A youngish Saint
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- June
- 29
I first became a fan of The Saint — Leslie Charteris’ fictional adventurer/thief — by watching Roger Moore in the role on my television screen.
But after being hooked, I sought out the originals (like any other bibliophile) to enjoy at my leisure. I’ve managed to acquire a half-dozen books and recently acquired a particularly moldy version of “Getaway” in a Crime Club edition copyrighted in 1932.
“Getaway” is dedicated to P.G. Wodehouse “who had time to say a word for the Saint stories, when he could have written them so much better himself.”
I believe the most recent Saint incarnation was a movie from the late 1990s, but it’s been a good decade or so since Simon Templar caused any kind of a stir. A sad state of affairs, I think. Like Captain Blood or The Scarlet Pimpernel, the Saint is a character worthy of attention as much for his style as his story.
This particular Saint story takes place between World War I and World War II, in Germany and Austria and other European areas. The Saint, his girlfriend Patricia Holm and a respectable book editor, Monty Hayward, chase after some crown jewels, with a little mayhem and a crooked crown prince for entertainment.
There’s nothing like a little Saintly activity to recharge people tired of the usual. For those who haven’t read Charteris’ books, I’d suggest you give them a try. The mold you can leave to me. The stories — definitely worth a look.
This entry was posted
on Monday, June 29th, 2009 at 5:07 pm by Randi Weiner.
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yep. between secret agen man (danger man) , The Saint , The avengers and The man from U.N.C.L.E
its hard choice. do u want a remake or a retake?
or a next generation.
i dont like teh re-invents. I rather a newer story line. with newer characters. Because there are just some characters that can only be played by a particular actor.
in my opinion.
Thankfully Books keep the character in line. I think the biggest shock for me, was Reading Agatha Christies Curtains. talk about a plot twist.
I gotta do some more research, but wasn’t Curtains written earlier, when she wrote the first Poirot story? So it was while she was still at the top of her game—or at least climbing. I remember it coming out in a Mystery Club version (which I purchased, of course. I own all the Christies titles, or nearly all of them, including one or two by ‘Mary Westmacott’). Now I’m curious. Once I finish “Getaway” I’ll re-read Curtains….
It was Poirot’s last case, of course she had Tommy and Tuppence and Miss Marple.
I’ve always been partial to Harley Quinn. I didn’t really appreciate Miss Marple until much later, then she took precedence over Poirot. The Beresfords and Parker Pyne were third on the list of my favorite sleuths!
yeah there’s something about marple. I guess it was probably Agatha’s true alter ego
I found T&T intriguing because of their dynamic together.. it made for some good comedy at times.
A new 2 hour pilot film of The Saint is in development. And two Saint anthologies were published by Hodder & Stoughton last year.