'A Man Called Sloane' was a short-lived Quinn Martin show which starred Robert Conrad as trendy antiques dealer Thomas Remington Sloane The Third, also a Priority One secret agent for the counter-espionage organisation U.N.I.T. On entering a secret base behind the facade of a toy boutique in California, he would be briefed by The Director ( Dan O'Herlihy ). U.N.I.T.'s opponents were KARTEL, a mysterious syndicate of arms dealers bent on world domination. Each week, the organisation would attempt to seize power with the aid of some improbable new super-weapon, such as a tuning fork that gave off sonic waves, killer locusts, or a laser satellite designed to destroy specific targets.
Conrad replaced Robert Logan, who'd played 'Sloane' ( rather badly ) in the pilot. The veteran actor brought to it the laconic style he'd used in the hit '60's series 'Wild, Wild West'.
Ji-Tu Cumbuka returned as the 'Jaws'-like henchman 'Torque' ( steel hand instead of teeth ), even though the pilot ended with him falling to his death. As if this was not confusing enough, Torque was now a good guy, working alongside Sloane the same way Illya Kuryakin did with Napoleon Solo! The lovely Karen Purcill played 'Kelly', the show's 'Q' equivalent. The impressive list of guest-stars included Robert Culp, Morgan Fairchild, Roddy McDowall, and Monte Markham. Michelle Carey was the sexy voice of E.F.F.I.E. the computer.
This fun show was modelled on the Roger Moore Bond films of the time, which meant that there were laughs amongst the girls and gadgets. It was screened in America at around the same time as the first season of the Gil Gerard 'Buck Rogers' and mirrored it inasmuch as it did for espionage what Buck did for science fiction.
Conrad has been rather uncomplimentary about 'Sloane' in interviews since, describing it as 'terrible'. Why then did he direct one episode? I have the series on D.V.D., and find it rather more enjoyable than the lame 'Wild Wild West' reunion T.V. movies he did the early 80's.
'Sloane' was a pretty decent show. It was just not given a chance to find an audience.
Conrad replaced Robert Logan, who'd played 'Sloane' ( rather badly ) in the pilot. The veteran actor brought to it the laconic style he'd used in the hit '60's series 'Wild, Wild West'.
Ji-Tu Cumbuka returned as the 'Jaws'-like henchman 'Torque' ( steel hand instead of teeth ), even though the pilot ended with him falling to his death. As if this was not confusing enough, Torque was now a good guy, working alongside Sloane the same way Illya Kuryakin did with Napoleon Solo! The lovely Karen Purcill played 'Kelly', the show's 'Q' equivalent. The impressive list of guest-stars included Robert Culp, Morgan Fairchild, Roddy McDowall, and Monte Markham. Michelle Carey was the sexy voice of E.F.F.I.E. the computer.
This fun show was modelled on the Roger Moore Bond films of the time, which meant that there were laughs amongst the girls and gadgets. It was screened in America at around the same time as the first season of the Gil Gerard 'Buck Rogers' and mirrored it inasmuch as it did for espionage what Buck did for science fiction.
Conrad has been rather uncomplimentary about 'Sloane' in interviews since, describing it as 'terrible'. Why then did he direct one episode? I have the series on D.V.D., and find it rather more enjoyable than the lame 'Wild Wild West' reunion T.V. movies he did the early 80's.
'Sloane' was a pretty decent show. It was just not given a chance to find an audience.
