This episode opens in 1944, as British and German soldiers fight it out in San Vincenzo, Italy. 'Foley' ( Harold Goodwin ) becomes fascinated by a painting he sees in a bombed-out art gallery, so he takes it. It is none other than Sandro Botticelli's 'Head Of Venus', and is worth an absolute fortune. In 1967, art connoisseur 'Gilchrist' ( Annette Carell ) is approached by 'Kershaw' ( Bernard Lee ), a seedy character who clings to the delusion that he is still an officer and a gentleman. He claims he knows where the painting is, and wants her to lend him £200 to buy it. Foley is now suffering from dementia and in a home for ex-servicemen. His ex-landlady sold the picture for next to nothing to a junk shop. Gilchrist decides to cut Kershaw out of the deal. She hires McGill to find the painting...
Donald Jonson wrote several 'Danger Man' episodes, including 'Colony Three' ( which many believe inspired 'The Prisoner' ). This story could have started life as a 'Baron' caper, but makes a good 'Suitcase' adventure. The Botticelli - Head Of Venus actually existed ( exists? ), and remains missing to this day. If you have it in your attic, congratulations.
The theme here is greed. What some people are prepared to do in order to become rich. Bernard Lee ( Kershaw ), was the first and best 'M' in the James Bond movies. Priscilla Morgan ( Mavis ), his girlfriend and Foley's ex-landlady, is the real-life wife of actor Clive Dunn. Annette Carell ( Gilchrist ), made her penultimate television appearance here - she died later that year. It is hinted that she and Mac may have had an affair in the past. 'Prisoner' fans will recall her as 'B' from the classic episode 'A, B & C'. David Garfield ( Gilchrist's butler ) was resident gangster 'Ronnie Lynch' in the later series of John Sullivan's 'Citizen Smith'. Derek Smee ( the manager of 'Aladdin's Cave' ) was 'Ransome' in the 'Dr.Who' classic 'Spearhead From Space'.
Though the painting everyone is after ultimately turns out to be a fake, Mac generously gives it to Foley so that he can spend the rest of his days admiring it - the only pleasure he has left in his life.
Donald Jonson wrote several 'Danger Man' episodes, including 'Colony Three' ( which many believe inspired 'The Prisoner' ). This story could have started life as a 'Baron' caper, but makes a good 'Suitcase' adventure. The Botticelli - Head Of Venus actually existed ( exists? ), and remains missing to this day. If you have it in your attic, congratulations.
The theme here is greed. What some people are prepared to do in order to become rich. Bernard Lee ( Kershaw ), was the first and best 'M' in the James Bond movies. Priscilla Morgan ( Mavis ), his girlfriend and Foley's ex-landlady, is the real-life wife of actor Clive Dunn. Annette Carell ( Gilchrist ), made her penultimate television appearance here - she died later that year. It is hinted that she and Mac may have had an affair in the past. 'Prisoner' fans will recall her as 'B' from the classic episode 'A, B & C'. David Garfield ( Gilchrist's butler ) was resident gangster 'Ronnie Lynch' in the later series of John Sullivan's 'Citizen Smith'. Derek Smee ( the manager of 'Aladdin's Cave' ) was 'Ransome' in the 'Dr.Who' classic 'Spearhead From Space'.
Though the painting everyone is after ultimately turns out to be a fake, Mac generously gives it to Foley so that he can spend the rest of his days admiring it - the only pleasure he has left in his life.
