KeithBarrett Online

[The earliest copy I have of the original Prisoner FAQ, as created by me for USENET, last updated by me on 3/3/92]

From barrett@aminet.uucp Sun May 17 00:01:41 1992
Newsgroups: alt.tv.prisoner
Subject: BI-MONTHLY POSTING: The Prisoner FAQ
Date: 15 May 92 04:01:02 GMT
[last updated 3/3/92]

[Note: Although great attempts have been made to keep this information up to date
and to verify its accuracy, I do not assume responsibility for its validity.
Information concerning source materials, addresses, and prices are subject to you
own risk. - kgb]

We want information!

Well, since "Questions are a burden to others and answers a prison to oneself",
this posting will hopefully reduce the questions.

Danger Man and Secret Agent

Danger Man was the name of the first secret agent series about the character
John Drake, a man who believed in using his head rather than using a gun or
getting involved with women to resolve situations (contrary to the typical James
Bond types). The shows were 25 mins B/W.

When American distribution was desired, the series was filmed as 60 minute Secret
Agent b/w and color episodes (although they were never released in color). The
main plots were how this agent dealt with the moral conflicts of his job.

Note: the mixed up "puzzle" letters that appear in the closing credits of may
episodes of Secret Agent really spell Danger Man, as is clear in the original UK
showing as Danger Man. Two of the color films were edited together to produce a
90 minute TV movie called Koroshi.

PM conceived the concept for The Prisoner while filming an episode of Danger
Man in Portmeirion (the village) (the story was set in Spain). There is also a
Danger Man episode called Colony 3 about a village of agents training to become
impostors that was used as part of the idea for The Prisoner (this is the show
where he hides a camera in a typewriter). Many of the actors in DM/SA also
appear in The Prisoner.

Opening Lyrics - Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers
    (Written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri)
    There's a man who leads a life of danger
    To everyone he meets, he stays a stranger
    With every move he makes, another chance he takes
    Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow.
    Secret Agent Man, Secret Agent Man
    They've given you a number and taken away your name.

His Job Resignation

McGoohan has made it plain in several interviews and books that The Prisoner is
not a sequel to Danger Man. Although there are those that believe #6 is called
"Drake" in Once Upon a Time - according to the script, the line reads "... in
the morning break". [No, I don't have the script. This information was
obtained during my attendance at the 6-of-1 convention at Portmerion. Contact
6-of-1 to see if scripts are available - kgb] 

There is much evidence indicating however that #6's previous job was as a
government agent. It's known that #6 held "one of the most top-secret
positions" within Britain, and that this involved "field work". In Schizoid
Man, one of the advantages that Curtis has to help him impersonate #6 are
his abilities as a top agent and a field man. Fall Out reveals that he is
given "a top secret confidential job" and it involved state secrets. It is
also a fact in real life that most agents are mathematical or accounting
specialists, and #6 does admit that he's "good with figures". If you include
the 4 part comic book sequel (OK, OK, Graphic Novels), The main
character's name is Alice Drake and it is implied that she is a relative of
#6's. But remember, mis- direction is always a possibility.

Some of the early paperback books have taken liberty and actually called him
John Drake, but these books are so filled with even the most basic errors
concerning the series and the village that most fans discount them.

Number Six has given his reasons for his job resignation several times, it's
just that the village either doesn't believe him or believe there is more to it;
so in some respects #6 has no choice but to resist his captors because even
if they got what they wanted it might not help. In Arrival it's mentioned that
his reasons "were a matter of principle". In Chimes Of Big Ben, he states
that "it was a matter of conscience", and he also begins to say "I resigned,
because for a very long time now I...". In Once Upon A Time, he states that his
reasons were for "Peace of mind because too many people knew too much; I know
too much", and that he eventually rejected these moral contradictions. Also, in
A B & C, he states he didn't resign to sell out. A B & C also reveals that he
was going on an immediate holiday after his resignation - just what someone
resolving an internal conflict would need to do.

It's more in line to say that the Village has taken the position that they
wish to break him and that getting him to reveal the details behind his
resignation is the first step. It has been made clear that the people don't
wish to cause any permanent damage because they believe that if they can win
him over, he "has a valuable future with us".

Who Runs The Village?

You are never given a direct answer to this question, but there is a large
amount of evidence pointing to "his own side", or to "both sides". Certainly
his own people are in on it. Many people from #6's past (some having
indications of authority) appear and work for the village. This happens in
Arrival, Chimes Of Big Ben, and Do Not Forsake Me.... Even after #6 is found
(Many Happy Returns) and reveals the presence of the village; you can bet
that if his previous position was as an agent, his side would seek out such
a place after he vanishes the second time. Even if he was believed dead,
they'd still search for it (especially if there was a possibility other
agents could be there). It would also not be an easy manner for Mrs.
Butterworth to occupy his home unless she could pass the security
investigation that would probably take place. Also, in Do Not Forsake Me...
it is revealed that it's been a year since his capture; yet his home is
still maintained for him to wake up in.

Where Is The Village?

In real life, it's a seashore resort called Portmeirion in North Wales, and
built by the architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. It is located in the town
of Penryhndeudraeth. Look for Cardigan Bay on the western shore; at the north
end is Tremadoc Bay; look along its north-central shore and find the town of
Porthmadog; go east, and at the northeastern corner of Tremadoc Bay, there is
an inlet pointing slightly north of east. Portmeirion is on the north shore of
that inlet.

    The Portmeirion Hotel
    Portmeirion
    Gwynedd
    LL48 6ET
    United Kingdom
    Phone: 01766 770228
    Fax: 01766 771331
    Telex: 61540 PORTM G

In the show, ignoring the information stated in Chimes Of Big Ben (the girl
was working for the village, so her statements are untrustworthy), Many Happy
Returns and Fall Out reveal the most about it. In Many Happy Returns, it's
narrowed down to an area that #6 begins searching and eventually finds (a fact
that doesn't help him any). Fall Out reveals you can get there via road, so not
an island. A route number appears in Fall Out also. The Sea indicates it's on
a coastline.

Fonts

The closest font to the one used in The Prisoner is a modified Albertus (dots
removed from "i" and "j", loop of "e" opened). Albertus is available from
Monotype in Postscript Type 1 format, in their Headliners 6 type set. Call (in
the US) 1-800-MONOTYPE. Albertus also available from Image Club Graphics, Inc.
(see Personal Publishing magazine). Costs $75 for 3 styles: normal, bold, and
black. Postscript format. Suite 5, 1902 11th Street SE, Calgary AB Canada
T2G 3G2; 403/262-8008.

KAR120C

The car used in the show was a Lotus Seven series II, which was available as
a kit or assembled (hence why #6 claimed he built it). In the U.K., a license
plate number stays with the car for life. The real KAR120C Lotus (which was
the demo model series II) was used and eventually sold to an Australian. When
Fall Out was filmed, a quick mock up from a series III was used.

Lotus, desiring to termininate production of the car after their failed
attempt at marketing a series IV, sold all existing kits, molds, and
manufacturing rights to Caterham Cars (their biggest dealer at the time).
Caterham went back to the series III, made some internal structural
improvements, and re-named the car the "Super Seven". The car is still
available and can be purchased as a kit for import into the U.S. (I owned
one myself). There are 2 reputable places in the U.S. which will provide
you with an assembled vehicle that you can register in most states as a
composite or kit car.

The west coast: Dave Bean Engineering, Inc., 636 E.St.Charles Street, Star
Route 2, San Andreas, CA 95249-9564, (209) 754-5802, Fax:(209) 754-5177

On the east coast: Sevens and Elans, Mr. Chris Tchornicki, 248 Hampshire
Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, (617) 497-7777

[I have the address for Caterham, but haven't had time to post it yet]
Caterham may also provide you with other locations. It is important that if
you do wish to pursue getting one, that you avoid many places that attempt
to sell imitations (all inferior) and seek one of the sources mentioned
above.

The cost is around $20,000. Delivery is about 6 months. The car looks
very much the same as it does in the show, but now comes with a 5-speed.
The car is very very fast (0-50mph in 4 to 4.5 secs), and can be painted any
colour you want. Funny point is that the car did have a problem history of
over-heating in traffic, the same one mentioned to #6 by the woman in Many
Happy Returns.

What About The Penny Farthing?

In interviews, Patrick McGoohan states it's a symbol of progress. In the
alternative version of The Chimes of Big Ben, a wheel on the bicycle become
the planet earth and eventually you see the word "POP". There is also a story
that the penny farthing symbol was already in some sort of use at Portmeirion,
and PM adopted it for use in the show.

Filler Episodes

PM was asked to create 5 "fill in" episodes for U.S. release. These are the ones
with almost no (or re-used) shots of the village. Living in Harmony, The Girl
Who Was Death, Do Not Forsake Me... are some of these. These episodes can be
removed from the series without major impact to the overall story.

Episode Order

The order of the episodes according to script and production dates differs that
the order originally aired in the U.K. and U.S. Part of this is due to the
changes made to The Chimes Of Big Ben before airtime (hence why the lost episode
exists). The main argument concerning the order is where Chimes belongs in the
series.

There are many indications of shows being in a specific order. Once Upon a Time
and Fall Out are obviously the last two. Arrival is obviously the first. Do Not
Forsake Me Oh My Darling has flashbacks to Free for All and Dance of the Dead.
Dance of the Dead mentions that #6 is "new here". Many Happy Returns states #6
has been a prisoner for months, and Do Not Forsake Me... states it's been a
year. The General is a later episode than A B & C due to the second appearance
of the same #2 mentioning that "He and #6 are old friends". There are those that
believe the Tally Ho article ("Is #2 fit for further term") and #2's opening
speech ("I am #2") indicate that A B & C and The General should be in reverse
order, but remember that #2 was in a fragile position with his leaders during
A B & C and it's suggested that any failure would be the end of him, so these
could just be signs of his current situation. The most widely listed episode
order is the order the episodes were originally broadcast in the U.S., and is
typically published in magazines (such as Starlog). This is also the official
episode order according to ITC:

1. Arrival
2. The Chimes of Big Ben
3. A B & C
4. Free For All
5. Schizoid Man
6. The General
7. Many Happy Returns
8. Dance of the Dead
9. Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling
10. It's Your Funeral
11. Checkmate
12. Living in Harmony
13. A Change of Mind
14. Hammer into Anvil
15. The Girl Who Was Death
16. Once Upon a Time
17. Fall Out

Note: Living in Harmony was originally omitted from the first showing of the
series in the U.S. Some opinions differ as to why this happened, but the most
official word is that they were pulled due to the Vietnam era, and the issues
concerning drugs and draft dodging.

Uniforms And Numbers

There are signs that a person's number is an indication of status within the
village. That being the case, then the number 6 would indicate that he is
considered valuable. There are also indications that numbers are recycled, In
Chimes Of Big Ben, the new arrival is referred to as "the new #8" (with the old
#8 being dead). Using an available number rather than having a unique number is
certainly more in line with the village's practice of not identifying people as
individuals. If you believe that #48 in Fall Out is the same lad in Living In
Harmony (who has a lower number), then his number was changed after his
experiment was a failure. Certainly the #2 has been recycled numerous times.
There are also a few oddities. Roland Walter Dutton in Dance Of The Dead doesn't
seem to have a number (perhaps suggesting that you only get one if there is an
intention you are going to live there), Alison in Schzoid Man is referred to by
name, the two newspaper reporters in Free For All identify themselves as #113
and #113B. In Checkmate, one individual is only identified throughout the show
as rook; and you never learn if the butler has a number. Finally in Fall Out, a
large number of people are identified by a belief or occupation rather than
names or numbers, but it is implied that they do also have numbers.

Ignoring the few exceptions; there seem to be 2 popular types of uniforms among
the "citizens" of the village. The turtleneck shirt and jacket with coloured
piping, and a striped shirt with a sailor's hat (sometimes worn with a multi-
color striped cape). There seem to be colour variations of both types, as there
are also black penny farthing badges and white ones. You're never told whether
this has any significance or not (it may just be for contrast with the black or
white jacket). In a few shows (especially in The General), you also see some sort
of uniform composed of a top hat, black shades, and tails. It can be deduced that
this indicates some sort of official position in the village (board member
perhaps), and that anyone serving these roles wears these outfits during official
events. The guards also wear a single colour jumpsuit with shades, white
sneakers, white club, and a white helmet. Other items seen are multi-colour
umbrellas, loafers, bland slacks, pullovers, and sunglasses with narrow slits
or b/w checkers. There were also the maid uniforms, the butler's clothes, the
Doctor coats, and in Fall Out we see white hooded coats with b/w masks, and
the judge's outfit.

Other Patrick McGoohan Credits

Films
* The Dam Busters 1954
* The Dark Avenger (aka "The Warrior") 1955
* Passage Home 1955
* I Am a Camera 1955
* Zarak 1956
* High Tide at Noon 1957
* Hell Drivers 1958
* The Gypsy and the Gentleman 1958
* Nor the Moon by Night (aka "Elephant Gun") 1958
* All Night Long 1961
* Two Living, One Dead 1961
* Life for Ruth (aka "Walk in the Shadow") 1962
* The Three Lives of Thomasina 1963
* Dr.Syn, Alias the Scarecrow 1963
* The Quare Fellow 1966
* Ice Station Zebra 1969
* The Moonshine War 1970
* Mary Queen of Scots 1971
* The Genius (aka "Un Genio, Due Compari e Un Pollo") 1975
* Silver Streak 1976
* Trespasses (aka "Finding Katie") 1983
* Brass Target 1979
* Escape from Alcatraz 1979
* Scanners 1981
* Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend 1985

TV movies
* Koroshi 1966
* The Man in the Iron Mask 1979
* The Hard Way 1980
* Three Sovereigns for Sarah 1985
* Jamaica Inn 1985
* Of Pure Blood 1986

TV Series
* Danger Man (aka Secret Agent)
* The Prisoner
* Rafferty
* The Vice (1953)

Other
* Hosted "Trilogy of Terror"
* Appeared in 3 episodes of "Columbo" (won an Emmy)
* Also acted in theatre

Prisoner Books

The Prisoner Alain Carraze and Helene Oswald, Virgin Books, 1989
Contains many great color and B&W stills from the series, including behind-the-
scenes shots.

The Prisoner and Danger Man, Dave Rogers, Boxtree Books, 1989
Contains episode synopses from both series.

The Official Prisoner Matthew White and Jaffer Ali Companion Warner Books,
1988. Contains many errors

The Prisoner Thomas M. Disch (N.Y. Ace Publishing, 1969)

Who Is Number Two? David McDaniel (N.Y. Ace Books, 1969)

A Day In The Life Hank Stine (N.Y. Ace Publishing, 1970)

The Prisoner Four part comic book, sequel to the tv series (Comic Book series) by
Dean Mottter, published by DC Comics 1988-1989 Highly recommended reading

* Book A - A(r)rival
* Book B - By hook or by crook
* Book C - Confrontation
* Book D - Departure

They may also be found as a single volume called Shattered Visage

The Prisoner Puzzle A detailed Canadian educational text from the 70s, which
included interviews with Patrick McGoohan. Considered a valued resource; believed
to be unavailable now.

Prisoner Items

The Mini-Moke toy (the taxi seen in the series) was available during the time of
original broadcast, and is now considered a serious collectors' item. The 6-of-1
organization has obtained at least one of the two real vehicles that were used in
the series. Also available at that time were prisoner watches (watches with the
penny farthing symbol on the face). Both of these are no longer available.

Cars sells a metal miniature model of the Super Seven for about $40 (It's about 3
inches long). A Japanese firm sells a plastic version for slightly less:

Model Kits:
* Lotus Super Seven Series II Tamiya 1500 Cosworth Model Rectifier Corporation
(Scale 1:24) Edison, New Jersey, USA 08817 Kit No. 2446A
* Lotus Super Seven Wills Finecast Sports Racing Car Lower Road, Forest Row
(Scale 1:24) Sussex, RH18 5HE, England Kit No. 007

Photos, badges, maps, postcards, and the CD soundtracks are available through
6-of-1, or through the shop located at the hotel Portmeirion. The official source
for the CDs is suppose to be through 6-of-1, but apparently you can obtain them
from the publisher and other sources: It is an import, marketed by Silva Screen
Records Ltd, Silva House, 261 Royal College Street, London NW1 9LU, UK. Video
Tapes can be ordered from FUSION VIDEO, 17214 S. Oak Park Ave, Tinley Park, IL,
60477-9917. All episodes are available; approximately $20 each. The Prisoner
Companions, Lost Episode, and Best of are also available .

Some items the U.S. viewers see as novel collectibles (such as the telephones)
are (or were) fairly common items in the U.K. and were not specific to The
Prisoner.

There was an adventure game out during the 70s, available for the Atari and Apple
computers, called The Prisoner. It was made by Edu-Ware. In the world of role
playing games there is a GURPS The Prisoner sourcebook. GURPS is made by
Steve Jackson Games

Fan Clubs
There is only one officially recognized fan club for The Prisoner. It's full
name is: Six of One (or 6-of-1) The Prisoner Appreciation Society.
There are chapters in the U.K. and in the U.S.
For a year's subscription, it will provide 4 packages of documents and the paper
Number Six. Six Of One also organises the Portmeirion Convention each year in
September, although has been talk that this may be discontinued due to the
sometimes harsh relationship with Portmeirion). For more information:

* U.S. Six of One, 871 Clover Dr, North Wales, PA, 19454
* France Six of One/France, Jean-Michel Philibert, BP 633, 42042 Saint-Etienne
Ce'dex, France
* U.K. Six of One, PO Box 60, Harrogate, HG1 2TP, (and elsewhere)

There were several attempts by individual fans, especially in the late 70s, to
promote personal newsletters as official fan clubs. These went under such
names as The Green Dome and The Prisoner Newsletter. None were officially
recognized by ITC, in most cases they just re-published information provided
by Six of One, and many were told by ITC or Six-of-One to cease copyright
violations.

MENSA, the High-IQ organization, had (and may still have) a Prisoner SIG.

Miscellaneous Facts

Although he intentionally used it to his advantage, part of the reason a #1
appears on the home of The Prisoner is because the real apartment door used
for the filming is apt #1 in Buckingham Place, London.

Currently, Patrick McGoohan lives in the north-western U.S.

Leo McKern had a breakdown during the filming of Once Upon A Time because of
the intensity of the episode. Fall Out was filmed and aired months after Once
Upon A Time. This is why during the "resurrection" scene of #2 his beard is
shaved off, and why Leo had shorter hair.

Isn't it interesting that both PM and LM made films with Gene Wilder?

Using a weather balloon for rover was a last-minute decision. There was suppose
to be a robot-like electronic device, but it failed to work properly during
filming. The decision was made at the last minute to use something else on
the set, so a large number of weather balloons were obtained.

The public was so outraged by the content of the last episode that PM had to go
into hiding for a short while to avoid being badgered by the press. Most people
were disappointed about the end (many wanted #1 to end up being the Butler).

The Man behind the desk during the resignation sceen is George Markstein

In real life, the village (Portmeirion, Wales) is very small and seems
larger in the show because of film editing. Those that have visited the
place get a kick out of seeing #6 take routes that don't really lead to the
shown destinations.

McGoohan also wrote/directed episodes under the name Paddy Fitz, and directed
some under the name of Joseph Serf.

Ron Grainer, who did most of the supporting music for the show, also did the
theme for Dr. Who and other U.K. TV shows.

The garage that PM drives his Lotus into where he passes underneath the gate
before it lifts is in London.

YES YES! That is #6's face behind the mask in Fall Out! PM even states so in The
Prisoner Puzzle, a Canadian publication of the 70s. The ape mask was an
intentional reference to evolution.

Outstanding Items

Many people are looking for copies of the Albertus font, sound samples, GIF
files, star movie credits, etc. You are encouraged to post such items (UUSHAR or
UUENCODE format preferred) often. I personally want good GIFs AND sound
samples (MAC or Amiga format). Anything I obtain I may list in future FAQs
and/or make available via email somehow.

FAQs Looking For Official Answers

Can you buy copies of the scripts?

        _________
       |         |
 _o_  _| ___=___ |_  _o_
/`-'\( )         ( )/`-'\
|   |-|  ___@___  |-|   |
|   | | (-+-+-+-) | |   |
|   |--\_KAR120C_/--|   |
`---'               `---'

(Thanks to Flemming Larsen for the picture. Perhaps someone can pull off a
good penny farthing? - that wheel's pretty tough)
For corrections or additions:
Keith G. Barrett
uunet!aminet!barrett
The NEW number six 
[end]