| The Saint in Manhattan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Based on | Character created byLeslie Charteris |
| Written by | Peter Gethers David Handler |
| Directed by | James Frawley |
| Starring | Andrew Clarke Kevin Tighe George Rose |
| Music by | Mark Snow |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 1 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Dennis E. Doty Robert S. Baker |
| Producer | George Manasse |
| Cinematography | William Wages |
| Editor | Lee Burch |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | June 12, 1987 (1987-06-12) |
| Related | |
| Return of the Saint | |
The Saint in Manhattan is a 1987television pilot for an Australian-filmed, US-backed revival series based onThe Saint starringAndrew Clarke asSimon Templar. The pilot was not picked up for a series but on June 12, 1987, it was broadcast as the first installment ofCBS Summer Playhouse, a series that aired unsold television pilots during the summer season. In 2012, the pilot was released onDVD byMadman Entertainment in Australia.[1] The DVD has since been out of print.
The Saint returns toNew York City, feeling restless and bored. But the tedium is about to escalate to full-blown excitement when he is contacted by an old flame, Margo, a ballerina who is set to star in a high profile performance. She has received death threats in the guise of a mutilated doll being left in her dressing room, and as part of the ballet, she will don a million dollar tiara on opening night. The performance goes without mishap, however, upon leaving the stage the tiara has somehow been swapped with a fake, and The Saint's calling card has been left in its empty box. Someone has framed Simon, and his old adversary Inspector Fernack is quick to point the finger.
The pilot was shot in Manhattan in April 1987.[2]
The Sydney Morning Herald wrote thatAndrew Clarke was not well suited for the role, especially in contrast toRoger Moore in the1967 television series.[3]The Los Angeles Times reported that most of the viewers who watched the pilot onCBS Summer Playhouse voted "yes".[4] Despite this, the series was never picked up.
Critics also compared The Saint's physical appearance toThomas Magnum inMagnum, P.I., especially with his mustache.[5][6] Also, the blackLamborghini Countach 5000QV used by The Saint was compared to Magnum's redFerrari 308 GTS.[5]
