PM2005 - A CELEBRATION OF PATRICK McGOOHAN,
DANGER MAN, THE PRISONER AND PORTMEIRION,
Report by Ronnie Soo (with thanks to David Jones and Frank Shailes)

The idea for this event was only conceived in the Spring of 2005, so for it to have come to fruition so quickly is a tribute to the organisational skills of those involved, more on whom later.

Held in the Hercules Hall in Portmeirion on 7th August 2005, the packed programme included four guests, several screenings, a Portmeirion tour, and throughout the day there were two Mini-Mokes decked out in Village livery to give trips around the Village for a pound a go (all money was donated to Ty Gobaith/Hope House Children's Hospice, the beneficiary of the event).

Tickets at £15 were sold out in advance, and so it was a full Hercules Hall awaiting the start of the day's proceedings, introduced by compère David Jones. The first guest was 'Prisoner' researcher and author Robert Fairclough, who was there to talk about his latest book, an annotated collection of original scripts from 'The Prisoner' and also of his involvement with the DeAgostini partwork on 'The Prisoner' and 'Danger Man'. I particularly enjoyed his anecdote regarding McGoohan himself, who, according to Rob, rang him specifically to say that he would NOT be doing any more interviews on 'The Prisoner' again!  He had brought with him an unusual prop from 'The Prisoner'; it was the actual book used as the Village storybook in the episode 'The Girl Who Was Death'.  In reality it was an encyclopaedia; 'The Odham's Encyclopaedia for Children', and it was instantly recognisable by the patterns on the book's cover.

           

After Robert's interview, there was a chance for a brief break, during which time visitors got a chance to see the stalls set out, one of which was taken by Robert, selling signed copies of the book. Another stall was not selling anything, but was exhibiting miniature 'Lego' recreations of 'Prisoner' scenery including Village buildings, a Lotus Seven, a Moke, even a recreation of Buckingham Place and of 'World Cameras'. This exhibit was the work of David Mackenzie, and a very popular one it was. Facing the stalls were several pieces of artwork from Pam Buckle's famous 'Prisoner' set recreated in her attic. She no longer has room for these items so had kindly donated them to exhibit at the event; featured were two scenes of The Village which she used as mock windows, and the backdrop which she used to simulate a view through to The Prisoner's bedroom, plus the other background of his kitchen.

Before the next guest was brought in, the first of the day's video screenings took place - a special edition of the 'Danger Man' episode 'View From The Villa'. This featured an audio commentary from writer Brian Clemens, and director Peter Graham Scott (one of the guests later that day). Immediately following that was the next guest, 'Prisoner' music editor Eric Mival. He had a surprise for us - a clip of a documentary on Soviet-era Russia, featuring a voiceover from one Patrick McGoohan! Eric then went on to discuss at length the selection of the music used in 'The Prisoner' using as a prop his actual 'music bible' from the 1960s, which he had put on video in order to display on the screen - a kind of 'Prisoner Music Presentation'.

The lunch break soon came, and with it many people took the chance to enjoy the sunny Sunday afternoon in Portmeirion. Others paid their pound and went on a 'Village Taxi' ride, courtesy of the two Mini-Moke drivers (Sam Denham and Crispin Hodges). As the money was going to the charity, nobody did 'pay them later'!

We reconvened at 3pm for the next screening, a rare showing of an early Patrick McGoohan performance: the 'Armchair Theatre' production, 'The Greatest Man In The World', in which McGoohan played an astronaut who had flown to the Moon and back, under the noses of the American Government, but who did not quite live up the the 'hero' status which the Government wished to bestow upon him. Playing it for laughs and with an obviously exaggerated accent, McGoohan's performance had the audience in stitches!

Following this screening came the interview with the third guest, 'Prisoner' film editor John S. Smith. It was John who was largely responsible for salvaging the episode 'Dance of the Dead' from the cutting room floor, and he went on to reveal more interesting facts, most notably that an alternative location for Village filming was considered: the village of Stourhead in Wiltshire. One fact I was not previously aware of was that John directed the 'Speedlearn' sequences used in 'The General'.

Another screening followed this interview, another early McGoohan TV appearance in 'The Adventures of Sir Lancelot', this was the episode 'The Outsider' in which he played Sir Glavin.

           

Later in the afternoon came the Portmeirion guided tour, and a chance to enjoy the Village in glorious sunshine. Hosted by Howard Foy (who has previously produced a guide book on the village), he proceeded to inform and entertain those who chose to come along and enjoy the late afternoon sun. After the tour, there was a photo opportunity close to the Piazza, where the three guests who worked on 'The Prisoner' posed for snaps by the two Mini-Mokes, before we reconvened in the Hercules Hall.

Peter Graham Scott, who directed the Prisoner episode 'The General', was the final guest and during his entertaining interview, he revealed that actor John Castle (Number 12 in 'The General') was cast at his suggestion, with some honest revelations about why the original actor was replaced. After the interview came a screening of 'The General' with live commentary from PGS, John S. Smith and Eric Mival (something done to great effect with Tony Sloman at a previous event). Those in a position to see the guests during the episode were often casting their glances at the guests themselves rather than the screen, in particular the expressions on PGS as he re-viewed his direction; more than one attendee considered that part of the day to be a highlight.

Following the events came the auction and the raffle; yours truly won a prize and it was the script from 'The Outsider', a McGoohan production that never made it, others won some excellent prizes including Lew Stringer's specially drawn 'Prisoner' cartoon, some artwork donated by Michele Wilson (an American 'Prisoner' fan who was unable to attend), and the pieces of art from Pam's attic were also raffled off - though only the 'window' scenes of the Village were claimed (the others were a little on the unwieldy side, it's true!) The auction fetched some fantastic sums; one example was an early edition of the Portmeirion guide book going for a staggering £80!

When the final sum raised was totalled, it came to £1042.48 - the money will be donated to Ty Gobaith (Hope House). The event was a great success, professionally run, well attended, including excellent guests. Allied to wonderful weather and a friendly atmosphere, this was a great example of how to put together a TV fan event. My thanks go to Roger Goodman and Rick Davy (organisers), David Jones (organiser and compère), Howard Foy (Portmeirion tour guide), to the Moke drivers (Sam Denham and Crispin Hodges) who raised additional funds, all those who donated items, those who entered the raffle despite being unable to attend, and to all those who DID attend - I salute you all!

PM2005 - an independent event organised by The Unmutual Website and PrizBiz, with the kind permission of Portmeirion and Granada Media. The event had no involvement whatsoever from any Society or fan-club. Photos and text from this page may not be reproduced on any other website or in any publication without the express permission of the parties involved. Photos where applicable are © Ronnie Soo, Alan Jones, Nick Bennett, Ann Pearce and David Mackenzie 2005. Text © The Penny Farthing 2005.

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