The Protectors

1 9 7 2 - 1 9 7 4 (UK)
26 x 25 minute episodes

Former Man From U.N.C.L.E star Robert Vaughn was Harry Rule in this live action series from Gerry Anderson. The series also starred Nyree Dawn Porter as the rather grandly named Contessa di Contini and Tony Anholt as Paul Buchet . Together the trio fought international crime around some of Europe's top resorts.

Porter recalled how she was offered her role in The Protectors by ITC chairman Lew Grade himself; "I was sitting at a table at an awards ceremony when, suddenly, a cigar appeared over my shoulder followed by Lord Lew. "My dear," he said to me "I'd like you to do a series for us".

I said "How lovely, can I see the scripts?" To which he replied, "Don't worry they'll be written for you. Now, who would you prefer as your leading man, Gene Barry, Chuck Connors or Robert Vaughn?". Afterwards I thought 'What have I done?' But it was all great fun."

The series had one of the greatest theme tunes of all time - the classic Avenues & Alleyways (sung by Tony Christie). The song charted in the UK at number 37 in 1973.

Another (unrelated) series called The Protectors screened in the UK in 1964, and concerned a security firm called SIS.