I’ve been meaning to write on the recent passing of Patrick McGoohan….He was an actor I think who eschewed the normal path to a boring predictable Hollywood career instead choosing more interesting roles and also co-creating and starring in one of the most fascinating TV shows of all time THE PRISONER….Whether this was a deliberate choice or just the way his life went I don’t know.
I do know he was an engaging film and TV presence whose eyes showed a mischievous intelligence….When he played villains, it was with a flamboyant and hammy pomposity….When he played heroes, it was with a roguish twinkle and a smile of practiced sincerity.
THE PRISONER was of course the high point of his career….It is still one of the most unique and interesting and thought provoking shows ever to be shown on television….I think it had a big influence on the show LOST….It was also a lot of fun….I also found his appearances on COLUMBO as several different villains to be memorable and entertaining….He was the perfect foil to Peter Falk’s Lt. Colombo….His best villainous film role was as the king, Longshanks, in BRAVEHEART….I also liked him in SILVER STREAK, ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ, and SCANNERS.
Orson Welles had one word to say about Patrick McGoohan after seeing him in an early stage production “intimidated”.
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