THE UNMUTUAL PRISONER ARTICLE ARCHIVE
FROM THE US TO THE ESKIMOS
by Peter Glass
I am almost 65 years old. I live/work in Florida and am a caregiver for my mother,
who is 90 with profound dementia. I am proud to say that I watched The Prisoner
when it was first shown in America. I was a kid in NY and, because this was
a time before video recording, could only catch each episode when it aired and
would have no recourse if I missed any of them! I was not alone with this problem...
HA!
Eventually I bought the VHS set and, ultimately, the DVD set! Been a lifelong
McGoohan fan via Secret Agent, Ice Station Zebra and his acting/directing stints
on the Colombo episodes (and other odd filmatic performances). I had always
hoped he could resurrect The Prisoner, but, alas, that was not to be. It was
such a product of its time, so I really can't complain. Was not totally happy
with the remake with Jim Caviezel, but tried to appreciate the valiant effort.
When I was
teaching in the small Eskimo village of Marshall (1978-80), we had only one
TV channel. For some fortuitous reason, they aired the
series! I understood that part of the shows concept was about microcosms of
the world and society based in a village, much like where we were. I was a member
of a British Prisoner fan club and they provided me with lesson plans. I would
prep the high school kids on what the episode would be like (the accents and
quick dialog was a little rough for them). The following week we would have
discussions. It was a neat educational experience for me and those students.
I wish I still had those lesson plans! I also recall making them watch Seven
Samurai when it was aired. They did not like reading the subtitles, but ultimately
loved the film. One more memory for you...the station usually aired SNL and
one magical Saturday night, much to my insane happiness, the Rutles movie was
shown instead! A few weeks later, in my special ed. room, I was playing the
radio while the kids were doing something and a Beatles song came on. One of
the kids said to me, "Hey, Mr. Glass, they're playing The Rutles!"
I told that story to Neil Innes when I met him and he was enthralled by it!