Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

I just found out that Audible has released 19 of The Saint books by Leslie Charteris in audio!

From the website:
Simon Templar, the cunning and debonair antihero of Leslie Charteris' beloved Saint series has seen various manifestations over the years: on radio, "The Robin Hood of Modern Crime" was voiced by Vincent Price; a pre-Bond Roger Moore brought Templar's suave demeanor and clever witticisms to television; and Val Kilmer's portrayal of the character on film provided an updated reimagining of The Saint as a high-tech thief.

Now, with the release of 19 of Charteris' original Saint stories in audio, including the first collection of Templar novellas in Enter the Saint and favorites like The Saint vs. Scotland Yard, listeners can get reacquainted with the exploits that made The Saint such an enduring character.

http://www.audible.com/mt/TheSaint/re...

I remember The Saint very well. My father loved the books and he and I used to watch reruns of the television series. I never knew about the radio version but I have no doubt Vincent Price would have done a wonderful job as the voice of Simon Templar.

There is a local radio station here that plays old (and new) radio shows nightly - more on weekends. Price is actually very good as The Saint, I really enjoy that rare appearance those make and just lie in bed in the dark listening to them on the radio!

I remember the Saint. Haven't read many of the books, though. There was a couple of movies when I was a kid in the late 40's/early 50's of the Saint. A French Actor, Leslie Chartouris(sp), I believe, played the role of Simon Templar.

Didn't like the role on TV played by Roger Moore. Thought he did a bad job of the role. Didn't like him as James Bond, either. Maybe I'm just biased against him.

I remember watching The Return of the Saint with Ian Ogilvy

I used to search used bookstores for the books. For a long time they were pretty hard to find in the US. Fun, if totally forgettable, stories.

The best thing about the TV show was the graphics used in the title sequence and the car (Volvo P1800). I found the show itself a little dull. Much more of an "Avengers" fan, myself.

I remember how much my mother enjoyed watching The Saint (Roger Moore) and The Return of the Saint (Ian Ogilvy). As a young girl, I was overjoyed when I was allowed to watch as well.

Looking back on some of the content of this series, as well as some of the James Bond movies, I am astounded by how women were portrayed - happily we have come a long way since then!

Roger Moore was definitely well-cast as the Saint. Terribly cast (later) as Bond. When playing Bond, Moore is still basically just playing Templar, that was his grossest flaw.

Radio: I've heard many of the Vincent Price radio episodes; they are often charming & witty; occasionally 'precocious'.

A typical 'Saint' episode shows some lechery on the part of Templar; a lot of 'darling' coy word-play; but mostly the radio Simon lilts through most of the plot seemingly trying not to do any work at all. He's a glib playboy; it's hard to see at all where any 'Robin Hood' element enters in.

You can also tell that the writers really would have liked more 'leeway' for sexual innuendo; but the reins were tight. Hampered thusly--some of the shows are awkward and mawkish to a degree which even Price can't save; other times he is specifically the problem. Price loves to ham it up, remember.

I've only read a few original 'Saint' stories (in anthologies) and found them fine --if a bit tepid-- but certainly better than the radio shows (which were written by radio-writers). Charteris' dab style of story adapts better to television; the b&w 60s Brit production has the visual panache the lightweight/thin plots need. Nifty cars, slim-fitting suits, and pearl necklaces.

Helen wrote: "Looking back on some of the content of this series, as well as some of the James Bond movies, I am astounded by how women were portrayed - happily we have come a long way since then!..."

No! Its supposed to be this way. There's a certain type of far-fetched female in these works which are there for a reason. They're not supposed to be taken seriously; this is escapist entertainment. Condemning them is off-base; because the format of these stories just wouldn't work without them. Besides, you can still find the occasional flighty/wifty glamor-gals in real life. Especially with the explosion of D-list celeb-lifestyles and trash-pop culture.

Overall: two thumbs up for Leslie Charteris. A fine franchise.

p.s. Exception: the 'Saint movie' was galling. I couldn't believe any producer had the chutzpah even dare present a he-man re-working of Simon Templar to modern audiences.

Thanks, Felix, for putting a different spin on the male - female interactions in these productions. I like to hear views other than mine. I liked your comment:

There's a certain type of far-fetched female in these works which are there for a reason. They're not supposed to be taken seriously; this is escapist entertainment."

They certainly do make the shows very "entertaining" and you are so right about the existence of these same glamor girls in real life. I do know one ;-)

I would love to start the Charteris series of books, but am a "purist" in that sense and noticed that on Amazon it seems like the first book is out of print and not available as an ebook; in fact, the prices people are asking for it, on Amazon is nuts. Library time, hopefully!

Helen wrote: "Thanks, Felix, for putting a different spin on the male - female interactions in these productions. I like to hear views other than mine. I liked your comment..."

Yay! You are awesome! I was expecting much more blow-back. You are my new favorite poster.

Donald wrote: "I would love to start the Charteris series of books, but am a "purist" in that sense..."

Way to go Donald. Insist! on! Authenticity!

(sly aside)..if we're finding ourselves discussing Simon Templar and Roger Moore..can a chat about the great Patrick McGoohan and his tv series ('The Prisoner', 'Secret Agent') be far behind? Or 1960s British pop culture in general?

"The Avengers"! Emma Peel!

That Audible page linked to in the first post neglects to include Alias the Saint, for Audible have released 20 Saint titles, with the remaining 29 titles set to appear at regular intervals over the next year or so.

Sadly Meet the Tiger--the first Saint book--wasn't included in the deal but I'm hoping that will change in time.

Many of the old American Saint radio shows are now available from Radio Spirits (www.radiospirits.com) and are well worth listening to as they are thoroughly enjoyable.

Feliks wrote: "(sly aside)..if we're finding ourselves discussing Simon Templar and Roger Moore..can a chat about the great Patrick McGoohan and his tv series ('The Prisoner', 'Secret Agent') be far behind? Or 19..."

I loved the Prisoner - but never say Secret Agent

Kirsten, Just watched Roger Moore in The Saint 'Counterfeit Countess' last night. Still enjoy his witty repostes, and all the 'international settings' shot at Elstree Studios in the UK ;)

Yes I remember The Saint, I loved the books when I was young.

there were even comic books, no idea why

I used to watch Roger Moore as the Saint, and later Ian Ogilvy, who did a better job, in my opinion.

I remember one bad translation where Simon Templar was described as 'unobtrusive' while his length was 2.10 meter...

Really enjoyable books.

I've read a good number of the Leslie Charteris books and always enjoyed them, although they do seem very dated and slow-paced for modern tastes. Still, Simon Templar is an original character and very interesting, although he does derive from a lot of the pulp fiction of his day.

Brian January
http://brianjanuary.blogspot.com/

Martyn V. (aka Baron Sang-Froid) wrote: "I used to watch Roger Moore as the Saint, and later Ian Ogilvy, who did a better job, in my opinion.

I remember one bad translation where Simon Templar was described as 'unobtrusive' while his len..."

Personally, I thought Roger Moore was really bad as the Saint. Also, I thought he did a bad job as James Bond in the movies. He's not my favorite actor as, to me, he's ruined 2 very good characters.

I've only read some short stories if the Saint by Leslie Charteris, but, I've liked what I did read. I'm wishing to look into more of the bookks, but, my local library doesn't have much.

Not familiar with Ian Ogilvy. When did he play the Saint on TV? Are videos of the series available?

Ian Ogilvy played the Saint on TV in the late 1970s. The show has been released on DVD in the UK but not so far in the USA. Odd really, for the Simon Dutton shows have been released in the US and there's no issue with licensing.

Maybe the new series currently being developed for ITV will prompt a release.

Ron wrote: "I've only read some short stories if the Saint by Leslie Charteris, but, I've liked what I did read. I'm wishing to look into more of the bookks, but, my local library doesn't have much."

I'm not a fan of Roger Moore, but I think his sardonic humour suited the Saint more than Bond. Ogilvy was a much more believable Simon Templar though. Shame you haven't seen that series, but perhaps it's available on Youtube.

I remember reading the Saint Meets the Tiger, on my own, in either junior high or high school and really enjoying it. I also remember a discussion over Pierce Brosnan (who was playing Remington Steele at the time) replacing Roger Moore as James Bond and stating that he (Brosnan) would be an excellent choice to play Simon Templer aka the Saint.

The Saint logo was actually the inspiration for the original cover of my first thriller. I always wanted his car though I wasn't old enough to drive.

Feliks wrote: "Roger Moore was definitely well-cast as the Saint. Terribly cast (later) as Bond. When playing Bond, Moore is still basically just playing Templar, that was his grossest flaw."

As an avid James Bond fan, I must agree, Roger was not one of the best James Bond characters.

I thought I was the only one here old enough to remember The Saint. :-)

No, I used to read the Saint, and then watched it many years ago, my brother and I were devoted fans, we are both quite old now :-)))

Judith wrote: "No, I used to read the Saint, and then watched it many years ago, my brother and I were devoted fans, we are both quite old now :-)))"

The Saint is a series I, too, loved to read as a teenager. Never much got into the TV series. Roger Moore is the absolute perfect casting for the role.

The Perry mason series is the other way round: loved the TV series, never got to read more than 1 book.

I never cared for the shows. When my parents watched it I would go to my room and read.

I did watch an episode of the Saint recently, it was very dated but fun, bit like the Avengers really. I might try one of the Saint books to see if they appear dated.

The Saint books are dated but more fun than the TV show. You need to read something like The Saint's Getaway, or The Brighter Buccaneer...

I used to like The Return of the Saint with Ian Ogilvy, never saw the one with Roger Moore.

Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "I used to like The Return of the Saint with Ian Ogilvy, never saw the one with Roger Moore."

That was good also.

I remember the Saint but not because I believe my family ever watched the show. Now the Avengers .... Big fan and I have the DVDs to prove it. I think its sort of like the recent White Collar -- I never watched it on TV, just on the computer via Netflix. Liked it too, even though I thought it was very unrealistic.

I remember the one with Roger Moore. I don't remember the one with Ian Ogilvy.

Anyone remember a show with Roger Moore & Tony Curtis?

Going back further in his career Sir Roger Moore was added to the cast of Maverick as the Maverick brothers cousin Beau Maverick from England. Do wish a publisher would release The Saint books in E book format.

I liked Sir Roger Moore better in The Saint and Maverick than as James Bond. He played Bond too flippantly...for tongue-in-cheek laughs. Then he couldn't successfully transition into the killer mentality like Sean Connery or Daniel Craig (the best!!) They get an icy quality to their eyes that totally convinces me.

I remember Sir Roger Moore in MAVERICK.
I also remember Jack Kelly who played James Garner's brother.

M.A.R. wrote: "I liked Sir Roger Moore better in The Saint and Maverick than as James Bond. He played Bond too flippantly...for tongue-in-cheek laughs. Then he couldn't successfully transition into the killer men..."

Very well put. That kind of flippant attitude is perfect for the Saint. Bond needs to be played in a darker mood.

My mother started me on the original Leslie Charteris series when I was learning to read, and I still reread them from time to time. They are one of the things that made me both love and write thrillers.