The Saint (TV Series) The Talented Husband (1962) User Reviews

Very Slick

[aimless-46 · 8/10 · 16 December 2008]

This first episode in this Roger Moore series is notable for being veteran actress Patricia Roc's last appearance in film or television. She is astonishingly good in the role of Madge Clarron, a rich woman married to a former actor and money losing producer; nicely played by Derek Farr. You rarely see their kind of nuanced acting in a 1960's television show.

Poor Madge is confined to her bed after a household accident (?) and her husband discourages all visitors. A suspicious Simon is assisted by a female insurance investigator-played by "Goldfinger''s" Shirley Eaton. The other notable thing being the tight pants Eaton wears in a sequence midway through the episode.

There are enough early clues to tip most viewers off to the mystery, but even in the absence of suspense it is very interesting to watch as the intricate murder plot unfolds.

Introduction for Simon Templar

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 12 June 2017]

THE TALENTED HUSBAND is the first episode of the iconic SAINT TV series, based on the novels by Leslie Charteris and starring Roger Moore in his break-out performance. The first couple of series were shot in crisp black and white and feature Moore's protagonist, Simon Templar, acting as a playboy sleuth.

In this episode, an iconic to-camera introduction is followed by a neat little case involving an invalid wife at the mercy of her husband's sinister machinations. The twists of the plot are quite apparent from the outset, and Moore doesn't really appear all that much, but a gorgeous Shirley Eaton makes up for his lack of screen time and Derek Farr is good value as the twitchy husband, supposedly caring for his wife Patricia Roc.

"It's all very simple, I don't like being a cog in the machine!"

[bensonmum2 · 7/10 · 27 March 2017]

Simon Templar is concerned about the well-being of his old friend, Madge. She's had an accident and must remain in her bed with no visitors. But was it really an accident? Simon is worried because Madge's husband has had two previous wives who died under mysterious circumstances. Will Madge be victim number three? Not if The Saint has anything to do with it.

I've seen a few episodes of The Saint over the years, but never bothered going back to beginning. I'm amazed that even in the first episode, The Talented Husband, Roger Moore played Simon Templar with such ease that you'd swear he had been doing it for years. He's solid. Not just Moore, but all the acting in this episode is very good. Joining Moore are the gorgeous Shirley Eaton, Patricia Roc, and Derek Farr. Roc and Farr, in particular, give performances you might not expect. They're talent is responsible for taking what would have been an ordinary piece of television and elevating it into something else. These are examples of quality acting.

The rest of the episode is hit and miss with me. The mystery is too easy to solve. If you've seen more than a few mystery/suspense type television shows, you'll know exactly where The Talented Husband is headed. The big twist provides no surprise at all. Maybe I've seen it all too many times before, but I doubt that even the viewers in '62 fell for it. And I'm not just referring to the husband's disguise – I'm include his plan for murder, his pre-arranged alibi, Templar's plan to stop him, and everything else. It's all way too obvious. Still, it's all nicely put together and a fun watch. Even without much suspense, I still enjoyed watching the events unfold. And, as I wrote previously, the acting is outstanding.

So many twists and turns

[ronib91 · 10/10 · 19 January 2020]

Brilliant episode. Loved this and Roger Moore is gorgeous Never tire of watching this series.

A SUSPENSEFUL DEBUT

[duncanbrown-76733 · 10/10 · 2 June 2022]

From the opening when Simon Templar, is having a drink during an interval when seeing a play in London's West End, and when he is talking to us, the television audience, we know that we going to be in for an hour of action and suspense.

This is black and white television at its best. Roger Moore gives a very strong and powerful entrance as Simon Templar alias The Saint. No wonder this television series was going to be a success for the next seven years, and would leave its mark on British television for the next sixty years.

The photography for this episode is superb. The director and his cameraman did an excellent job of putting together a one hour episode that is full of tension and suspense.

Derek Farr is excellent as the talented, but psychopathic husband. His character John Clarron is charming, cold and clever, but too clever for his own good. His greatest strength is his greatest weakness, which is his performance as the kindly Mrs Jafferty.

What spoils this episode is Patrica Roc's performance as Madge, the sad and vulnerable third wife of John Clarron. Her acting is awful and it is over the top. She is upstaged by Shirley Eaton as Adrienne the sexy insurance investigator who like Simon Templar is out to stop Clarron from murdering Madge. The interplay between her and Roger Moore is an excellent on screen partnership.

This episode has all the ingredients of a good psychological thriller. It has suspense, a beautiful blonde in the form of Miss Eaton, and an excellent twist at the end of it.

Roger and Shirley are good; but the episode is weak

[shakspryn · 6/10 · 3 March 2021]

It's great fun to see Roger Moore and Shirley Eaton in some scenes together! The combined charm score of those two is off the charts! However, the episode itself is just so-so. The episode just doesn't show Simon Templar at his best. He doesn't get enough to do; there isn't much action. Hardly any, in fact. Like so many British TV shows of the 1960's, we get a whole lot of psychological slow-build character stuff for the supporting players, and it unfolds slowly. It's more like a mystery play where you watch for the characters; and the drawback is, the focus is heavily on the two main guest players (other than Shirley). For Heaven's sake, we want to see the Saint! I'm hoping later episodes are a whole lot better than this.

A very nice first episode.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 24 February 2019]

"The Talented Husband" was the first episode of the long-running British series, "The Saint". Fortunately, the first episode was a dandy...setting the stage for other excellent installments in the series.

The story begins with a woman almost being killed in an accident. But, through the course of the show, you realize that it might not have been an accident...and Simon Templer is in town to investigate the woman's husband. Why the husband? Because he's already been married twice before and BOTH these wives died by accident...and each death made the man rich! This third wife has a nice nest egg and, apparently, he's out to get it.

While this plot doesn't sound particularly compelling, what makes it interesting is the housekeeper and her story. I could say more...but you should really see this one yourself. Well written and with some nice twists...it's worth your time.

I loved this show as a kid!

[mm-39 · 6/10 · 25 March 2022]

I loved this show as a kid! I remember back in the 70's watching The Saint. Some shows were in back and white, like this one, and others in color. I actually remember getting our first color set. Well I digress. I loved Roger Moore from the Bond and The Saint. Well The Talented Husband the script is very basic back then T V. The acting well was okay. Sort of another 60's spy show. What stood out and made The Talented Husband was Roger Moore. Moore commanding demeanor, and charm create a memorable character, and a scene stealer. The Talented Husband is not a bad first time at bat for a t v series. Ages well, and actually more likeable then many todays tv characters and series. 6 stars.

Beginning of a legend

[rtamos · 9/10 · 29 September 2021]

First time out in this role and Roger Moore nails it. Sure the plot is comically transparent, but that's not the point. We watch the Saint, not to stretch our detective reasoning, but to be charmed. And we are. Roger Moore at his best and the rest of the cast play their roles perfectly. It's Shirley Eaton who keeps me wanting to return to this particular episode though - she's stunningly gorgeous: probably the sexiest actress Britain has ever had.

Very ungood first episode

[theoldman-05943 · 5/10 · 4 June 2020]

I've loved The Saint since I was a child. And recently got the complete DVD set so I can watch them in order. Seems like a pretty good time right now. Anyways I had forgotten how bad this episode is. Roger Moore is hardly in it even though it's the premiere episode. Instead half the episode is a man and his wife a domestic situation for long stretches. No matter for what purpose, and I think the solution in this episode is rather obvious, it makes it so it says they have your handsome leading man, and one of the hottest women in England, in less than half the show. And the ending lands like a lead egg and Simon's in only in about half of it. Regardless of the bad start I know The Saint goes on to be quite an excellent show. Looking forward to the rest, but a stinker is a stinker.

The Talented Husband

[Prismark10 · 4/10 · 20 March 2022]

The Saint is an iconic television show made by ITC for the ITV network.

It launched Roger Moore into superstardom as he took the role of Simon Templar, the Saint.

The first episode has the Saint talking to the camera as he has gone to the west end of London to see a terrible stage play.

He is interested in Madge who has recently been married to John Clarron, the producer of the flop play.

Clarron has been married twice before. Both of his wives died in suspicious circumstances, both women took out large life insurances after getting married.

The Saint fears that Madge could be next. She already has had a near miss after an incident. Now recovering in bed, her husband has hired a strange housekeeper, Mrs Rafferty.

This was a pedestrian episode with a distinct lack of action and dynamism.

There are two people who are concerned about Madge and they make no effort to see her despite her husband being out of the house. Everyone seems to be passive.

Mrs Rafferty was more Mrs Brown's Boys.

At least Shirley Eaton was suitable eye candy.