The New Avengers, Series 1 — Episode 11
Three Handed Game

Production details

Produced:August, 1976

Regional broadcasts

Broadcaster	Date	Time
Thames Television	19/01/1977	8:00pm
ATV Midlands	14/01/1977	7:30pm
Granada Television	14/01/1977	7:30pm
Anglia Television	19/01/1977	8:00pm
Border Television	30/03/1977	8:00pm
Channel Television	14/01/1977	7:30pm
Grampian Television	30/03/1977	8:00pm
Southern Television	14/01/1977	8:00pm
Scottish Television	30/03/1977	8:00pm
Tyne Tees Television	30/03/1977	8:00pm
Ulster Television	14/01/1977	7:30pm
Westward Television	14/01/1977	7:30pm
Harlech Television	5/12/1976	7:50pm
Yorkshire Television	30/03/1977	8:00pm

This episode was shown in the Netherlands before it was broadcast on any ITV region in the UK, see below.

TV Times listing

International broadcasts

ABN2 Sydney, Australia	11/05/1977	8:30pm
ABV2 Melbourne, Australia	16/03/1977	8:30pm
ABC New York, USA	12/01/1979	11:30pm
TF1 France	5/02/1977	9:35pm
Suisse Romande, Switzerland	4/04/1977	8:15pm
French title	Jeu à trois mains
ZDF Germany
German title	Drei minus eins gleich null
KRO Netherlands	2/12/1976	8:25pm
Dutch title	De Geheugenbank
Italy	20/07/1978	10:05pm
Italian title	Partita a tre mani
Spain	30/08/81	7:35pm
Spanish title	Juego a tres manos

On March 16 1977, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory viewers instead saw a Rod Stewart concert film, Rod the Mod Comes of Age instead of Three Handed Game. Victoria stuck to their guns and showed the Rod Stewart concert on the Friday night, March 18 1977. As a consequence, in NSW and the ACT, viewers had to wait until the 11^th of May to see Three Handed Game, the week after the nationally pre-empted Sleeper.

This episode was shown in the Netherlands on December 2 1976, three days before it was broadcast on any ITV region in the UK.

Continuity and trivia

Is it just me, or does Juventor remind you of Waldo Thyssen with his manic manner, neatly clipped moustache and stuttering speech?

Those clowns! If it weren’t enough that every second episode of the Tara King season seemed to have clowns in it, now we have Purdey mucking about in the dressing room, putting clown makeup on. Enough already!

This episode has a video Q&A and commentary with David Wood and Philip Hawkins on the Lives in the Pictures YouTube channel.

The Transport

Marque	Colour	Number Plate
submarine	grey	?
Gambit’s Jaguar XJ-S [XJ27] 1976	red	NRW 875P
Bedford CF van 1975	white	?
Triumph Spitfire Mk IV 1973	yellow	?
Daimler Sovereign XJC Saloon 1975	black	XYP 14N
Honda TL 125 trail bike 1975	red & grey	n/a
Steed’s “big cat” Jaguar XJ12 C Broadspeed 5.3 Litre Coupe Automatic 1976	british racing green	NWK 60P
Renault 4 Export 1966	white	PRJ 687E
Purdey’s MGB Mk III 1976 drophead roadster	sandglow	MOC 232P
March 75B F2 1975 racing car	red	15
Ford Transit Mk I van 1972	white with yellow/black ‘David Palmer Racing’ logo	LLF 351K
Bedford SB van	red	?
March 75B F2 1975 racing car	red	157
Ford Escort van 1974	white	JYW 297M
Ford Escort van	dark green	?
Wolesley 18/85 S Mk II 1971	dark grey	?

Who’s Killing Whom?

Victim	Killer	Method
Professor	Juventor	silenced pistol
Ranson	Juventor	Juventor’s brain is transferred to Ranson’s body, effectively eliminating Ranson.

The Fashions

Gambit’s fashions

1. black tuxedo, silk cummerbund, frilled dress shirt, black bow tie
2. suede jacket, cream rollneck, brown trousers
3. navy pinstripe suit, navy tie, pale blue shirt with navy pinstripes
4. red towel

Purdey’s fashions

1. silver/purple high collared Catherine Buckley
2. purple cardigan with scarf, purple open necked blouse, brown culottes
3. red/purple/orange checked v-neck dress with black piping and details, later with clown makeup
4. purple patch Catherine Buckley skirt, cream wide lapel blouse, red and white neckscarf, pearl necklace

Steed’s fashions

1. blue single-breasted 3-piece suit, blue shirt, blue tie with white spot
2. dark green velvet tuxedo, white dress shirt, black bow tie, black cummerbund
3. blue single-breasted 3-piece suit, blue shirt, purple tie
4. grey single-breasted 3-piece suit, purple tie with white spot, pale grey shirt, grey bowler, umbrella & Chelsea boots