TOP SECRET (1961)

Full Name:	Peter Dallas
Nationality:	British
Organization:	British Intelligence
Occupation	Agent

Creator:	Unknown
Time Span:	1961 - 1962

ABOUT THE SERIES

Peter Dallas is an agent with British Intelligence.

Was an agent, according to what I have read. I put that caveat in because I have not seen any of the televised adventures and none may actually exist. What I have to go on is comments from other sites and sources and an interpretation of things based on the synoses of the adventures.

By 'was an agent' I mean that he had decided he needed a break from all the assignments he had had, and that apparently consisted of a good number over the years. He asks for and is granted a sabbatical and heads to somewhere in South America where he had grown up. There he hoped to find rest and respite from the dangers of his profession. Unfortunately, he will meet and becomes friends with Miguel Garetta, a local successful businessman in the city Dallas is temporarily calling home.

I say unfortunately because while Garetta will prove over and again to be a good guy and good friend, he is also a man wih considerable ties to his country's Secret Service and is far too often asked to lend a bit of assistance in this matter or that. Naturally, having a new friend who is also an old hand at such things is too good of opportunity to pass up so it seems as regularly as clockwork, Garetta comes to pay his new amigo a visit and asks for a small favor or two.

Garetta's small favors seem to invariably mean heading to one part of the continent or another and finding lots of people who would rather Dallas not ask the kind of questions he asks or visit the sort of folks he drops in on and these lots of people are willing and able to show him how displeased they truly are.

TELEVISION


Number of Episodes:	26
First Appearance:	1961
Last Appearance:	1962
Network:	ITV

REGULAR CAST
William Franklyn	Peter Dallas [ 1-2 ]
Patrick Cargill	Miguel Garetta [ 1-2 ]
Alan Rothwell	Mike [ 1-2 ]
Frieda Knorr	Tina [ 1 ]

The part of the AboutTheSeries dealing with Dallas's reason for being in South America comes from the excellent The Encyclopedia of TV Spies by Dr. Wesley Britton.

The synopses shown below come from my interpretation of those on IMDB.

In either instance, any incorrectness is my fault.


1	Destination Buenos Aires Episode S1-1, first aired 08/11/1961 Director: Ian Fordyce Writer: Rex Berry Arriving in Buenos Aires to accept his first assignment from Miguel Garetta, agent Peter Dallas finds that the enemy, a formidable crime organisation, is waiting for him - with a bullet with his name on it.

2	Death on Wheels Episode S1-2, first aired 08/18/1961 Director: Ian Fordyce Writer: John Kruse Assigned to shadow a foreign president visiting Buenos Aires, Dallas finds himself given 24 hours to track down a deadly assassin who has been commissioned to kill the visitor.

3	The Dead Village Episode S1-3, first aired 08/25/1961 Director: Mark Lawton Writer: John Kruse Dallas and Mike begin their search for a top British agent who has disappeared while visiting a remote South American village - a place they find deserted. What sinister plot is afoot? The men barely escape with their lives trying to find out.

4	Merchant of Death Episode S1-4, first aired 09/01/1961 Director: John Frankau Writer: Roger Marshall Garetta's attempt to involve Dallas in his fight to destroy a powerful drug-smuggling combine almost result in the agent losing his life. His boss 'forgets' to tell Dallas that his cover is blown and the enemy are aware of his every move.

5	The Inca Dove Episode S1-5, first aired 09/08/1961 Director: Ian Fordyce Writer: Bill Strutton Dallas is assigned to wreak havoc among the troops of a ruthless dictator who threatens to put his newly-acquired kingdom under military rule, Dallas's task, to overcome the despot - by any means he deems necessary.

6	Stranger in Cantabria Episode S1-6, first aired 09/15/1961 Director: Jonathan Alwyn Writer: Richard Bates Who is the mysterious stranger who has sent a message to Dallas asking him to meet him at a secret rendezvous? What is his mission? Dallas has no option but to follow the stranger's request - his life depends upon getting the right answer.

7	Vendetta Episode S1-7, first aired 09/22/1961 Director: Mark Lawton Writer: John Warwick A murder has been announced in the local press. Garetta assigns Dallas to unmask the would-be assassin before he can commit the deed. But neither Garetta nor his agent realise that Dallas himself is the intended victim.

8	The Disappearing Trick Episode S1-8, first aired 09/29/1961 Director: Ian Fordyce Writer: Roger Marshall It's a tough mission. Dallas must fin Diaz, a man branded as a traitor by a South American government. Garetta can prove the man innocent - but Diaz has disappeared into thin air. Where does Dallas begin his search.

9	After the Fair Episode S1-9, first aired 10/06/1961 Director: John Frankau Writers: Roger Marshall, Bill Strutton Why should anyone wish to kill Halifax, recently arrived in Buenos Aires? The man seems harmless enough, but if someone is out to destroy him he must have something to hide. Dallas is assigned to find the answer.

10	X Episode S1-10, first aired 10/13/1961 Director: Jonathan Alwyn Writer: William Franklyn Is the man found exhausted and drifting in mid-ocean one of Garetta's agents? He claims to be, so Dallas is handed the task of proving his theory that 'X' is really an impostor in the pay of Garetta's enemies.

11	The Little One Is Dangerous Episode S1-11, first aired 10/20/1961 Director: John Frankau Writer: Robert Banks Stewart One of Garetta's agent is a traitor. Three of his team has been betrayed and lost their lives and Dallas must find the fourth agent before he too meets his death? Whom can he trust?

12	The Men from Yesterday Episode S1-12, first aired 10/27/1961 Director: Ian Fordyce Writer: Larry Forrester Foreign agents believe that Wolf Eberhardt is a war criminal. Garerra is assigned to prove his innocence before the enemy get their man. But Dallas, assigned to prevent Eberhardt leaving the country, loses his man en route to Buenos Aires.

13	Shakedown at Saramino Episode S1-13, first aired 11/03/1961 Director: John Frankau Writer: John Frankau Should his enemies ever find him, death will be swift for Hugo Valdes. When it appears that someone has discovered his hiding place, Garetta and Dallas have less than 12 hours to save Valdes's life.

14	Festival of Fear Episode S1-14, first aired 11/10/1961 Director: Mark Lawton Writer: John Warwick An appeal for help from an old friend takes Garetta and Dallas to Brazil - and leads them into a manhunt for a dangerous secret which could, if disclosed, upset the balance of power between two rival gangs.

15	Threat from the Past Episode S2-1, first aired 05/09/1962 Director: Ian Fordyce Writer: Jordan Lawrence One of Garetta's agents is a traitor. Three of his team have been betrayed and lost their lives and Dallas must find the fourth agent before he too meets his death. But where should Dallas begin? Whom can he trust?

16	The Man from Carataz Episode S2-2, first aired 05/16/1962 Director: Christopher Hodson Writer: Lewis Davidson Assigned to recover a highly-secret document from Don Enrique Broca, before his enemies reach him first and put the document up for sale to a foreign power, Dallas finds himself running a gauntlet of hostile guns.

17	The Burning Question Episode S2-3, first aired 05/23/1962 Director: Peter Moffatt Writer: Allan Prior When a series of mysterious fires devastate a dock, Dallas is assigned to find the person responsible. He uncovers a firebug who is as dangerous as the flames he ignites - and finds himself trapped in a blazing warehouse.

18	The Death of Stefano Episode S2-4, first aired 05/30/1962 Director: Allan Prior Writer: Peter Yeldham Dallas, searching for a vicious killer, finds himself the next target on the assassin's hit list. With himself as a target, how much time does he have left to track down his unknown enemy?

19	The Second Man Episode S2-5, first aired 06/06/1962 Director: Ian Fordyce Writer: Peter Bryan Marcia is the only witness to the gang who kidnapped her father intent on extorting uranium.

20	Maggie Episode S2-6, first aired 06/13/1962 Director: Peter Moffatt Writer: Cedric Wallis When the San Felix Government requests Garretta's help to forestall a student uprising, Dallas finds himself facing sudden death among the student fraternity. Sinister forces are at work and the agent must find the people behind them.

21	The Eagle of San Gualo Episode S2-7, first aired 06/20/1962 Director: Bill Turner Writer: Allan Prior In order to stop the friendly State of San Gualo falling into the hands of rebel forces, Dallas and Mike must unmask the identity of the traitor known only as 'The Eagle'.

22	Vengeance at La Vina Episode S2-8, first aired 06/27/1962 Director: Geoffrey Hughes Writers: Philip Broadley, Don Matthews It's the most dangerous assignment Dallas has undertaken: he must try to locate the whereabouts of a cattle-rustler - perhaps a killer - in the vast South American pampas and bring him to justice.

23	The Life Stealers Episode S2-9, first aired 07/04/1962 Director: Christopher Hodson Writer: Larry Forrester When a consignment of urgently needed drugs fails to reach Buenos Aires. Dallas, watched by an unknown enemy, must find the hijackers of what appears to be an impossible theft.

24	Dangerous Project Episode S2-10, first aired 07/11/1962 Director: Adrian Brown Writers: Thomas Clarke, Leonard Fincham Assigned to protect millionaire Harry Grant, Dallas learns that two unscrupulous people want him dead. There could be more. If so, when will they their move and what kind of reception will Dallas get?

25	Dance for Spies Episode S2-11, first aired 07/18/1962 Director: Raymond Menmuir Writer: Angus Cooper Suspicious that at least one member of a visiting ballet company may be working for the enemy, Dallas, playing a hunch, is given just 48 hours to prove his claim. After that the dance company will fly home - with secret information.

26	Escape to Danger Episode S2-12, first aired 07/25/1962 Director: Adrian Brown Writers: Patrick Cargill, Ian Shand The order is given: 'Get rid of Garetta' and Dallas.' By whom, no one knows, but the two men must find out, even if it means fighting a powerful and relentless enemy - one which has ordered them to be shot on sight.

MY COMMENTS

I think I would have really liked this show had I been around Britain at the time of its airing. I definitely remember the actor who played Peter Dallas from several television shows over the years and he always carried with him a good degree of gravitas. He would have made Dallas a force to be reckoned with while still making the man very human.

Alas, I know nothing more about the show and am very sorry for that.

One thing I do know is that the theme song for this show, Sucu Sucu, performed by the Laurie Johnson Orchestra, is a really enjoyable salsa-ish tune that I listened to several times once I found it online.

My grade is given only because the show did not last that long so ...

GRADE

My Grade: B

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