THE PROTECTORS (1972)

Full Name:	Harry Rule, Contessa Caroline di Contini, Paul Buchet
Series Name:	The Protectors
Nationality:	American, Italian, French
Organization:	The Protectors
Occupation	Agency

Creator:	Gerry Anderson, Lew Grade
Time Span:	1972 - 1974

ABOUT THE SERIES

Harry Rule, Contessa Caroline di Contini, Paul Buchet are members of The Protectors.

This organization is dedicated to helping people being victimized by powerful criminal elements. It is said to have agents in every major city in Europe. Who funds it and how it came to be created is never really disclosed.

One of the lead agents, and possibly the man in charge, is Harry Rule. A largely stoic man with a considerable amount of experience, he has seen it all and fought most of it and has the scars to show for it. In his late 40s or early 50s, he can still handle his own fights but prefers to use his brain first. Rule is independently wealthy and does this work out of conviction, not for a pay check.

Another person who is in no need of employment and who works routinely alongside Rule is the Contessa Caroline di Contini, the widow of an Italian aristocrat and the owner and operator of a private investigative agency in Italy. Her contacts come in handy all over the Continent and her ability to charm is as exceptional as her ability to fight if needed.

The last person who makes up the three member of the trio whose adventures have been recorded is Paul Buchet, a man who is an expert with electronics and all sorts of gadgetry. Also very well off, likely from his own inventions, Buchet enjoys the challenges he routinely encounters working with Rule and di Contini.

The cases that the three people find themselves facing run a wide gamut. Kidnapping, extortion, murder are common but so matters of international intrigue and they usually are mixed together, which makes it more challenging and more interesting to the Protectors.

BOOKS

Number of Books:	1
First Appearance:	1973
Last Appearance:	1973


1			The Protectors Written by Robert Miall Copyright: 1973 [plot unknown - might be a novelization]

NOVELLAS AND SHORT STORIES

Number of Stories:	4
First Appearance:	1973
Last Appearance:	1974


1			The Collector Written by Unknown Copyright: 1973 Published in TV Action Annual 1974 - 4 pages. Paul Buchet gloms onto evidence of the whereabouts of the Collector, a man that the Protectors have tried for several years to apprehend. Now it means breaking into his electrified fortification but they have determination on their side. Click here to read the story.

2			Wearer Beware Written by Unknown Copyright: 1974 Published in The Protectors Annual 1974 - 4 pages. Caroline works for a prominent clothes designer to protect his creations, ideas, and designs from being stolen by his competitors.

3			Blind Man's Bluff Written by Unknown Copyright: 1974 Published in The Protectors Annual 1974 - 4 pages. All three Protectors go up against a diamond thief who disguises himself as a blind man to get compassion from the owners of the diamonds that he's going to steal.

4			The Second Fiddle Written by Unknown Copyright: 1974 Published in The Protectors Annual 1974 - 5 pages. Paul Buchet and Harry Rule protect a group of musicians and a very expensive violin.

MOVIES

Number of Movies:	1
First Appearance:	1974
Last Appearance:	1974


1			In Venice as in Rome, Milan, and Turin, a Spiral of Crime aka A Venenzia come Roma-Milano-Torina, la spirale del crimine Director: John Hough Writers: John Kruse, Brian Clemens Actors: Nyree Dawn Porter as Caroline di Contini, Tony Anholt as Paul Buchet, Robert Vaughn as Harry Rule Released: 1974 Two or three episodes, likely Fighting Fund, Goodbye George, and Decoy, stitched into one and released as a movie.

TELEVISION


Number of Episodes:	52
First Appearance:	1972
Last Appearance:	1974
Network:	ITV

REGULAR CAST
Robert Vaughn	Harry Rule [ 1-2 ]
Nyree Dawn Porter	Caroline di Contini [ 1-2 ]
Tony Anholt	Paul Buchet [ 1-2 ]

According to the "Official Gerry Anderson website", the talented and experienced producer duo Andersons were only partially the creators of this series. Lew Grade, head of Associated Television (ATV), a part of British ITV, approached them with the broad stroke idea of putting together a show about a group of troubleshooters who go all over Europe fighting nasty criminals.

Anderson then took this skeleton and put meat and skin on it and gave it a face and a voice. The Protectors was born. Note: I have heard another version that indicated Gerry Anderson's role was a lot less than that, and that it was really Lew Grade who was the main creator. As a result, I credit both.

At the risk of repeating things said better elsewhere and likely getting it wrong, I commend anyone interested in knowing more to go to Wesley Britton's truly awesome site, specifically his page on this series.


1	2000 ft to Die Episode 1-1, first aired 09/27/1972 Director: John Hough Writer: Terence Feely One of several scientists working on a synthetic gold formula asks for help from the Protectors when several of his colleagues die under strange circumstances.

2	Brother Hood Episode 1-2, first aired 10/06/1972 Director: Don Chaffey Writer: John Goldsmith The Protectors are hired to break a man out of prison after he has been convicted for a crime he did not do. It is only after the escape they learn the elder brother who hired them has a very different reason.

3	See No Evil Episode 1-3, first aired 10/13/1972 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Donald Jonson An Italian senator, investigating organized crime, is kidnapped and posed in compromising photos. The only person who witnessed the snatching was an old blind man.

4	Disappearing Trick Episode 1-4, first aired 10/20/1972 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Brian Clemens The Protectors are asked by a man to help him disappear. Harry says no but Caroline agrees and takes off. Then Harry learns the man has psychiatric problems and may be homicidal.

5	Ceremony for the Dead Episode 1-5, first aired 10/27/1972 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Donald James The Protectors are asked to help courier a foreign leader to a hospital but then the ambulance carrying him is hijacked.

6	It Was All Over in Leipzig Episode 1-6, first aired 11/03/1972 Director: Don Chaffey Writer: Donald James The Protectors job is to find who is the person behind a plot to overthrow the government of an island nation. Joining them is an old boyfriend of Caroline, someone Harry does not trust.

7	The Quick Brown Fox Episode 1-7, first aired 11/10/1972 Director: Don Chaffey Writer: Donald James The West German government hire the Protectors to find who is funding the pensions of several former Nazis.

8	King Con Episode 1-8, first aired 11/17/1972 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Tony Barwick A friend of Carolina is conned out of a valuable antique by a smooth operator and she and Harry go after the con-man, running their own con to do so.

9	Thinkback Episode 1-9, first aired 11/24/1972 Director: Cyril Frankel Writer: Brian Clemens The Protectors are guarding a witness in a corruptions case. When Harry is injured in a car crash, he is asked by the police for the location of the witness but it is all a scam.

10	A Kind of Wild Justice Episode 1-10, first aired 12/01/1972 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Donald James Is the daughter of a man Harry helped convict and who then died in prison out to kill him or is there something even nastier in store?

11	Balance of Terror Episode 1-11, first aired 12/08/1972 Director: Don Chaffey Writer: John Goldsmith A Russian scientist has disappeared with a deadly virus. The Protectors are told this by the KGB agents who break into Harry's apartment looking for help.

12	Triple Cross Episode 1-12, first aired 12/15/1972 Director: John Hough Writer: Lewis Davidson Paul is snatched and strapped to a bomb which will end his life if Harry and Caroline do not steal the gems they have been hired to courier.

13	The Numbers Game Episode 1-13, first aired 12/29/1972 Director: Don Chaffey Writer: Ralph Smart Looking for a runaway, the Protectors learn she was involved in a strange business of writing down license plate numbers. It is all involved in a heroin smuggling case.

14	For the Rest of Your Natural? Episode 1-14, first aired 01/05/1973 Director: John Hough Writer: Tony Barwick Caroline is snatched by a man she helped put away and who now wants revenge, this involving an odd trial with him as the prosecutor and cardboard cut-outs as the jury.

15	The Bodyguards Episode 1-15, first aired 01/12/1973 Director: Don Chaffey Writer: Dennis Spooner The Protectors are asked to bodyguard a corpse in the hope that news of his death will bring out his associates to help find where stolen money is.

16	A Matter of Life and Death Episode 1-16, first aired 01/19/1973 Director: Don Chaffey Writer: Donald James While investigating a death in Africa, Harry is mistaken for a smuggler and asked to sneak a shipment of drugs into Malta.

17	The Big Hit Episode 1-17, first aired 01/26/1973 Director: Roy Ward Baker Writer: Donald James Two members of the Protectors have been killed and Paul almost dies. Someone is out to destroy all members of the group.

18	One and One Makes One Episode 1-18, first aired 02/02/1973 Director: Don Chaffey Writers: Jesse Lasky, Pat Lasky To rescue a Canadian agent with the American-Canadian defense plans in his head, the Protectors must head to the clinic in Paris where the Russians are interrogating him.

19	Talkdown Episode 1-19, first aired 02/09/1973 Director: Jeremy Summers Writers: Jesse Lasky, Pat Lasky To get revenge for the death of his brother, a man kidnaps Harry and takes off in a small plane, then parachutes out leaving Harry alone and Harry has not flight training.

20	Vocal Episode 1-20, first aired 02/16/1973 Director: Cyril Frankel Writer: Brian Clemens A mission of the Protectors goes bad and Paul is temporarily blinded. The gang that got away come back to fool Paul into revealing information.

21	...With a Little Help from My Friends Episode 1-21, first aired 02/23/1973 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Sylvia Anderson Harry is asked to be the bodyguard for a visiting Middle East president but then he learns his own son has been kidnapped and will die unless the president dies at Harry's hand.

22	Chase Episode 1-22, first aired 03/02/1973 Director: Harry Booth Writer: Brian Clemens It should have been a relaxing time for Harry and Caroline when he comes to visit to celebrate his birthday but as she runs an errand, a wounded man shows up looking for refuge as killers come calling.

23	Your Witness Episode 1-23, first aired 03/09/1973 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Donald James The Protectors are hired to guard a young woman who is a witness to a murder at a nightclub. Then she disappears and might be involved in a gold heist.

24	It Could Be Practically Anywhere on the Island Episode 1-24, first aired 03/16/1973 Director: Robert Vaughn Writer: Tony Barwick A wealthy American woman asks the Protectors to help find her pet poodle, dog-napped on Malta. The pooch is being used to smuggle microfilm.

25	The First Circle Episode 1-25, first aired 03/23/1973 Director: Don Chaffey Writer: Tony Barwick A Vietnam vet suffering from PTSD has broken into a unused base and killed the guards. His wife asks the Protectors to capture him without killing him but that will not be easy.

26	A Case for the Right Episode 1-26, first aired 03/30/1973 Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg Writers: Jesse Lasky, Pat Lasky Hired to courier a briefcase to an Italian prince at his villa, Harry and Caroline learn they are really decoys and their case contains a bomb.

27	Quin Episode 2-1, first aired 09/21/1973 Director: Don Leaver Writer: Trevor Preston Quin is a ruthless mercenary who has hired the brother of a woman who hires the Protectors to keep the sibling from going away.

28	Bagman Episode 2-2, first aired 09/28/1973 Director: John Hough Writer: Terry Nation Harry is hired to be the bagman in a ransom of the daughter of a wealthy widow. It should be straightforward but goes sideways quickly.

29	Fighting Fund Episode 2-3, first aired 10/05/1973 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: John Kruse In Venice, the theft of a valuable art collection is the means for a revolutionary group to earn money to buy the weaponry they need for their cause.

30	The Last Frontier Episode 2-4, first aired 10/12/1973 Director: Charles Crichton Writer: Jean Morris The Protectors are hired to help a female Russian scientist defect to the West so she can marry her boyfriend.

31	Baubles, Bangles and Beads Episode 2-5, first aired 10/19/1973 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Terry Nation After a jewelry heist in Denmark, a con man is accused by his colleagues of double-crossing them and now they have kidnapped his daughter to get even. The Protectors are asked to get her back.

32	Petard Episode 2-6, first aired 10/26/1973 Director: Cyril Frankel Writer: Tony Barwick The theft of valuable trade secrets from a cleaning parts company gets the Protectors brought in to find who did it. It is an inside job but finding the person is the trick.

33	Goodbye George Episode 2-7, first aired 11/02/1973 Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg Writer: Brian Clemens A wealthy man has hired Caroline to find his son who was last seen in Venice making several sizable withdrawals from his bank.

34	WAM (Part One) Episode 2-8, first aired 11/09/1973 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Tony Barwick Cut out of her father's will, a very angry young woman gets involved in a kidnapping plot to hold a group of skiers hostage atop a snow-packed mountain.

35	WAM (Part Two) Episode 2-9, first aired 11/16/1973 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Tony Barwick Having gotten the hostages free, it now falls to the Protectors to find where the kidnappers disappeared to and bring them to justice.

36	Implicado Episode 2-10, first aired 11/23/1973 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Tony Barwick A mother asks the Protectors to help her son who has been arrested for drug smuggling but he wants no assistance and Harry is convinced he is being threatened by the gang leader.

37	Dragon Chase Episode 2-11, first aired 11/30/1973 Director: Charles Crichton Writer: John Kruse The Protectors are hired to bodyguard a Russian author who has been smuggled, along with his tell-all book, from Russia to the U.K. A pro-communist group is out to destroy the manuscript.

38	Decoy Episode 2-12, first aired 12/07/1973 Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg Writer: Brian Clemens Harry is surprised to meet up with an old friend, one who died some time back. When the man turns up dead, again, in Venice, Harry and Caroline want to investigate.

39	Border Line Episode 2-13, first aired 12/14/1973 Director: Charles Crichton Writer: Anthony Terpiloff Hungarian actress Iloona Tabori asks Harry Rule to smuggle both herself and her father's body back into their country for a family funeral, a country that they have been exiled from for years, because of their past activities.

40	Zeke's Blues Episode 2-14, first aired 12/21/1973 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Shane Rimmer Harry is happy when he comes across an old friend playing jazz piano at a night club, not knowing the man was placed there to lure Harry into danger.

41	Lena Episode 2-15, first aired 12/28/1973 Director: Don Leaver Writer: Trevor Preston A friend of Caroline who is a journalist wants help when her looking into the death of a local politician has her own life in danger.

42	The Bridge Episode 2-16, first aired 01/04/1974 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Tony Barwick The son of a wealthy man has joined a Spanish revolutionary group and plans to blow up a bridge while an American diplomat is crossing. Harry goes undercover as an explosives expert.

43	Sugar and Spice Episode 2-17, first aired 01/11/1974 Director: Charles Crichton Writer: David Butler To protect his teen-aged daughter when kidnapping threats are received, an English tycoon asks for Protectors help. This will involve Harry posing as a tutor, something he is not happy with.

44	Burning Bush Episode 2-18, first aired 01/18/1974 Director: Don Leaver Writer: Trevor Preston A wealthy Canadian asks the Protectors to find his missing daughter who disappeared in London. She has joined a cult with occult leanings.

45	The Tiger and the Goat Episode 2-19, first aired 01/25/1974 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Trevor Preston Caroline is asked by an old boyfriend, in British Intelligence, to act as a "goat" to lure in a "tiger" but she realizes things are not what they seem.

46	Route 27 Episode 2-20, first aired 02/01/1974 Director: Don Leaver Writer: Terry Nation Tracking drug smugglers, Harry figures out where they are bringing in the narcotics but that suddenly makes him too dangerous to let live.

47	Trial Episode 2-21, first aired 02/08/1974 Director: Charles Crichton Writer: Robert Banks Stewart A woman asks the Protectors to help when her son goes on trial for something he did not do and her husband, a mental patient, disappears and might be going after the judge in the case.

48	Shadbolt Episode 2-22, first aired 02/15/1974 Director: John Hough Writer: Tony Barwick On a train from Edinburgh, Harry strikes up a conversation with an eloquent man named Shadbolt, not knowing that man is an assassin hired to kill Harry.

49	A Pocketful of Posies Episode 2-23, first aired 02/22/1974 Director: Cyril Frankel Writer: Terry Nation A famous singer, Carrie Blaine, is about to make a comeback but now worries about her sanity as odd things happen around her, including a clock running backwards. The Protectors are brought in to help.

50	Wheels Episode 2-24, first aired 03/01/1974 Director: David Tomblin Writer: Tony Barwick A thief has stolen account information from a Swiss bank and the Protectors are brought in to catch him before they can be revealed.

51	The Insider Episode 2-25, first aired 03/08/1974 Director: Don Leaver Writer: Trevor Preston All copies of a just completed movie have been stolen and held for ransom. The sum is paid but when the thief disappears without a trace, the Protectors are asked to help.

52	Blockbuster Episode 2-26, first aired 03/15/1974 Director: Jeremy Summers Writer: Shane Rimmer The theft of several shipments of platinum see the Protectors called in to help since it is the trucks themselves that are vanishing.

COMIC BOOKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS, AND MANGA

Number of Stories:	12
First Appearance:	1973
Last Appearance:	1974

Gerry and Sylvia Anderson were a married team of television producers who got their start doing "Supermarionation" shows. This word, created by Gerry Anderson, was according to Wikipedia, "(a portmanteau of "super", "marionette" and "animation") is a style of puppetry devised in the 1960s". It involved having marionettes controlled by very fine filaments moving about a set, their voices dubbed into mouth movements.

The pair were very successful in the early 60s with hit shows for children like Thunderbirds, Stingray, and Fireball XL5.

As another vehicle to tell their stories and promote their work, they created with City Magazines a weekly comic book anthology called TV Century 21 (Century 21 Productions was the name of the Anderson's company).

In addition to serialized episodes of the shows mentioned above, this magazine produced stories for popular television shows. Since The Protectors was a Century 21 program, it made sense to include stories about this group as well once the show started.


1			Boxful of Trouble Published by Polystyle Publications Copyright: 01/20/1973 Published in TV Action #101 - 7 pages in black and white - The brother of the deceased head of the Black Hand in Italy has sought the help of the Protectors because someone is out to kill him for some important documents he inherited. Click here to read the story.

2			Boy Wonder Published by Polystyle Publications Copyright: 02/10/1973 Published in TV Action #104-#108 - 10 pages in color - Hired to protect a young rising rock star, the Protectors quickly come to realize they would prefer he be snatched than have to deal with him much longer. Click here to read the story.

3			Busman's Holiday Published by Polystyle Publications Copyright: 03/17/1973 Published in TV Action #109 - 7 pages in black and white - A powerful, wealthy man fakes a heart attack on Harry Rule to make him disappear in order to be able to take on a one-man job to come to the aid of the man's granddaughter. Click here to read the story.

4			A Piece Of The Moon Published by Polystyle Publications Copyright: 04/14/1973 Published in TV Action #113-#116 - 8 pages in color - A criminal organization wants to steal a moonrock, said to be harder than diamond and extremely valuable. The Protectors have been hired to keep it safe. One side will have to lose. Click here to read the story.

5			The Dodo Is Dead Published by Polystyle Publications Copyright: 05/12/1973 Published in TV Action #117 - 7 pages in black and white - The Protectors are used to guarding people from all walks of life but guarding a rare bird in the wild is something new for them. Not new is going up against a powerful man who always gets what he wants and he wants the bird for his stuffed collection. Click here to read the story.

6			The Combat Man Published by Polystyle Publications Copyright: 06/02/1973 Published in TV Action #120-#124 - 10 pages in black and white - The Protectors have a job just right for a man they put in prison and who was just getting out. He declined, having a better offer already in place - killing the Protectors! Click here to read the story.

7			The Machine Maker Published by Polystyle Publications Copyright: 07/14/1973 Published in TV Action #126 - 7 pages in black and white - A flying toy like designed by Leonardo di Vinci 400 years before flies into the villa Caroline is renting while Harry Rule was visiting. It contained a note saying that the inventor was being held hostage in a nearby estate. Checking into it, they meet di Vinci, or a man who acts like he is. Click here to read the story.

8			The Hunter Published by Polystyle Publications Copyright: 12/1973 Published in TV Action Holiday Special 1973 - 7 pages in black and white - After smuggling a scientist's wife out from behind the Iron Curtain, the Protectors are nearby when others from that area come calling to kill the scientist for having left in the first place. Click here to read the story.

9			Win At Any Price Published by Polystyle Publications Contributors: Unknown (writer and artist) Copyright: 1974 Published in The Protectors Annual 1974 - 8 pages. All three Protectors go against Baron Von Starken, a power-mad owner of a racing car who will do anything or hurt anyone, including the driver, who gets in the way of his car winning.

10			The House On The Hill Published by Polystyle Publications Contributors: Unknown (writer and artist) Copyright: 1974 Published in The Protectors Annual 1974 - 8 pages. Harry and Caroline investigate trouble on a building site in Cornwall where an old friend of Harry's is having a new house built on wasteland. Is the area haunted by ghosts or by something more sinister?

11			The Forest Rebels Published by Polystyle Publications Contributors: Unknown (writer and artist) Copyright: 1974 Published in The Protectors Annual 1974 - 7 pages. All three Protectors become bodyguards for African president General Cadim.

12			Missing Container Published by Polystyle Publications Contributors: Unknown (writer and artist) Copyright: 1974 Published in The Protectors Annual 1974 - 8 pages. A driver feels tired and parks to get some sleep. When he awakens later, the container on the back of his lorry has vanished into thin air. The Protectors are asked in and Paul and Harry investigate the disappearance.

DIGESTS AND MAGAZINES

Number of Digests:	1
First Appearance:	1974
Last Appearance:	1974


1			The Protectors Annual Written by Unknown Copyright: 1974 A 60-page hardback containing articles about the main stars, stills from various episodes, and several original stories which are: Graphic adventures: Win At Any Price The House On The Hill The Forest Rebels Missing Container Text adventures: Wearer Beware Blind Man's Bluff The Second Fiddle

ODDS & ENDS

Number of Items:	1
First Appearance:	1972
Last Appearance:	1972


1			Avenues and Alleyways Item Type: Hit Song Made by: MCA Records Copyright: 1972 Tony Christie released a vinyl 45-rpm record with the theme song from the television program. It came out in October, 1972 and was in the UK top 40 for 4 weeks in February 1973, reaching #37. It was written and produced by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander. It enjoyed a revival in 2005.

MY COMMENTS

The television show was mildly fun to watch. I say mildly even though the two main stars were first-rate actors and they did darn good with what they had. I felt it was lukewarm to me because I never quite got a feel for what these folks did. I mean, of course they helped people but the concept of the group was epherial to me. Plus even my short attention span could have handled 60 minutes (well, 40+ with commercials) to build up the story a bit more.

The graphic adventures are okay but again nothing noteworthy. That makes sense because of what they had to work with. Considering that, they were not bad.

The one book was a novelization of a couple of episodes and did not add anything in my opinion.

GRADE

My Grade: B-

Your Average Grade: B-

YOUR OPINIONS

	B-	2020-11-29	I''ve recently managed to catch a lot of repeat epidodes on ITV4 and rather enjoyed them. The set-ups are simple, the acting bearable. They look exotic and often the filming is done on location, still unusual for the 70s. The biggest downside is the 25min running time. The show would have benefited from being 50mins. I understand it was the last prime time Saturday night show made by ITC to be such a length. I am tracking down the book for a quick read. Sorry about the duplicate posts.

Tell us what you think of the series. Give your grade and comments.

Your Grade:
Your Comments:

To give your opinion, you must be logged in.

Disclaimer
SpyGuysAndGals is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and links with the Buy from Amazon button are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.