THE PERSUADERS

Brett Sinclair and Danny Wilde are the Persuaders.

That is a term they never (as far as I can tell) ever used or would have and it is a bit hard to understand who they are supposed to, by the title, persuade, or why.

What they do is get involved in cases that look outside the realm of normal police-work and which interests them. Or one into which they accidentally stumble and then have a great deal of fun getting out of.

Fun is the key with these two gentlemen. They both enjoy tremendously doing what they are doing and for the first time in apparently quite a while, each has something to put his mind to. Each was, in his own way, getting more than a tad bored with life in general.

Danny Wilde is an American born and raised in a New York slum. To get out of the neighborhood before a life of crime claimed him one way or another, Wilde enlisted in the U.S. Navy. That got him a chance to see the world and that in turn put him in position to take a gamble or three in the oil business. He would make, or lose, several fortunes over the next few years.

Sinclair is, officially, Lord Brett Rupert George Robert Andrew Sinclair. He is a product of the best upbringing British nobility will provide, including stints at Harrow and at Oxford before serving for a while as an officer in the British Army. After his service was completed and having no real need for a normal job, he began seeking thrills in a variety of activities, especially race car driving.

When we first meet them, they did not know each other and when they did meet, it was on opposite sides in a bar brawl. Destroying the establishment in their melee, they were both arrested. To their dismay, the local retired Judge saw in them a pair of gents who could help him right some wrongs. He offered them 90 days in jail or a chance to put their energies to good use. Reluctantly, they agreed.

Some of the adventures they will embark on are at the behest of the Judge. Some just pop up without warning. All give these two fellows a chance to do good, serve justice, and have fun.

I have not read any of the novelizations but I have read a couple of reviews that indicate the author did a darn good job capturing the fun that is the series. And, in my opinion, the series was a lot of fun to watch. I loved the freewheeling, smart-alec-y way that Tony Curtis invariably has. I loved Roger Moore as the Saint and say a lot of that fine character in his portrayal of Sinclair. Truth be told, I would have enjoyed anything either of these actors would have done.

I mentioned the Saint because in addition to the same actor being in both, there is a definite Saint feel to the dramas of the Persuaders. Exotic locales. Interesting and varied bad guys. Lots of gorgeous women, some needing saving and some quite able to take care of themselves.

This series is not really spy-fi but it is close enough, with international locales and intrigue and the occasional bumping up against spies that I just had to throw it in. That and I have seen this show included in other lists of 'spy dramas' so I fretted about not mentioning it, especially since I received email asking why I didn't include it.

Plus it had Tony Curtis and Roger Moore. 'Nuff said!