The Avengers TV intro (1962)

[LiquorWreckedEmGood]

two of my favorite tv themes, both for the same show. johnny dankworth and laurie johnson. geniuses.

[asorls1]

I think 3 Ian Hendry shows exist. I heard they found another a few years ago.

[statelybird3]

I actually like this theme, even though the better known one is much better!

[robertgift]

What horrible theme music.

Glad they redid ito what is the bestheme music ever.

[Poopingbotham]

I'm not old enough to remember Honour Blackman starring in this show, in fact I still haven't seen her in an Avenger's episode. I'm very surprised that it had a different theme tune back then though

[kaferere]

That was amazing, that theme song has been locked in my head for 48 years but I had no memory of the T.V. programme it came from. Thanks for putting my mind at rest!

[retrovide0]

according to wikipedia..

All original videotapes from series one, two and three, which were shot on video, were wiped.

.. or maybe not.I bet they show up youtube or somewhere

[Wickedblackjuggalo19]

Nice anyone know where i can find d/l this theme. Thanx & i really miss these type of shows.

[markojameow]

I like this opening title - and there isn't one Avengers opener that I don't like.

Memorable show, memorable cast. Easily the greatest British series ever - as far as I'm concerned.

[Scentless]

I love the opening animation-it's so kinetic.

[lecquio]

Great Theme

[byrd56]

Sir John Dankworth, the jazz musician who composed the original "Avengers" theme, died today, age 82. He should be as well-remembered for this theme song as for his overall talents.

[lecquio]

what a pity!!!

Thanks for the info

[PauleQueenie]

good day

[PCpete101]

I just love these old intros :D!

[minaphilie]

Diana reste tout de même la meilleure et l'unique !

[Libraloco73]

This looks like something Saul Bass would design.

[Mpvide65]

I think this was the 1963 opening. The 1962 version showed images of Steed and Cathy.

[osefctpc]

You're Right

 Indeed it's 1963/64 intro

62' only pictures (6 differents with Honor Blackman and Julie Stevens)

[2nicks]

What horrible music...I m spoiled with the Emma Peel colour intro music...that is the best!!!!

[caraqueno]

2nicks:

This music is more Bond-like, more '60's-sounding, darker, and more like the era of the early 1960's than the later, more familiar theme by Laurie Johnson. While the color episodes were better produced, the grainy black and white of the earlier episodes gave "The Avengers" a more serious, noirish bent that I liked better than the later fantasies of the Diana Rigg episodes. This is darker stuff (in every way) and I like it.

[violatenor26]

Although I love Diana Rigg/Emma Peel, these episodes are so good! They have very interesting plots, amazing music and styles, and I love the interaction between Cathy Gale and Steed...it isn't as innocent as his interactions with Emma.

[brandiiloveyou]

i think the first ones with honor are the best and honor is delicious ^^

[jhzenor61481]

I remember watching this on PLEX when this showed this show as reruns.

[charlieboy7t5]

Honor Blackman yes please (wolf whistles)

[soapbox5]

These opening credits aired at 10:05 pm on Saturday nights in the ATV London area from 1962-1964.The top saturday night t.v. show!,beating the BBC's TWTWTW.

[orangy10114]

i like Dianna Rigg the best, but Honor Blackman was good too. Didn't care for the tara king character

[MachoWorker]

The "before Emma peel" episodes have never been aired in Germany - but I love the episodes with Emma Peel, but not with Tara King

[greasygloves]

ABC = Associated British Corporation.

[odious34]

ABC?  american broadcasting corp or australian broadcasting corp?

[Dijonnais8]

Neither, it was one of the British ITV companies.

[odious34]

Didn't know the British had anything else but BBC.

[Plasvi]

Honor Blackman, I love her hair. Oh, what a sweetpie!

[dramaticguy]

Honor Blackman was fab as the ice cool judo fighter Cathy Gale,she was the orginal Avengers lady and unlike the ladies who followed her,gave Steed a telling off when she felt he needed it.

[violatenor26]

yes, she was the best!

[statelybird3]

@dramaticguy

Yeah, plus she was actually trained in judo with a black belt--so she could really do all her own fighting--I read in an article about her that her father actually encouraged her and her siblings to learn how to defend themselves---pretty cool!

[AVDPA]

I recall the Dankworth theme fondly. This is fab!

[AtlantasChronicles]

In the first season broadcast in 1961, Steed began as secondary character, the protagonist being Keel; as the season progressed, Steed began to be established as co-star, carrying the final episode solo. Only 2 episodes exist from the 1st season as early films were often recorded over. This is the 1962 opening.....

[fabster3333]

Thanks for the correction. I will fix it ASAP. :)

[alanr4447a]

The SECOND opening of the 1963-64 season, using the the earlier theme by Johnny Dankworth, who is sometimes erroneously credited for the later Diana Rigg/Linda Thorson theme music (actually by Mr. Laurie Johnson). The 1963-64 season actually had some pretty amazing episodes!

[blogward]

God that ABC ident takes me back. Bong-de-bong!

[caroljbowie]

EXCELENT MATERIAL!!!

[notaewing]

This is the opening for the 1963-1964 season.

[BobLarrabee]

This isn't the 1961 theme with MacNee and Ian Hendry. Honor Blackmon wasn't on the show until Fall 1962.

[fabster3333]

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.

[wildbillll]

Ah, Honor Blackman, Pussy Galore in Goldfinger.

[simonpub]

I had never seen that one. Thanx.

[fabster3333]

This series was the base for the 1998 movie with Ralph Fiennes, Uma Thurman and Sean Connery. ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt01­18661/http://www.imdb.com/titl­e/tt0118661/ )

[simonpub]

Wasn't Honor Blackman playing Catherine Gale's character?

[ministan]

Doesn't hold a candle to themes to come!