The Saint - Down the years!

The Saint was finally adapted for television in 1962, with Roger Moore portraying the Saint in 71 black and white, and 47 color episodes. The show came to an end in 1969, but later resurfaced in 1979, aptly named The Return of The Saint. Ian Ogilvy was the new Saint for 24 color episodes, but didn't last long. A pilot for a new Saint show was made in 1987 by D.L. Taffner, starring Andrew Clarke as The Saint. There were no other episodes other than the one pilot episode. Then, in 1989 the Saint was once again welcomed back to television in six 2-hour movies featuring Simon Dutton as Simon Templar, alias the Saint.

The Saint (1962-1965)

Starring Roger Moore

In late 1961, Leslie Charteris finally sold the television rights to The Saint to producer Robert S. Baker, who teamed up with Lew Grade of ITC to film 71 black and white episodes. These episodes were based on the books and short stories written by Leslie Charteris, with additional material added by the screenwriters listed below including Harry Junkin. The show was well-received by British audiences, but ITC could not find a network in the US to carry the show. ITC syndicated The Saint in the US, and it became a huge hit, making it one of the most successful first-run syndicated shows in history.

1. 1962 - BLACK AND WHITE

2. The Talented Husband, screenplay by Jack Saunders
3. The Latin Touch, screenplay by Gerald Kelsey and Dick Sharples
4. The Careful Terrorist, screenplay by Gerald Kelsey and Dick Sharples
5. The Covetous Head Man, screenplay by John Roddick
6. The Loaded Tourist, screenplay by Richard Harris
7. The Pearls Of Peace, screenplay by Richard Harris
8. The Element of Doubt, screenplay by Norman Borisoff
9. The Arrow of God, screenplay by Julian Bond
10. The Effete Angler, screenplay by Norman Borisoff
11. The Golden Journey, screenplay by Lewis Davidson
12. The Man who was Lucky, screenplay by John Gilling
13. The Charitable Countess, screenplay by Gerald Kelsey and Dick Sharples

    1963 - BLACK AND WHITE

14. The Romantic Matron, screenplay by Larry Forrester
15. The Invisible Millionairess, screenplay by Kenneth Hayles
16. The Gentle Ladies, screenplay by John Graeme
17. The Ever loving Spouse, screenplay by Norman Borisoff
18. The Saint sees it Through, screenplay by Ian Martin
19. The Fellow Traveller, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
20. Starring the Saint, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
21. Judith, screenplay by Leonard Grahame
22. Teresa, screenplay by John Kruse
23. The Elusive Ellshaw, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
24. Marcia, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
25. The Work of Art, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
26. Iris, screenplay by Bill Strutton
27. The King of the Beggars, screenplay by John Gilling
28. The Rough Diamonds, screenplay by Bill Strutton
29. The Saint plays with Fire, screenplay by John Kruse
30. The Benevolent Burglary, screenplay by Larry Forrester
31. The Bunco Artists, screenplay by Lewis Davidson

    1964 - BLACK AND WHITE

32. The well meaning Mayor, screenplay by Robert Stewart
33. The Sporting Chance, screenplay by John Kruse
34. The Wonderful War, screenplay by John Graeme
35. The Noble Sports Woman, screenplay by John Graeme
36. Luella, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
37. The Lawless Lady, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
38. The Good Medicine, screenplay by Norman Borisoff
39. The High Fence, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
40. Sophia, screenplay by Robert Stewart
41. The Miracle Tea Party, screenplay by Paddy Manning O'Brine
42. Lida, screenplay by Terry Nation
43. Jeannine, screenplay by Terry Nation
44. The Scorpion, screenplay by Paul Erickson
45. The Revolution Racket, screenplay by Terry Nation
46. The Saint Steps In, screenplay by John Kruse
47. The Loving Brothers, screenplay by John Graeme
48. The Man who liked Toys, screenplay by Basil Dawson
49. The Death Penalty, screenplay by Ian Stuart Black
50. The Imprudent Politician, screenplay by Norman Hudis
51. The Hi-jackers, screenplay by Paul Erickson
52. The Unkind Philanthropist, screenplay by Marcus Demain

    1965 - BLACK AND WHITE

53. The Damsel in Distress, screenplay by Paul Erickson
54. The Contract, screenplay by Terry Nation
55. The Set-Up, screenplay by Paddy Manning O'Brine
56. The Inescapable World, screenplay by Terry Nation
57. The Rhine Maiden, screenplay by Brian Degas
58. The Golden Frog, screenplay by Michael Cramoy
59. The Sign of the Claw, screenplay by Terry Nation
60. The Frightened Inn-Keeper, screenplay by Norman Hudis
61. Sibao, screenplay by Terry Nation
62. The Crime of the Century, screenplay by Terry Nation
63. The Happy Suicide, screenplay by Brian Degas
64. The Chequered Flag, screenplay by Norman Hudis
65. The Crooked Ring, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
66. The Abductors, screenplay by Brian Degas
67. The Smart Detective, screenplay by Michael Cramoy
68. The Persistent Parasite, screenplay by Norman Hudis
69. The Man Who Could Not Die, screenplay by Terry Nation
70. The Saint Bids Diamonds, screenplay by Pat Lasky and Jesse Lasky Jr.

The Saint (1966-1969)

Starring Roger Moore

With most of the original Charteris stories translated to the small screen, and the contract running down, ATV-ITC penned a new contract to continue the series, in color, and with newly created stories that Charteris had the right to request any changes he wanted. The producers had to submit the stories to Charteris, but unfortunately they were not legally obligated to take any of his advice -- advice that they were paying him a steep consulting fee for. Along with the new contract came a deal with NBC in America to show The Saint in network primetime. The color series lasted 41 episodes, with many of the best being penned by John Kruse.

1966 - COLOur

1. Queen's Ransom, screenplay by Leigh Vance
2. The House on Dragon's Rock, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
3. The Russian Prisoner, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
4. The Reluctant Revolution, screenplay by John Stanton
5. The Helpful Pirate, screenplay by Roy Russell
6. The Convenient Monster, screenplay by Terrence Feely
7. The Angel's Eye, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
8. The Man Who Gambled With Life, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
9. The Man Who Liked Lions, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin (orginal story by Douglas Enfar)
10. The Better Mousetrap, screenplay by Leigh Vance
11. Little Girl Lost, screenplay by Leigh Vance
12. Paper Chase, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin.

1967 - COLOuR

1. Flight Plan, screenplay by Alfred Shaughnessy and Anthony Squire
2. Escape Route, screenplay by Michael Winder
3. The Persistent Patriots, screenplay by Michael Pertwee
4. The Fast Women, screenplay by Leigh Vance
5. The Death Game, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin (story by John Kruse)
6. The Art Collectors, screenplay by Michael Pertwee
7. To Kill a Saint, screenplay by Michael Winder
8. The Counterfeit Countess, screenplay by Philip Broadley
9. Interlude in Venice, screenplay by Paddy Manning O'Brine
10. Simon and Delilah, screenplay by C. Scott Forbes
11. Island of Chance, screenplay by Leigh Vance
12. The Gadget Lovers, screenplay by John Kruse
13. Double in Diamonds, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin (story by Donald Ford and Derek Ford)
14. The Power Artist, screenplay by John Kruse
15. When Spring is Sprung, screenplay by Michael Pertwee
16. Legacy for the Saint

1969 - COLOuR

1. The Master Plan, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
2. The People Importers, screenplay by Donald James
3. The Scales of Justice, screenplay by Robert Holmes
4. Where the Money is, screenplay by Terry Nation
5. The Ex-King of Diamonds, screenplay by John Kruse
6. Vendetta for the Saint, part 1, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin and JohnKruse
7. Vendetta for the Saint, part 2, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin and JohnKruse
8. The Portrait of Brenda, screenplay by Harry W. Junkin
9. The World Beater, screenplay by Donald James
10. Invitation to Danger, screenplay by Terry Nation
11. The Best Laid Schemes, screenplay by Joseph Morhaim and A. SandfordWolf
12. Locate and Destroy, screenplay by John Stanton

The Return of The Saint (1978-1979)

Starring Ian Ogilvy

In the late 1970's ITC decided to renew the Saint and continue the series. Robert Baker proposed a "Son of the Saint" solution to the age problem, with Roger Moore appearing in various episodes as the new Saint's father. This was scrapped, and Ian Ogilvy took over the halo for 24 episodes as Simon Templar. The show featured very high-quality production values, and was shot on location all over the world. People still saw the Saint as Roger Moore, and while some were beginning to accept Ian Ogilvy in the role, the show was cut short before he had a chance to turn the majority to his rendition.

The Saint in Manhattan (1987)

Starring Andrew Clarke

Robert Baker still believed in the Saint, and decided to give it another go with Australian Andrew Clarke in the lead role. He teamed with D.L. Taffner Ltd., to produce a one-hour pilot episode that aired on CBS. The show did not make the fall schedule; instead, CBS decided to show it and have viewers call in and vote to put it on the schedule. About 44,000 people called in, with over 40,000 of them voting in favor of the show. These numbers did not sway CBS, especially since the show did not fair well against whatever was playing on the other two networks that night, and it declined to purchase any future episodes.

The Saint (1989)

Starring Simon Dutton

In 1989 the Saint was once again welcomed back to television in six 2-hour movies featuring Simon Dutton as Simon Templar, alias the Saint. D.L. Taffner Ltd., produced the episodes as part of The Mystery Wheel of Adventure, a series of ten new made-for-TV movies.

Bob Baker was involved as a consultant to the series, but Charteris' expertise was not utilized and his criticisms were ignored.