Man in a Suitcase: Set 1

Essentially a replacement for the classic Danger Man series starring Patrick McGoohan (known as Secret Agent in the U.S.), Man in a Suitcase presents a similar scenario, with Richard Bradford as “Mac” McGill, an American spy who remains in London as a freelance detective after being booted out of the intelligence service because he was falsely believed to have facilitated a scientist's defection to Russia. In the Charles Crichton–directed opener, “Brainwash,” a band of political exiles pressures McGill to lie for them, and when he refuses to play along, he's tortured using the sort of mind-control methods featured in The Manchurian Candidate. A silver-haired chain-smoker, McGill escapes using his fists and smarts (although he carries a gun, he prefers a well-placed karate chop). Other episodes find the P.I. keeping an eye on an informer (George Sewell) in “The Sitting Pigeon,” searching for the boss (John Barrie) who can clear his name in “Man from the Dead,” and looking out for an old college buddy (Donald Sutherland) in “Day of Execution.” Created by Richard Harris and Dennis Spooner (The Avengers), Man in a Suitcase, which ran for a single 30-episode season in 1967–68, combines visceral action and subtle humor that makes for an enjoyable addition to the small-screen spy genre. Compiling the first 15 episodes, DVD extras include photo galleries. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)