The Avengers International Fan Forum

denis rigg · A Touch of Brimstone Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 2591

Patricia Kirshner

Dancer and choreographer, was a dance director for Avengers episode Warlock (1963).

Just discovered that she died on July 22, 2009.

http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Patricia-Jeanette-Stander-86477981

Married on screenwriter Arthur Stander in February 1963 (Art died on 20 July 1963) and she started using the name Patricia Stander.

Information sent on IMDb:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0456960/

A look at Patricia (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from August 13, 1977):

Patricia has, among other things, appeared in films and hosted a controversial talk show in Rhodesia, she takes some ribbing when she adds another credit to the list.

Born in Salisbury, Rhodesia, she remembers her childhood. "I started ballet lessons when I was 10," she explains, "because, like so many children, I had flat feet, I was shy and my mother thought it might give me a modicum of grace". Her first career choice came at 15, when the recent graduate of the Royal Ballet School and Royal College of Music, in London, had to decide whether to become a concert pianist, like her grandmother, or a ballet dancer. Her fate was resolved by the smallness of her hands. But then she started feeling trapped, restless. "I loved dancing, but I felt if I was to be any kind of an artist at all, I'd have to explore the world," she says. Then pushing 17, she was referred to a movie producer in London who was casting a picture with Jayne Mansfield and Kenneth Moore. "I knew there was no way I'd be able to play in the same movie as Jayne Mansfield. I mean, there was this knock-out buxom blonde, and then there was me," recalls Mrs. Stander, who still retains her English accent. Out of the meeting came a screen test. "I'm told it was the most horrible screen test, next to Audrey Hepburn's, which I hear was the worst," she adds. And out of the screen test came a contract with MGM. That was how she appeared in film with Burton and "Alive and Kicking" with Richard Harris. But after three or four pictures, the wanderlust set in again. "I must be the only woman who didn't want to be a movie star," she says. "I'd get up at 4 a.m. to get to the set for makeup. I'd do my scene in two takes, then the next guy would require 36 takes. I said this is garbage!".

In the mid 60s, she was choreographing programs for an independent TV network in northern England. Mrs. Stander remembers auditioning vocal groups. "When this one group played, the most horrendous sound came out. But I had a funny feeling about these guys and said I think we should sign them. We didn't. They were the Silver Beatles, the original group without Ringo". The talk show in Rhodesia ran from the late 60s to early 70s. (Mrs. Stander has no patience with chronology, let alone exact years.) Following a different format from shows today, the hostess would invite a variety of guests to discuss specified, at times taboo, topics. Prior to Pittsburgh, her last stop was Los Angeles where she still has her own dance studio and where her late husband, Art, was a television comedy writer. Here at the ballet, her duties include teaching classes, rehearsing dances, coordinating various production aspects and helping to select future seasons. "There's no such thing as a desk job at the ballet," she says. "I only have a desk so I can put my feet on it".
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Denis

Frankymole · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 6:59 am Post subject:

I heard or read somewhere that the choreographer for Warlock appeared in the episode too?
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Last watched: "The Gilded Cage"

denis rigg · A Touch of Brimstone Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 2591

This may very well be reality, Franky. I think that if we knew the faces of everyone who worked behind the scenes of The Avengers/TNA, then we would identify more extras in the frames of the series. Wink

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Denis

mousemeat · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:20 am Post subject:

dissolute · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 4:17 pm Post subject:

dissolute · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 5:38 pm Post subject:

denis rigg · A Touch of Brimstone Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 2591

The first update this year, the second problematic coronavirus year.

Lance George

Actor, appeared uncredited in Avengers episode The Sell-Out (1962).

I tried for a long time to figure out the information about him and finally today I found the clues, so we have the following:

Full Name: Lance George Fletcher.

Interestingly why he didn't use the name Lance Fletcher for example, it sounds good.

Born: May 18, 1889 in England, UK.

It turns out he was 73 years old when he appeared in the aforementioned episode of The Avengers.

Died: 1966 in London, England, UK.

Married to actress Norah Chaplin in 1913.

Information is already partly posted on IMDb:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0313501/

P.S./ He was also one of these actors who played Santa Claus for over half his life.
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Denis

denis rigg · A Touch of Brimstone Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 2591

Jayne Sofiano

Actress, played Petra in Avengers episode Split! (1968).

Born in Jerusalem, Israel (not London, England, UK).

Information is already sent on IMDb:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0812167/

Moreover, I have suspicions that she was born earlier than 1936. I found that prior to her acting career, she was as a model under the name Jayne Arnsby (until 1963), appeared on TV commercials and BBC TV in Living Today on 5 February 1963. She also worked in Foreign Office in Whitehall. Her father is Greek.
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Denis

denis rigg · A Touch of Brimstone Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 2591

Andrea Lawrence

Model and actress, appeared uncredited as a tourist in Avengers episode The Removal Men (1962).

Official information is:
Born on June 20, 1941 in London, England, UK.

Actually:

Birthname: Maureen Smith.

Born on June 20, 1936 in London, England, UK.

Married to Heinz Dorler in 1993.

Information is already sent on IMDb:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0492619/

She started her career as a model under the name Andria Loran. Then she changed her name several times, she was Ann Stuart, Andrea Loren.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6082644/

and now, Andria Lawrence.

Additional information: https://companycheck.co.uk/director/909570423/ANDRIA-LAWRENCE-DORLER/companies
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Denis

denis rigg · A Touch of Brimstone Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 2591

Janine Gray

Actress, played Ola Monsey-Chamberlain in Avengers episode Don't Look Behind You (1963).

Born: January 14, 1940 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India (not 1942).

She started filming in 1955, while in drama school. First three films were It's Great to be Young, My Teenage Daughter, and The Extra Day.

Thanet Times (28 April 1964):
Janine's parents then felt that she was paying too much attention to the acting side of her life and packed her off to a convent at Weybridge where she stayed until she was nearly 18.

The Stage newspaper (November 14, 1957) confirms fact that she left convent school by summer 1957.

When she started career as Janine Glass, her age was correct. And that was reduced by two years when she became Janine Gray.

Information will soon posted on IMDb:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0336704/
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Denis

denis rigg · A Touch of Brimstone Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 2591

Nicola Pagett

Actress, played Adriana in Avengers episode Have Guns - Will Haggle (1968).

Curious, I discovered that Nicola's full name is Nicola Mary Pagett Scott (not Nicola Mary Scott). So, "Pagett" is not an invented stage surname.

Information will soon posted on IMDb:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0656452/

Also, I have already updated Wikipedia for Niсola and Janine Gray.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicola_Pagett
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janine_Gray
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Denis

denis rigg · A Touch of Brimstone Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 2591

Annette Lynton

Actress. Wife of Nick Mason, the Pink Floyd drummer and co-founder.

Played Pam in TNA episode "Angels of Death" (1977).

Birthname: Annette Joanne Neustrup Potts.

Born: December 1953 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, UK (new information is birthplace).

She started her career as Annette Potts.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0693416/

Information will soon posted on IMDb:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0528886/
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Denis

mousemeat · Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 6:17 am Post subject:

denis rigg · A Touch of Brimstone Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 2591

Right now I am working on the topic "Long-lived performers in The Avengers" in connection with the anniversary of actor Geoffrey Chater and so far have found the following for IMDb:

1. Vanda Hudson

Actress.

Played Lola Carrington in Avengers episode "Double Danger" (1961).

Birthname: Wanda Maria Zaleska.

Born: 7 October 1933, Slaskie, Poland (not 1937 in Villefrance, France).

Information will soon posted on IMDb:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0399986/

2. Barbara Yu Ling

Actress.

Played Mrs. Kwan in Avengers episode "The Golden Fleece" (1963).

Born: November 4, 1933, Singapore (not 1938).

Information will soon posted on IMDb:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0512687/
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Denis

Frankymole · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 8:20 am Post subject:

Was Barbara Yu Ling long-lived? Sadly she passed away in 1997.
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Last watched: "The Gilded Cage"

denis rigg · A Touch of Brimstone Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 2591

While I research the topic, I check the information for all the performers at IMDb that I find suspicious. Wink

For a moment, I'm stuck with Malcolm Russell - he might be a long-liver. It is very possible that he was born in South Africa sometime in 1900 and died sometime in 2012.
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Denis

dissolute · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 7:05 pm Post subject:

I agree with Franky, 64 is not long-lived!

On the other hand, I suspect Malcolm Russell didn't live until 112! Both are very common names so the chance of having two people with the same name confused is high.
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Mrs Peel, you're needed!
http://www.dissolute.com.au/the-avengers-tv-series/
Every episode from 1961 to 1977 plus more trivia than you can shake a brolly at.

dissolute · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 7:06 pm Post subject: