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"The Man From U.N.C.L.E." is a show for all viewers

U.N.C.L.E. stars from manfromuncle.org

Before buying the complete series of the 1960 spy series "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." yesterday, my sole (rather than solo) experience with the show was catching an occasional rerun on late-night cable on nights that I could not sleep. I enjoyed the show and would have Tivoed it if I had owned a Tivo then.

My first response on seeing the set's cardboard case that looks like a silver metal attache case was that I should handcuff it to my wrist. My second response was that the 105 hour-long episodes, incredibly terrific unaired pilot, and roughly 10 hours of other features gave me a great deal for my money. I recognize that the approximately $150 for the set is a significant cost but believe sincerely that it is worth the money. Further, it seems that buying the whole set is the only option for getting this exceptional show on DVD.

Because this set was just released on Tuesday, I was eager to make you folks aware of it; Best Buy had it on sale, and I know that most retailers also place this big sets on sale the week that they are released. I have only scratched the surface of the content of the wonderful set but am very pleased at the outset.

I liked the pilot because it was in color and used bright colors to take advantage of this innovation that was fairly new to television in 1964. The vibrant greens and reds and sinister boiling yellow liquid reminded me of the style of the "Batman" series of the same era. It was also interesting to compare this version of the episode to the much shorter black-and-white one that aired as the first episode of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."

I recommend as well that anyone who is not very familiar with the program watch the feature on the history of it that is also included in the 11-disc first season set. It explains the concept of the program and has exceptional interviews with most of the actors, directors, producers, directors, and writers. I found the involvement of James Bond creator Ian Fleming in developing the show and coming up with the main character's name Napoleon Solo of particular interest.

I additionally am looking forward to seeing the one feature film of U.N.C.L.E. that the set includes; it seems that it also includes one or two other films in the form of two-part episodes.

I loved the several episodes that I have watched because they are written and presented very well and have elements of my favorite programs. I am a big enough fan of "Get Smart," which is a spy spoof from the same era, to be a CONTROL freak, and saw obvious similarities between the two programs. Some scenes would be interchangeable from the series without even a change in tone.

The show's trademark element of an "innocent" becoming entangled in the intrigue is similar to both Hitchcock films and the light-hearted series "The Scarecrow and Mrs. King" and "Remington Steele" from the 1980s. The different settings and guest stars each week reminded me of the anthology series of the 1950s and 1960s and of "The Love Boat" from the 1970s and 80s. Of course, U.N.C.L.E. also has common elements with the other "straight" spy shows of the day.

I promise to report back once I have watched more episodes, including color ones from later seasons. I will also have to owe you folks "solo" puns and will report if series star Leo G. Carroll ever finds himself over a barrel.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments regarding U.N.C.L.E. Please add them as comments to this entry or e-mail me at tvdvdguy@gmail.com.