Man In A Suicase

Man In A Suitcase

1967 - United Kingdom

One of the best examples of ITC's 1960's successful stable of spy/action series. Originally broadcast from 1967-1968, Man in a Suitcase boasted a charismatic performance by imported American star Richard Bradford as McGill, a disgraced former CIA operative wrongly accused of treason, exiled to England and forced to make a precarious living in a dirty and thankless job as a freelance trouble-shooter/private investigator. 

What set the series apart from other notable entries in the genre being produced at the time was the approach taken to the subject matter by series devisers Richard Harris & Dennis Spooner. In the character of McGill the viewers are presented with a hero much closer to the tarnished knight image of Raymond Chandler's classic Phillip Marlowe than we are to the slick, almost cartoon sophistication of James Bond or Roger Moore's urban Simon Templar.

McGill is world-weary, cynical and possessed of a hair-trigger temper which often leads to sudden unexpected shocking outbursts of violence. There's no colourful megalomaniacs attempting to take over the world in the shadowy byeways and seedy London drinking clubs he frequents, just flawed human beings whose greed, jealousy, and hate provide him with the $300-600 per week (plus expenses) needed for a reasonably comfortable survival in the world's most swinging city. 

Man In A Suitcase

Excellent writing, no-frills direction and a top drawer string of guest stars made Man in a Suitcase powerful entertainment, equal - if not superior - to many of the more glossy, light-weight offerings of the time, added to which it also benefited from one of the best remembered and catchy theme tunes to be composed by the talented Ron Grainer. So it comes as a disappointing surprise that at the time of its release the series was greeted with little enthusiasm from TV critics, with one writing under the headline "Low Grade nonsense" (referring to Lew Grade who commissioned it).

It was better received in the USA (Grade always had an eye on the American market) but unfortunately it was scheduled at the same time as Star Trek. Rather than put it against less weighty opposition ABC in the US simply let the series play out and as a result of no further interest from the lucrative American market Man in a Suitcase was not renewed at the end of its 30 episode run.

Modern online reviews of the DVD release are far more favourable and the series appears to have picked up something of a cult status. Along with a repeated run on UK digital television at various times this proves that this is a series which, years later, still stands up to repeated viewing.

Published on January 2nd, 2019. Written by Laurence Marcus & SRH (1999) for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Columbo

Shabby looking homicide detective uses his criminal knowledge and eye for detail to pit his wits against criminals.

Also tagged Drama

Band of Brothers

American war drama miniseries based on historian Stephen E. Ambrose's 1992 non-fiction book Band of Brothers. The executive producers were Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, who had collaborated on the 1998 World War II film Saving Private Ryan.

Also tagged Drama

Danger Island

A 12-year old boy overhears two sinister men plotting to assassinate their country's ruler.

Also released in 1967

Bloodhounds

South Korean streaming series about three daring youths, who in order to pay off a debt, jump into the money-lending business while confronting the rich and powerful who prey on the weak

Also tagged Action Drama Series

Gentle Ben

Man's best friend in this series wasn't a dog but a huge bear...

Also released in 1967

The Dickie Henderson Show

This third series to run under the title of The Dickie Henderson Show aired on November 14 1960 and continued until March 1968 by which time Henderson had established himself as one of Britain's top all-round entertainers.

Also tagged Itc

Crime Buster

Ray Saxon has a nose for sports racketeers. Working for the Sunday Globe he investigates corruption and murder.

Also tagged Drama