Alexandra Bastedo in The Champions - Discussion

[ralphvoss]

Originally Posted by godlek99

Alexandra seems to have been added purely as glamour as most episodes sideline her completely (which like Annette Andre in Randall and Hopkirk is rather demeaning) Was it really that expensive to make ? lots of it was shot around the ITC studios and i've seen the same manor house set used in several episodes dressed differently. It doesn't help that ITV4 show The Saint and Randall and Hopkirk as well, as they all use the same sets.

It was very expensive for it's time. Shot on 35mm film in colour at Elstree Studios (Other ITC series used Shepperton, Pinewood and Borehamwood Film Studios) and on location. Essentially television with feature film standards but shot more quickly. The BBC couldn't have afforded to do it at the time as an in-house show.

The Saint, Gideon's Way, The Baron, The Champions, Department S, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), Jason King & The Adventurer (all with Monty Berman as producer.....except for the later episodes of The Saint episodes [the colour ones]) were all shot at Elstree, so yes there was set and crew sharing. Some of Alexandra's costumes would later be worn by Annette Andre on Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased). Department S and Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) (Alexandra guested on both) were given the go-ahead to be produced in parallel production deliberately to save on costs (as The Saint & Gideon's Way had been. So you sometimes see the same locations/redressed sets/backlot (the backlot town pops up a lot!...as does that sliding red door..)/cars popping up on different shows (shared between Department S and Randall and Hopkirk...Randall's car is in 5 episodes of Department S)....and lots of cars (2!....but clips reused) flying off cliffs. As the shows were completed on a two week turnaround, locations would have to be within easy reach of the studios.

Actually, Jean Hopkirk wasn't in the original outlines for Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased). The Champions was given the go-ahead partly because it was the first ITC show to have three leads, making it different. Department S retained the three leads (two male, one female) plus boss format. But yes, Sharron doesn't get to throw around as many men as Craig and Richard do. Which seems terribly unfair. Especially as she can lift cars too. The three leads do discuss this together on the Network DVDs.

[trekkertos]

Thanks for reminding me of that Jag flew off the cliff in every itv series ithink