode 12 "The Dove Affair": Napoleon goes to Eastern Europe to get the pin of a dove which he knows nothing about from a nation's leader, except that the leader is assassinated by THRUSH. Napoleon steals the pin of the leader's body and tries to get out of the country. But THRUSH is right behind and tries to catch him. Napoleon gets on a train out of the country with the help of an Eastern European spy, Satine (Ricardo Montalban). Satine also wants the dove pin but Napoleon hides it on the train. Satine then tells Napoleon that the reason that the pin is so important is that engraved on the wings of the dove are the names of countless THRUSH agents. They decide to work together along with an American teacher (June Lockhart) to get out of the country safely.* This is a so-so episode with great Ricardo Montalban. It is pretty serious and not that much funny lines or anything. No Illya at all in this one. Another UNCLE episode with a Lost in Space actress (June Lockhart) like in "The Neptune Affair" (1st season) with Marta Kristen. Ricardo Montalban also appeared in "The King of Diamonds Affair" (2nd season).

Green Opal Affair / Dove Affair
The Green Opal Affair and Dove Affair are great though I put only 4 stars since Illya doesn't come out almost at all! I wish he came out more often in the Green Opal Affair. The Green Opal Affair is interesting and I like the beginning where Illya looks at Napoleon when Napoleon is wearing his disguise and thick glasses. I loved Ricardo Montalban in the Dove Affair! He's such a great actor!

Green Opal is a Great Episode- one of my favorites? Yes!
I remember this episode as a kid and loved it as an adult. It has this oriental guy in it that looks like "Oddjob" from Goldfinger that gives Solo nasty looks through the first half hour. Finally there is the end fight scene with Solo using a wrapped up towel as a weapon. It's B&W (black and white) for all those post 60's people out there. But the video quality of this series is very good and if you are a fan of U.N.C.L.E repeats this is one that you'll watch more than once. Even my nine year old daughter gets a kick out of them too! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Hot Number and The Suburbia Affair
The Hot Number Affair is an episode about a dress( a hot number) with a pattern that is a secret code and the Thrush people want it.This episode is built around pop singing duo Sonny And Cher who play Jerry and Ramona.Ramona(Cher) wears the "hot number" and doesn't remember where she left it until it's brought in from the cleaners.Jerry(Sonny Bono) designed the hot number that Ramona wears and Jerry has a crush on Ramona.The popular Sonny and Cher song "I Got You Babe" plays in the background.The stock music uses kazoos throughout the episode which may be irritating to some but I found it to be humorous.
"The Suburbia Affair" has Napoleon and Illya move temporarily to the suburbs.These two guys even divide up the household duties on cooking and cleaning.The so-called milkman sends them milk that appears to blowup.What a mess for them to clean up.Illya even gets to drive a ice cream truck.In one scene Napoleon and Illya almost sound like an old married couple when they begin to argue.I've seen a episode guide on "The Hot Number Affair" as an worst offering of the series.To me it's not that bad of an episode for 1967 compared to what tv executives put on nowadays. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An Illya Special
These two episodes are obviously designed for the fans of Illya. He's in both of them, and Solo is nearly non-existant. The Arabian Affair has fun with Illya convincing a tribe of Bedouins that he is the son of Lawrence of Arabia. Michael Ansara, as always, makes a good Arab sheik, and Phyllis Newman isn't bad as his headstrong daughter. She gets to hold her own in some exchanges with Illya. The plot, as always, is ever so slightly over the top, but everyone seems to be taking it with the non-serious attitude that made this show fun.

The second show, the Foreign Legion Affair has Illya parachuting off into the desert with a pretty stewardess to escape the Thrush villians. This results in an out -of-the-frying-pan into-the-fire situation, since they are promptly captured by a Foreign Legionnaire commandant, played by Howard da Silva, who thinks they are spies (well, he's partially right) but also doesn't know the legion has been disbanded. Like Phyllis Newman in the Arabian Affair, the stewardess gets to hold her own against Illya, and he actually smiles at her. They made a good match in this episode, inspite of her habit of biting people, Illya included, when she gets stressed out. One of the best scenes is on the plane when she asks him if he'd like coffee, tea, or milk, and to get rid of her, Illya retorts in a snappy way, "borscht". She doesn't turn a hair and answers, "cabbage or beet?" Obviously, this is an interesting woman, and unlike most of the heroines of the time (the mid 60s) she gets to take an active part in her own rescue! A good episode.

"The Arabian Affair" and "The Foreign Legion Affair"
This is a must have for Illya-philes. Both episodes showcase him extensively and, I think, well. There are some great shots of "The Illya Look" where everyone around him want to run screaming. Not too much by way of stupid moves in this one, definitely a plus.

"The Arabian Affair": Illya gets knifed and taken by a band of desert dwellers. The daughter of the leader is intent on selling him for a new camel. The Russian gains the support of the tribe by pretending to be Lawrence of Arabia's son. He then leads them on a raid on a THRUSH outpost where they are doing experiments on some flesh-melting chemical. All and all, an enjoyable romp. Even my 10 year old son liked this one.

"The Foreign Legion Affair": Not as good as the first, but still worth watching. Again, some great shots of "The Look". Illya is carrying microfilm that THRUSH wants. He ends up having to jump out a plane in a tandem jump with the stewardess and they land in the middle of the desert hundreds of miles from civilization. They find an old outpost of the Foreign Legion where the commandant and his faithful Lt. are the only ones left. The commandant does not realize the Legion is now defunct. A few moments of "Illya you know better than to do that", but what can we expect from the 60s? Another entertaining watch.

If you are a Robert Vaughn/Napoleon Solo fan, this is probably not the best video for you because there isn't much of him in it.

Not a good example of UNCLE's best, but still watchable
Volume 10 has "The Arabian Affair" and "The Foreign Legion Affair", both which appeared in Man from UNCLE's 2nd season. Although "Man from UNCLE" is my favorite TV show, as I said, these two episodes are not a good example of UNCLE's best, but still enjoyable in a way.

Episode 36, "The Arabian Affair" has Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) going to the Arabian desert to find THRUSH's new vaporizing machine. Instead he is captured by a local tribe. Though he emplores the tribe chief Sulador (Michael Ansara) to let him go, Sulador refuses, saying that his daughter, Sophie (Phyllis Newman), wants to keep Him to trade him for a camel. In New York, Napoleon Solo (Robert Vauhn) finds out that THRUSH agents are always eliminated when the retire. With this valuable information, he convinces a retiring THRUSH agent, David Lewin (Robert Ellenstein), to learn where THRUSH's base in Arabia is. Lewin and Napoleon are taken to the base, where they meet up with Illya and the tribe, whose confidence he had gained. Together, they launch an attack on the base. * Kind of a stupid plot if you ask me. Some of the humor was funny, some weren't. The next episode if you ask me is much more fun.

Episode 51, "The Foreign Legion Affair" finds Illya stealing THRUSH code documents. While flying over a desert in a private airplane, the plane is hijacked by THRUSH agents. Illya manages to parachute out of the airplane with a stewardess, Barbara (Danielle DeMetz) with the documents. They wander in the desert and after a time finds an abandoned Foreign Legion post run by Captain Basil Calhoun (Howard Da Silva). The Captain, thinking that Illya and Barbara are enemies, holds them prisoner while Napoleon races to find them before THRUSH does. * A much better episode than "The Arabian Affair".