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Having "done" Department S it seemed only right and proper that the next ITC classic on my list be its spin-off "Jason King". My memories of the series were that it was rubbish. After the quirkiness and cleverness of Department S, Jason King was a much more straightforward action series which looked hideous and bored the pants off me. I think I’d only seen a couple of episodes – they released two per tape in those days so I had six Department S episodes and only two Jason Kings on which to form my teenage opinions – and it seemed to be a vastly inferior show. But revisiting it seemed to be a good thing to do so I duly ordered the Region 1 release from Play USA. It’s subsequently been released over here in a much better boxed set but I’m not – grumble – bitter. My NTSC set cost £22 and they stung me a further £12 for customs duty. You will have noticed that is an appalling 54% tax. I don’t know how Her Majesty gets away with this customs and excise racket. She must have friends in high places. The guide will follow a similar format to both my Department S one and the many better guides available on this site. Title Self explanatory I feel. Air date In so far as series like this had an original air date. It seems to vary from house to house. It was late 1971 and early 1972 – that’s all that really matters. Exotic locations They globe trotted and I’ll hopefully provide a list of the many and exiting locales visited by Jason and his cast of characters. Glamorous women What would the series be without some babes? Some will be good, some bad, some hot, some cold and some might even keep their clothes on. The fashion plate… Jason King’s wardrobe at its finest. Every jacket, trouser, crease, cravat, scarf, dressing gown and snazzy cardigan in sarcasticolor (a patented fusion of sarcasm and technicolor). ...and his manly chest Jason isn’t just noted for his taste in clothes – he also has a hairy chest which he gets out to give the ladies at home a bit of a (sly wink) thrill. A fight breaks out It happens – you can’t go around the world being Jason King without people trying to attack you. Famous faces ITC dusted their shows with people who are well known from other things and this will point a few of them out. Chapter... A recap of the plot in all its glory with a few telesnaps to brighten it up. ...and verse A few reviewing thoughts having sat through the episode. Score out of five How many colour Jason Kings will it get?
For those that have never enjoyed the opening title sequence of Jason King, it goes something like this. Open on a typewriter filmed through a nauseating filter. It makes the humble typewriter look like a lava lamp.
Change the colour scheme and spell out the name of the series. So far it's all typing - I hope it gets better.
JASON KING. One day I'll digitally remaster it and make it JASON KING~! to do justice to it.
Our first look at our star. He looks younger than he did in the earlier "Department S". I suspect someone has been at the hair products.
Insert some film sequences of him hanging about. Actually, I think the designer of these credits has inadvertently predicted the invention of the laptop computer.
It's sparse on names - Dennis Spooner gets second billing. Isn't "Executive story consultant" the best job title ever? It implies he does next to nothing and gets paid a lot for it.
Kissing beautiful women - two at a time because Jason King is a busy man. They're literally queuing up for him.
More action sequences - this time he fails at yoyoing. Our hero is a piece of cheese.
The third credit - the man who made the music you're listening to and so many other iconic theme tunes.
Jason's moustache looking all dangerous.
Good old Monty Berman - he's a hallmark of quality. Spooner and Berman don't get their dues for making good telly.
And then it's time for the fun to begin. |
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Jason
King
