1999's Saint and Charteris News
Please e-mail any current news and rumors about The Saint to:
December 7, 1999: Death of a Saint
Noted Saint expert, Paul M. James passed away peacefully on Saturday, 12/4/99, at 1:02 PM.
He had been back in the hospital since Monday 11/29/99.
He will be buried on Thursday, 12/9/99, at 11:00 in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery.
Paul was one of the world's leading experts on The Saint, who Leslie Charteris
often referred to as "the person who knows more about me than I know myself."
Paul James was a huge help in my research, and was a fabulous correspondent.
Burl Barer writes,
"A decade ago, when I began research into the life and career of Leslie
Charteris, it was Charteris himself who directed me to Paul James. Mr.
James was not only a fountain of knowledge, resources, and information, he
was kind, generous, and eager to share. I owe a good portion of the success
of my book, THE SAINT: A COMPLETE HISTORY, to Mr. James' suggestions,
guidance, and contributions. Although we never met face to face, I
considered Paul James a true friend. As such, he will be missed."
November 18, 1999: Saint Who?
With Michael French apparently out of the running (see November 17th news below),
the latest rumor is that
Paul McGann
of "Doctor Who" fame is a potential Saint
for a new British TV series. Caroline Langrishe could certainly still be
slated for the Patricia Holm role.
November 17, 1999: Michael French Series Debunked
Michael French and his agent Roxana Vaka have apparently had numerous calls
about the Saint series since the August 22nd rumor broke.
They have told everyone that they know nothing about it and no one had
contacted them. They conceded that it might be possible that "someone has him in mind for a
future project and hasn't contacted us yet. Obviously Michael would be keen
to hear about it if he could fit it into his schedule. The Saint is a dream
role for any actor".
When asked if there was definitely no truth to the rumour, Roxana replied,
"Well if Michael is playing the Saint I don't know anything about it... and I am his agent..."
Well, I'd say that was a pretty good "no", wouldn't you.
Caroline Langrishe's agent was also completely unaware of the project.
She said that, "No one has contacted us at this point, and I was completely
unaware of the series. Still it would be nice to see The Saint return and one
always appreciates that people enjoy the work of one our actors".
When told that the role they have rumoured for Caroline is the Saint's
long-time lover who appeared in the books, Caroline's agent agreed that
Caroline would be good in the part. "Caroline has all the right qualities for Patricia Holm. I
think it is too soon after the Val Kilmer movie for there to be anything
definite yet. It usually takes a while to put these things together".
It was very interesting that Caroline's agent knew the name of Patricia Holm without
prompting. Perhaps she is just a big fan of Charteris' books!
October 14, 1999: Happy Birthday Saint Roger
Happy birthday to Saint Roger Moore who is 72 today!
Roger is a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, and currently appears in "The
Dream Team" television show.
September 30, 1999: Max Allan Collins' Hindenburg
According to an interview in January Magazine, Leslie Charteris will be a featured character in
the upcoming book, "The Hindenburg Murders," by Max Allan Collins. The story is a fictionalized
murder mystery on the last flight of the Hindenburg. Leslie Charteris was used because he was
actually on board the maiden flight of the Hindenburg, and he makes a great "Saintly" character (the
book will even include classically lengthy Charteris-like chapter titles.
Read the entire interview
on January's website.
September 22, 1999: Saint Books for Sale
For those of you interested in buying some Saint
books, I have added and updated the lots available on my
sales shelves.
If I don't have what you are looking for, you can always
search
Amazon.com for books that you would like to buy:
September 22, 1999: Saintly Gadgets
Here are a few gadgets that I have recently considered, bought, or used. I think they are
all quite suitable for the Saint. Check them out!
- Palm V organizer
from 3COM. A really sophisticated handheld device with a cool anodized-aluminum case.
- Garmin GPS III Plus Personal Navigator
for tracking your current location using global satelite positioning. This is a serious tool, and well worth the price.
- Panasonic Portable DVD Player,
model DVD-L50 PalmTheater. This lets you watch movies or listen to audio CD's out in the field.
- Motorola TalkAbout 280 SLK-AA
2-Way Radio. You will need two of these; they have up to a two-mile range.
- Uniden BC245XLT Handheld Scanner
for listening in on 300 channels, 12 bands--including police, fire, air, marine, railroad, and other frequencies. Track multiple
trunked radio systems simultaneously!
- Diamond Rio 500
64-MB USB MP3 Player. This little gadget allows you to play two hours of MP3 music files or 32 hours of
spoken word--plenty to get the complete lowdown and background on any Saintly scenario. Color: "Teal"... of course.
September 6, 1999: Writers on Writing
Saintly author Burl Barer was recently interviewed for a half-hour on the L.A. area radio
program, Writers on Writing. He discussed and read from THE SAINT (movie novelization), and
discussed the unique structure and stylistic challenges of writing CAPTURE THE SAINT.
The program was so well received that Barer will soon be invited back for an entire full hour
segment.
Burl's next book, Murder in the Family, is coming in June 2000 from Pinnacle True Crime
August 23, 1999: Saint Errant Reprinted
Chivers has just recently reprinted "Saint Errant" under their Black Dagger imprint. Apparently
the reprint was prompted because, "...there is supposed to be a film version of The Saint
in the pipeline, so there will be renewed interest."
Order it today from
Amazon.com booksellers.
August 22, 1999: New Saint TV Show Rumors
Rumors of a new show are not a million miles off target. Talks are presently
ongoing with a number of interested parties.
Michael French is an English actor who rose to fame starring as an East-end
wideboy in the BBC soap opera EASTENDERS. He's currently starring as a doctor
in the BBC's medical soap HOLBY CITY (and the English press love to think of
him as the UK's answer to George Clooney).
The plotline for French's Saint has him as a Goverment agent based in the
basement of a computer warehouse. The initial 2 hour pilot will contain
'techinical wizardry' to assist Templar.
There are a number of other interested parties, one of whom has suggested a 2
hour pilot based on John Goldsmith's THE SAINT STEPS OUT.
August 20, 1999: An East End Saint?
From "TV Times", an UK television magazine, dated August 20th, 1999:
Former
EastEnders star Michael French is set to follow in the
footsteps of both Roger Moore and Ian Ogilvy--by becoming the
latest incarnation of TV hero The Saint.
Leslie Charteris' creation Simon Templar was a sensation
throughout the Sixties and Seventies and is hoped to win a
whole new audience when it returns with a fresh Nineties twist.
The news comes despite the failure of Val Kilmer's film
version.
Templar will now be a "ghost"--a Government agent whose
identity is totally erased so that he's untraceable. With a
hidden underground base in a computer warehouse, Templar uses
technical wizardry to infiltrate a variety of corrupt business
empires and terrorist groups.
With an initial two-hour movie pilot being planned, if it's
a success that will allow time to create the elaborate special
computer effects that the stories will require. Templar uses a
virtual reality world at one point of the first story, to
locate a missing woman's body.
The Saint will also now have a partner for the first time,
with Lovejoy's ex-girlfriend, Caroline Langrishe, a favourite
contender for the part.
The character will be an art gallery owner whom Templar is
dating, only for him to discover she's a spy as well.
August 19, 1999: Saint Goldsmith Polishes Niven
Former Saint scribe John Goldsmith is busy finishing a television film
adaptation of David Niven's best- selling memoirs, The Moon's a Balloon.
Due to be written by the end of September, the film will tell the story of
Niven's early life in the Army and his first forays into Hollywood. It will
be made by a major broadcaster.
To make the film, producer Tony Virgo has set up a company called Old Field
Productions with Nigel Havers - who will play Niven - and the actor's
American agent Russ Lister. Ah, what might have been if Niven had ever
played The Saint.
August 18, 1999: Roger Moore Part Of Action 'Team'
HOLLYWOOD--(Variety)--Aug. 18, 1999--Former James Bond
star Roger Moore, who spends his time these days as a goodwill
ambassador for UNICEF, is slated to return to the television
landscape next month in a syndicated action show called "The
Dream Team."
Moore, 71, will play the leader of an elite squadron of
intelligence agents fighting evil, with Jeff Kaake, Angie
Everhart, Traci Bingham and Eva Halina starring as the buff
warriors. It is set for a Sept. 25 debut, and is cleared in 85%
of the country.
In addition to working in seven Bond movies, Moore starred
in such TV series as "The Saint" and cult hit "The Persuaders"
with Tony Curtis.
August 17, 1999: Roger Moore Joins 'The Dream Team'
It's An International Coup! Roger Moore Joins
'The Dream Team'
LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Aug. 17, 1999--Roger
Moore, the personification of style, class and international
prestige, has joined the cast of "The Dream Team," the new
syndicated show from Hamilton Entertainment which begins airing
Sept. 25 across the United States.
Hamilton's European partner, Expand, will distribute the
show throughout Europe.
Moore will play the mysterious leader of "The Dream Team,"
an elite squadron of intelligence agents fighting an enemy that
knows only revenge, opportunity and greed. Assembled from both
sides of the cold war, they're a 'dream team' of criminal
interdiction, but a nightmare for drug lords and rogue
terrorists.
Based in tropical Puerto Rico, "The Dream team" operates
under the cover of a high-profile commercial production studio
of the same name. Fusing elements of classic TV crime and spy
dramas like "Miami Vice," "Charlie's Angels" and "Mission:
Impossible," "The Dream Team" delivers thrilling action,
explosive stunts, exotic locations and gorgeous talent to an
international audience.
The show also stars well-known TV star Jeff Kaake ("Viper,"
"Dynasty"), actress/supermodel Angie Everhart ("Jade," "Last
Action Hero"), Traci Bingham ("Baywatch") and former Miss
Poland Eva Halina.
Moore is best known for playing James Bond, Agent 007, in
the internationally acclaimed film series. He has appeared in
seven Bond films: "Live and Let Die," "The Man With the Golden
Gun," "The Spy Who Loved Me," "For Your Eyes Only,"
"Moonraker," "Octopussy" and "A View to A Kill."
His first picture in the United States was "The Last Time I
Saw Paris" for MGM with Elizabeth Taylor and Van Johnson, which
was followed by "Interrupted Melody," "Diane" with Lana Turner,
"The Wild Geese" with Richard Burton, "Ffolkes," "The Sea
Wolves" with Gregory Peck and "The Cannonball Run" with Burt
Reynolds.
Moore has also starred in such television shows as "The
Saint," "The Persuaders" with Tony Curtis, "The Alaskans,"
"Ivanhoe" and "Maverick." "The Dream Team" marks his first
return to television in 16 years.
Dean Hamilton, executive producer and president of Hamilton
Entertainment, commented, "Roger Moore is one of the most
recognizable actors in the world and we are honored that he has
chosen to join us."
Moore is currently the roving ambassador for UNICEF,
traveling throughout the world giving speeches and raising
funds for the international children's charity.
"The Dream Team" will air across the United States and is
currently cleared in 85% of the markets, including WWOR-TV/New
York -- the No. 1 market in the United States in the prime slot
of Sunday at 4 p.m.; WCIU-TV/Chicago, Sunday at 3 p.m.; and on
KCOP-TV/Los Angeles, in a key time slot.
July 4, 1999: Fan List
I have been going through old e-mails, and have added
some more people to my ever-growing list
of Saint fans. If you are a devoted fan of Leslie Charteris
and the Saint, please e-mail me
with the details of your collection, interests, Saint-related
anecdotes, and any contact information you'd like listed.
July 1, 1999: The Saint on Kenyan TV
The Saint, starring Roger Moore, is on a local
television station in Kenya.
June 10, 1999: New Swedish Saint Site
In Swedish, "the saint" is translated to "helgonet".
Therefore, some Swedish Saint fans have created the domain
"helgo.net" devoted to Simon Templar.
Take a look at http://helgo.net/simon/
May 12, 1999: Happy Birthday LC
Today, May 12th, would have been Leslie Charteris'
92nd birthday. Born Leslie Charles Bowyer Yin in Singapore
(then a British colony) on May 12, 1907, Leslie legally changed
his name by deed-poll to Leslie Charteris in 1926. He died in
Windsor, England on April 15, 1993 at age 85. For more
information, check out the biography
section of this web site.
May 7, 1999: Entrapment
If you are a Saint fan looking for a film to see this
month, you should go see Sean Connery in Entrapment.
Sean Connery plays a wealthy thief, very much in the line with
The Saint. Okay, so he is much older than any Saint, and he
drives a Jaguar instead of a Volvo, but so did Ian Ogilvy in
Return of the Saint. I know the comparisons are tenuous, but
Sean was James Bond, and so was Roger Moore.
It is strange that most film critics do not compare
Entrapment to the Saint--most try to write it as an older 007
in their reviews. James Bond wasn't a thief, he was a spy. When
Val Kilmer's The Saint came out, many critics called it a spy
thriller... The Saint isn't a spy, he is a thief.
Entrapment also has the same guy in that black "bondage"
suit jumping off a roof...
April 26, 1999: Saintly Flashes
In a recent episode
of the Fox series Millennium,
Frank Black's daughter, Jordan, began having psychic flashes.
She kept repeating the name Simon over and over again. Later in
the episode, Emma Hollis was in the computer labs at the FBI
when the screens in the room began flashing photos of famous
Simons. A couple of quick glimpses of Roger Moore were obvious,
but in an over the shoulder shot of the PC behind Emma, the
viewer could clearly read "Simon Templar" as it flashed. It was
done very quickly, but it's there.
March 9, 1999: Saint Roger at Her Majesty's Service
Saint Roger Moore received a CBE from the Queen at
Buckingham Palace this week for his services to charity. Roger
has been a special ambassador for the United Nations children's
charity Unicef for nine years and travels the world
fund-raising and campaigning to end cruelty to children.
After the investiture, he said: "I was a bit nervous, mainly
because you don't get a rehearsal for this and I am used to
having rehearsals before I perform.
"The Queen asked me if I had discovered many things in my
years working for Unicef and I told her I had learnt a lot in
the past nine years.
"Working with Unicef made me grow up and realise how
fortunate I am."
But he said the Queen did not mention whether she had seen
any of his films. "I think the Queen has rather different
viewing tastes," he added.
Full details, and photograph can be found on the BBC
website.
March 7, 1999: Roger Moore Sues Over ITC Deal
In an action that raises a red flag about the rerun
rights to the films in the ITC television and film library that
the U.K.'s Carlton Communications has agreed to buy from
Universal, actor Roger Moore has filed suit in London over the
'70s series The Persuaders. Moore alleges in the suit that ITC
made a deal with him last year to allow it to sell rerun rights
to his earlier series, The Saint, to Granada Sky Broadcasting.
However, he said, ITC, without his consent -- and without
additional payment to him -- also included The Persuaders in
the GSkyB package. Moore's fame -- and worth -- soared after
the two TV series when he took over the role of James Bond in
the MGM movie franchise. His legal action comes as Carlton,
which agreed to buy the ITC library less than two weeks ago, is
conducting due diligence over the deal.
February 28, 1999: Saintly Author Update
Saintly author Burl Barer has signed a new contract
with Kensington Publishing for MURDER IN THE FAMILY. This
non-fiction book will be published by Pinnacle True Crime as
part of their own going series of original true crime
paperbacks. MURDER IN THE FAMILY concerns the 1987 murder of
Nancy Newman and her two young children, and how Anchorage
police finally nabbed the culprit -- the Newman's 23 year old
nephew. "This is not as much fun to write as a rousing Saint
adventure," admits Barer, "but it is a tesitimony to the
dedication and perserverance of those who devoted themselves to
stopping one of the most ungodly killers ever to panic an
entire town before he killed again."
A more lighthearted short story, LUMINA, graces the back
cover of the March issue of Murderous Intent Magazine,
available soon at better newsstands and bookstores everywhere.
February 8, 1999: The Saint on Pakistani TV
Pakistan Television Corporation's 'PTV World' channel
began airing the Roger Moore series of The Saint since 28th
January 1999. The show airs every Thursday at 11:35p.m. PST (
Pakistan Standard Time which is +5 GMT). The color episodes are
crystal clear & there are no commercial breaks.
The most interesting thing is that this "free to air
channel" is available through terrestrial signal in Pakistan
& via AsiaSat 1 Satellite to 38 other Asian countries, that
means billions of viewers.
Presently the episodes aired are of the last 1968-69 series.
The first one shown on 28th January was "Legacy for the Saint"
followed by "The Organisation man" on 4th February.
January 20, 1999: The Saint Sold!
Carlton buys TV, film library for $150 mln
LONDON, Jan 19 (Reuters)
- Carlton Communications Plc said on Tuesday it would buy the
prestigious ITC television and film library from Universal
Studios Inc. for $150 million.
The library, which includes over 300 films and over 5,000
hours of mainly British television programs, more than doubles
Carlton's programming catalogue to strengthen the company's
position as the largest commercial distributor of British TV
programmes and films, Carlton said.
It boasts such feature films as On Golden Pond and The Eagle
Has Landed, as well as small screen favorites like The Saint,
Thunderbirds and the Persuaders.
"We have always believed content is king -- and the ITC
library is the jewel in the crown," Carlton's Chairman Michael
Green said. "We can now re-unite it with the other gems from
Britain's film and television heritage in our excellent
library."
The deal expands Carlton's library catalogue to over 15,000
hours of TV programmes, including over 2,200 films.
The transaction, expected to be completed by the end of
March, will be cash-financed and Carlton expects its new
purchase to be at least earnings enhancing in the current
financial year.
Universal inherited the ITC library from Polygram NV, which
it acquired last month for about $10.2 billion.
January 6, 1999: Murderous Intent
Saintly author Burl Barer discusses his love for the
Immortal Works of Leslie Charteris in the Winter 1998 issue of
Murderous
Intent Mystery Magazine, now on sale at better bookstores.
A new short story by Burl Barer, "Lumina," will be featured
in the March issue of Murderous Intent.
The opening
chapter of Burl Barer's new novel (non-Saint) HEADLOCK is
featured in the latest issue of THRILLING DETECTIVE, an on-line
mystery magazine.
January 3, 1999: The Saint's Renault
Eagle-eyed Saints may raise an eyebrow at the latest
UK ad campaign for the Renault Scenic.
The TV ad features a montage of clips from old movies and
the like, the one constant is the Renault Scenic which is being
driven through all the scenes. Towards the very end a lovely
young lady climbs into the car which is being driven by a very
Saintly Roger Moore in a clip taken from the 60s TV show.
You'll have to keep your eyes open as it's a short
clip--there's just enough time for Roger to smile at the lady
and raise an eyebrow before they cut to the end of the ad.
News and Rumors Archives
If you want more Saint news, there was lots of news in
2010,
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2008,
2007,
2006,
2005,
2004,
2003,
2002,
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