Series 3 — Episode 8
Second Sight
by Martin Woodhouse
Designed by Terry Green
Directed by Peter Hammond
Production No 3612, VTR/ABC/3033
Production completed: October 11 1963. First transmission: November 16 1963.
Production Schedule
(Episode 65)
Production Number : 3612
VTR/ABC/3033
Teddington Studio 1
Thursday, 10th October, 1963
| Camera rehearsal | 10.00–12.30 |
| Lunch break | 12.30–13.30 |
| Camera rehearsal | 13.30–18.00 |
| Supper break | 18.00–19.00 |
| Camera rehearsal | 19.00–21.00 |
Friday, 11th October, 1963
| Camera rehearsal | 10.00–13.00 |
| Lunch break | 13.00–14.00 |
| Camera rehearsal | 14.00–15.30 |
| Tea break, line up, normal scan, make-up |
15.30–16.15 |
| Dress rehearsal | 16.15–17.30 |
| Notes | 17.30–18.00 |
| Line-up | 18.00–18.30 |
| VTR | 18.30–19.30 |
Running time
Expected: 51′25″ excluding commercial breaks
Actual running time with bumpers: 51′30″
The bumpers between the acts are generally 10 seconds from fade in to the “End of Act” bumper to the end of audio before the commercial, a 10 second still without audio, then cut to the next act bumper. This would play with the theme for around 10 seconds. Accordingly, with the episodes being in 3 acts, the running time of the action is approximately a minute less than listed above, minus the opening credits (normally 0′16″ with a 2″ fade) and closing credits (anywhere from 0′41″ to 1′20″, hard cut or 1″ fade or mix).
Equipment
| Cameras: | Five Pedestals, Turner Arm. Cameras 5 & 6 on rostrum.
Camera |
|---|---|
| Sound: | Four booms. |
| Telecine: | Opening film only and caption scanner. |
Transmission
| Broadcaster | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| ATV London | 16/11/1963 | 10.05pm |
| ABC Midlands | 16/11/1963 | 8.55pm |
| ABC North | 16/11/1963 | 8.55pm |
| Anglia Television | 16/11/1963 | 8.55pm |
| Border Television | 16/11/1963 | 10.05pm |
| Channel Television | 16/11/1963 | 10.05pm |
| Grampian Television | 17/11/1963 | 10.35pm |
| Southern Television | 16/11/1963 | 10.05pm |
| Scottish Television | 16/11/1963 | 10.25pm |
| Tyne Tees Television | 16/11/1963 | 8.55pm |
| Ulster Television | 16/11/1963 | 8.55pm |
| Westward Television | 16/11/1963 | 10.05pm |
| Television Wales & West | 16/11/1963 | 8.55pm |
| Teledu Cymru (WWN) | 16/11/1963 | 8.55pm |
| ABN2 Sydney | 26/05/1964 | 8.00pm |
| ABV2 Melbourne | 24/12/1964 | 7.30pm |
TV Times listing
10.5 The Avengers
starring
Patrick Macnee
Honor Blackman
in
Second Sight
By Martin Woodhouse
Cast
| Dr. Vilner | Steven Scott |
| Neil Anstice | Peter Bowles |
| Dr. Even Hawn | Judy Bruce |
| John Steed | Patrick Macnee |
| Catherine Gale | Honor Blackman |
| Marten Halvarssen | John Carson |
| Dr. Spender | Ronald Adam |
| Steiner | Terry Brewer |
The Avengers theme composed and
played by Johnny Dankworth
Honor Blackman’s wardrobe
designed by Frederick Starke
Settings by Terry Green
Produced by John Bryce
Directed by Peter Hammond
In which Steed fights in the dark, and Cathy exposes a millionaire’s precious light
ABC Television Network Production
Murders
| Victim | Killer | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Hilda Brauer | Steiner? | drowned? (prior to episode) |
| Dr. Spender | Steiner | Strangled |
| Anstice | Halvarssen | Revolver (maybe) |
Continuity and trivia
- 2:01 — the titles have a drop shadow so they’re readable, superimposed on the marble head.
- 2:10 — the cameraman struggles with the focus during the introduction of Cathy and Steed; it’s not until 2:25 that things settle down.
- 24:37 — One of the crew exhales audibly, suppressing a cough, as Cathy goes back up the stairs.
- 28:24 — the boom microphone heaves into view at the top right of the screen as Anstice bends down to tell the ‘patient’ he’s letting the others in.
- 32:37 — we’re in Switzerland and there’s an English clock on the wall!
- 41:10 — there’s a vague shadow from the boom microphone over Halvarssen’s face in the mid shot.
- 42:17 — Hilda Brauer’s real name is Henrietta Miller.