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The Third Man

  • TV Series
  • 1959–19651959–1965
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
188
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Third Man (1959)
  • Crime
  • Drama
Harry Lime makes money dealing art and solves crime to save his life.Harry Lime makes money dealing art and solves crime to save his life.Harry Lime makes money dealing art and solves crime to save his life.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
188
YOUR RATING
  • Stars
    • Michael Rennie
    • Jonathan Harris
    • Naomi Chance
Top credits
  • Stars
    • Michael Rennie
    • Jonathan Harris
    • Naomi Chance
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 7User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Episodes77

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Photos8

    John Crawford and Marius Goring in The Third Man (1959)
    John Crawford, Joanna Dunham, and Marius Goring in The Third Man (1959)
    Joanna Dunham and Marius Goring in The Third Man (1959)
    Marius Goring and Michael Rennie in The Third Man (1959)
    Marius Goring in The Third Man (1959)
    Jonathan Harris and Michael Rennie in The Third Man (1959)
    Michael Rennie in The Third Man (1959)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Rennie
    Michael Rennie
    • Harry Limeas Harry Lime
    77 episodes77 eps • 1959–1965
    Jonathan Harris
    Jonathan Harris
    • Bradford Websteras Bradford Webster
    71 episodes71 eps • 1959–1965
    Naomi Chance
    • Janetas Janet
    7 episodes7 eps • 1959
    Rupert Davies
    Rupert Davies
    • Insp. Arthur Shillingsas Insp. Arthur Shillings…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1959
    Bek Nelson
    Bek Nelson
    • Lindaas Linda…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1959
    Roger Delgado
    Roger Delgado
    • Henri Boncaras Henri Boncar…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1959–1965
    Oscar Beregi Jr.
    Oscar Beregi Jr.
    • Kamal Hakimas Kamal Hakim…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1959–1963
    George Pastell
    George Pastell
    • Prakrianas Prakrian
    3 episodes3 eps • 1959–1965
    Gerard Heinz
    Gerard Heinz
    • Johannsenas Johannsen
    3 episodes3 eps • 1959–1965
    André Mikhelson
    • St. Remyas St. Remy
    3 episodes3 eps • 1959–1965
    Laurie Main
    Laurie Main
    • Dennis Nesbitas Dennis Nesbit
    3 episodes3 eps • 1963–1965
    Yvonne Romain
    Yvonne Romain
    • Consuela Rondaas Consuela Ronda…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1959–1964
    Ferdy Mayne
    Ferdy Mayne
    • Bertollias Bertolli…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1959–1964
    John Holland
    John Holland
    • Paul Priceas Paul Price…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1959–1963
    Abraham Sofaer
    Abraham Sofaer
    • General Mariusas General Marius…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1959–1964
    Ziva Rodann
    Ziva Rodann
    • Elena Villanoas Elena Villano…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1959–1963
    John Wengraf
    John Wengraf
    • Baronas Baron…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1959
    Frank DeKova
    Frank DeKova
    • Arlattias Arlatti…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1959–1964
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Harry Lime makes money dealing art and solves crime to save his life.
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      James Mason had been considered for the part of Harry Lime.
    • Connections
      Featured in Never Fear Smith Is Here! (1994)

    User reviews7

    Review
    Top review
    Entertaining, "Saint"-like Adventure Series...
    "The Third Man", at first glance, would seem an odd choice of movie to adapt into a television series. The Carol Reed-directed 1949 thriller, was, after all, about a notorious criminal, Harry Lime, and his plot to convince Interpol and the Vienna police that he was dead, to allow him to continue his corrupt activities. A film rich in atmosphere, with an unforgettable sewer chase finale, and a haunting, yet lilting zither theme, it seemed to offer little to hinge a television program on.

    But the BBC was enjoying a 'rebirth' in the 1950s, aided by a large input of American money from the use of British studios and production companies (for tax purposes, many American studios utilized British facilities, throughout the decade), and as the British studios became stronger, the quality of the television product being offered to the BBC improved, as well. "The Third Man" was actually an ideal candidate for television, as it had been a world-wide success, and, as it had offered American actors Orson Welles and Joseph Cotton in the leads, a series based on the film opened a door to a potential American market that few other British film titles could match.

    Of course, Welles and Cotton would never agree to star in a weekly series, but in the retooled format of "The Third Man" (involving the international 'Robin Hood'-like escapades of a wealthy 'art dealer' with an obligation to Interpol, and his associate/friend), the BBC was able to utilize the services of Michael Rennie as a 'kinder and gentler' Harry Lime. Rennie was very familiar to audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, having starred as 'Klaatu' in the classic THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, as well as the Christian leader, Simon Peter, in THE ROBE. His Harry Lime possessed a wry sense of humor, a strong code of honor, and a naughty habit of 'tweaking' law enforcement noses while pulling off his capers (qualities that would be 'inherited' by Simon Templar when "The Saint" became a weekly series, in 1962).

    The true pleasure of the "The Third Man", however, was watching Lime's loyal, if somewhat cowardly assistant, Bradford Webster, portrayed to perfection by Jonathan Harris. Webster had the aplomb of a Clifton Webb, but the ineptitude of Nigel Bruce's 'Dr. Watson', and Harris was so endearing in the role that he recreated virtually the same character as 'Dr. Zachary Smith' in "Lost in Space", which debuted shortly after "The Third Man" completed production. Rennie and Harris had a warm, wonderful chemistry together, and made each episode a delight.

    As with nearly all of the 'international' shows of the 50s and 60s ("I Spy" was the only exception), the episodes were shot in the studio or on the back lot, with set 'dressing' and costumes creating the exotic flavor of the 'foreign' locales. While this tends to make the episodes appear 'low budget', today, to the audiences of the time, it was all wonderful escapism. And that theme song is ageless!

    If "The Third Man" reappears on a 'nostalgia' channel, check it out...it is really a very entertaining series!
    helpful•67
    2
    • cariart
    • Jan 20, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 29, 1959 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Trzeci człowiek
    • Filming locations
      • 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
      • National Telefilm Associates (NTA)
      • Prestige Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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