I got a chance to see some of the episodes from the early 60's on a local cable channel a few months back,and I can't believe that the show's first three seasons were shot lived in black and white(before the show changed over to a film technique in 1965). However,"The Avengers",was one of the best spy shows ever to come from Europe and it was a runaway hit here in the states. I saw the episodes where Honor Blackman(who played agent Cathy Gale) was simply gorgeous indeed....beauty combined with deadly precision and great taste,and she really was something to see before she got with Sean Connery in "Goldfinger" after leaving the show during the 1963-1964 season. Diana Rigg as Emma Peel was simply in one word: astoundishing!!,and with a deadly kick that can knock any man (or woman in that matter)out,and she was just liked Blackman in a sense,but very stylish,and very witty indeed. Patrick Macnee was truly a English gentlemen,and there will never be another one like him who in any episode always had an ace up his sleeve or bowler for that matter. It was never the same after Rigg left the show in 1967 to pursue other interests particularly ending up as the wife of James Bond 007 in "Her Majesty's Secret Service" with George Lazenby(1969),and hosting a mystery show on Public Television Stations here in the states.
Interesting Note: They made a movie based on this as well with Ralph Finnes, and Uma Thurman that somewhat didn't fair with the public,but as for the TV series is concern..it was one of the best international hits ever devised and its still on the air in repeats!!
