The MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Image Library
Another group of ACE singles, aimed at jumping on the
bandwagon for a popular television series. Although I have fond memories
of Illya Kuryakin and Napoleon Solo in the TV show, these are another
subgenre on which I have not spent a great deal of time. My uncle thought
they were interesting, which is why I have most of them.
The television shows of the 1960's often took the Cold War
and the intelligence wars either seriously (e.g., Danger Man and Secret
Agent Man) or comically (e.g., Maxwell Smart). The Man
From U.N.C.L.E. was more 'tongue in cheek" in the story lines and
the dialogue. The ACE The Man From U.N.C.L.E. stories represent
the spin-off concept of a companion book series and may be one of the
first moderately successful ways of spanning the gap between the boob tube
to the written page.
The ACE series code for these volumes is the G-letter
series from 1965 to 1969 and the five digit numerical series that started
in 1969. I will give both the letter-number series as well as the volume
number (for example: G-564 (MFU-002) indicates the second The Man From
U.N.C.L.E. adventure). There are 23 paperback volumes from ACE.
There are also 26 digests that were published by Leo Margolis (which I do
not have - sorry).
A very good reference (well-indexed
and written) on TV Tie-In volumes such as The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
is by Kurt Peers (1999, 2nd edition) TV Tie-Ins: A bibliography of
American TV tie-in paperbacks. TV Books, NY, 364 pp.
I have just been informed that the entire television series
for The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is now available
from Time-Life. For the
completist, as well as those who want to see (and remember) the TV series.
Other good locations for The Man
From U.N.C.L.E information is Jim Wilson's site,
as well as the Yahoo! list "Channel_D."
Have fun!
MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
G-LETTER NUMBER SERIES STORIES
G-553 MICHAEL
AVALLONE The Man From U.N.C.L.E. The Thousand Coffins Affair (1965:
PBO)
The ACE Book volumes of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. series are
original stories and although the characters and settings correspond
with the television series, are not novelizations of the TV series.
However, note that ACE Books used the popularity of the TV series and
utilized photo cover images derived from the television series.
MICHAEL AVALLONE was prolific in the mystery genre and wrote a
number of ACE mystery double and single volumes.
G-560 (MFU-002) HARRY
WHITTINGTON The Doomsday Affair (1965; PBO)
HARRY WHITTINGTON was a popular ACE mystery double
and single author.
MFU-002 (back cover)
G-564 (MFU-003) JOHN ORAM (aka
JOHN ORAM THOMAS) The Copenhagen Affair (1965; PBO)
MFU-003 (back cover)
JOHN ORAM THOMAS (d. 1980), in addition to the ACE MFU volumes,
also ghost-wrote several biographies of WWII heroes, some books on
traditional Welsh remedies, a book on the Danish Resistance (called
"The Giant Killers"), and was a print journalist with the South
Wales Argus, the Empire News, and many other UK based papers before
retiring to Australia. Information supplied by a relative (Thank you
Morgan).
G-571 (MFU-004) DAVID McDANIEL
The Dagger Affair (1965; PBO)
MFU-004 (back cover)
DAVID McDANIEL wrote several of the original stories for The Man
From U.N.C.L.E. He also wrote the second of "The Prisoner" spin-off
novels (ACE 67901) as well as one science fiction title (ACE G-667;
The Arsenal Out of Time).
This story was also published in a
French edition: Des
Agents Tres Speciaux - l' affair de la dague. These
'Tele mystere' volumes are listed as "adventure de Napoleon Solo."
G-581 (MFU-005) JOHN T.
PHILLIFENT The Mad Scientist Affair (1966; PBO)
JOH T. PHILLIFENT wrote SF from the mid-1950's to the
early-1970's, and died in 1976. Most of his work was published under
the pen-name "John Rackham" (over a dozen Ace Double halves under this
name.) He claimed to reserve his best work for publication under his
own name, some of those stories appear in the mid-1960's in Analog,
and finally a half-dozen books under his name in the 1970's (including
2 ACE Double halves.) It is not too surprising that Phillifent
followed the inventor of the ACE Double (Donald A. Wollheim) to the
new company (DAW Books) that he formed in 1972 when he left ACE Books.
G-590 (MFU-006) DAVID McDANIEL
The Vampire Affair (1966; PBO)
MFU-006 (back cover)
It appears
that the Man From U.N.C.L.E. was also popular in France. Here is
the French edition: Des Agents
Tres Speciaux - l' affair du vampire. These Tele mystere
volumes are listed as "adventure de Napoleon Solo." Cover art is a
movie still and back cover
information is just a French translation of the American version.
The other interesting point is that the
author's name is given as David Mac Daniel.
G-600 (MFU-007) PETER LESLIE The
Radioactive Camel Affair (1966; PBO)
G-613 (MFU-008) DAVID McDANIEL
The Monster Wheel Affair (1967; PBO)
G-617 (MFU-009) PETER LESLIE The
Diving Dames Affair (1967; PBO)
G-636 (MFU-010) J. HUNTER
HOLLY (aka JOAN C. HOLLY) The Assassination Affair (1967;
PBO)
J. (Joan) HUNTER HOLLY is another ACE Double science fiction
author who dabbled in this genre.
G-645 (MFU-011) THOMAS
STRATTON (aka GENE DeWEESE and ROBERT COULSON) The
Invisibility Affair (1967; PBO)
G-663 (MFU-012) THOMAS
STRATTON (aka GENE DeWEESE and ROBERT COULSON) The
Mind-Twisters Affair (1967; PBO)
ROBERT COULSON and GENE DeWEESE continued their
collaboration with the science fiction tale Gates of the Universe
(1975) published as LASER Book #4 as well as the light-hearted
recursive sf romps "Now You See It/Him/Them" (1975) and "Charles Fort
Never Mentioned Wombats" (1977). GENE DeWEESE (1934-2012) also
contributed novels to the "Star Trek" and "Dinotopia" shared
universes.
G-670 (MFU-013) DAVID McDANIEL
The Rainbow Affair (1967; PBO)
G-689 (MFU-014) FREDRIC DAVIES
(aka RON ELLIK and FREDRIC LANGLEY) The Cross of Gold Affair
(1968; PBO)
G-729 (MFU-015) DAVID McDANIEL
The Utopia Affair (1968; PBO)
G-752 (MFU-016) PETER LESLIE The
Splintered Sunglasses Affair (1968; PBO)
MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
FIVE-DIGIT NUMBER SERIES STORIES
Remember that the five-digit series has it own UNIQUE
publishing schedule. Thus, I have placed these stories in the order of the
Man From U.N.C.L.E. story number and not chronologically as per the
ACE letter-number series. If you are interested in how ACE Books set up
this strange numbering sequence, please click
here.
51700 (MFU-017) DAVID McDANIEL
The Hollow Crown Affair (1969)
MFU-017 (back cover)
51701 (MFU-018) PETER LESLIE The
Unfair Fare Affair (1968)
51702 (MFU-019) JOHN T.
PHILLIFENT The Power Cube Affair
51703 (MFU-020) JOHN T.
PHILLIFENT The Corfu Affair (1967)
51704 (MFU-021) JOEL BERNARD The
Thinking Machine Affair (1967)
51705 (MFU-022) JOHN ORAM (aka
JOHN ORAM THOMAS) The Stone-Cold Dead In The Market Affair
51706 (MFU-023) PETER LESLIE The
Finger in the Sky Affair (1966)
In addition to The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
television series, a later spin-off was The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.
series. Alas, only two (2) paperbacks were published by Signet Books. In
addition, there were seven digests published by Leo Margolis (these appear
to be pretty difficult to find). But, for completeness sake (and because I
always had an appreciation of both Diana Rigg (as Mrs. Peel) and Stephanie
Powers (as April Dancer) in the AVENGERS and THE GIRL FROM
U.N.C.L.E. TV series) here are the images of the photo covers of the
first two volumes.
Signet D3012 The Birds of a
Feather Affair by MICHAEL AVALLONE (1966; PBO; photo cover)
Signet D3042 The Blazing
Affair by MICHAEL AVALLONE (1966; PBO; cover photos from TV series)
Another venue
The Man From U.N.C.L.E took was the silver screen.
There
were (at least) eight (8) movies based on the television show (either
specific episodes or combinations). They were released two per season.
Specific information concerning which TV episode is related to a movie
release can be found at Bill
Koenig's episode guide.
There are also a number of foreign export
titles (Australia, Argentina, Japan, and Italy) that may be different or
just a different title.
I wish to thank Paul and Stephen for
their insight and information on the film history.
One-Sheet Movie Poster (1966; measures 27" x 41"; ; international
theatre release; image courtesy of EMOVIEPOSTER.COM)
Insert movie poster (measures 14" x 36")
(1966) Don Medford spy espionage crime spoof ("America's
favorite U.N.C.L.E.s have a date with danger!"; "there are a thousand
thrilling ways 'To Trap a Spy'!"). This film was prepared from
additional scenes, some considered too spicy for television, filmed
while the pilot television episode was filmed. The TV pilot, Solo,
was trimmed and shown as the The Vulcan Affair. These scenes
were joined together, along with new footage, and re-edited to make a
single feature movie) starring Robert Vaughn ("as Mr. Solo"), David
McCallum, Luciana Paluzzi (billed as "Special Guest Star Luciana
Paluzzi"), Pat Crowley, Fritz Weaver, William Kuluva, and William
Marshall.
Half sheet movie poster (27" x 21")
of To Trap A Spy. This is an "international style" that does not
have the NSS printing information.
One-Sheet Movie Poster (measures 27" x 41"; image courtesy
of EMOVIEPOSTER.COM)
Three-Sheet Movie Poster (image courtesy of
EMOVIEPOSTER.COM)
Australian Daybill (measures 14" x 30"; personal copy)
(1966) Joseph Sargent spy espionage comedy spoof ("The
Man from U.N.C.L.E. is sensational on the BIG screen"). Written by Dean
Hargrove and adapted from the two-part episode The Alexander the
Greater Affair from the (2nd season) TV series "The Man from
U.N.C.L.E." Starring Robert Vaughn ("as Napoleon Solo"), David McCallum
("as Illya Kuryakin"), Rip Torn, and Dorothy Provine.
Argentina One-Sheet (measures 27" x 41"; appears to be
similar to US edition; personal copy)
(1966) John Newland spy espionage crime action comedy spoof
starring Robert Vaughn ("as Mr. Solo"), Senta Berger, David McCallum
("as Illya Kuryakin"), Dona Michele, and Sharon Farrell. It appears
that Spy With My Face was derived from the (1st season) TV
episode called The Double
Affair. The history of this film is also a bit interesting.
The film has additional sequences that were filmed in color, but not
included in the TV black-and-white episode. In addition, some of the
footage was used in the development of The
Four-Steps Affair, a TV episode that incorporated some of the
footage for the TV pilot Solo,
as well as some the footage shot for The
Double Affair.
One sheet movie poster (27" x 41"). This is an "international
style" that does not have the NSS printing information. This indicates
that it was printed in the U.S. for use overseas (adapted from the TV
series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." - so if anyone knows which episode,
let me know).
Half-sheet movie poster (27" x
21"). This is an "international style" that does not have the
NSS printing information.
A DOUBLE feature billing with The Spy With My Face and To
Trap A Spy. A U.S. one sheet (27" x 41") movie poster, stamped
NSS 66/32 and 66/33 on the back of the poster, with NSS 66/33 marked
on the lower right of the front.
I have also
found that the Man From U.N.C.L.E. appears to have been very
popular in Australia.
Here are the four Australian daybill movie posters (similar to
inserts) used to promote these films. I have not been completely
successful in determining the extent that these films have with the
television series.
Norman Hudis 1968 spy espionage action comedy spoof adapted
from the two-part episode The Seven Wonders of the World Affair
from the (4th season) TV series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." Starring
Robert Vaughn ("as Napoleon Solo"), David McCallum ("as Illya
Kuryakin"), Barry Sullivan, Eleanor Parker, Leslie Nielsen, Leo G.
Carroll, and Daniel O'Herlihy. This was the last of eight movies MGM
culled from "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." and released to cinemas outside
North America.
Lobby
Card (11" x 14") for Helicopter Spies. 1967 Boris
Sagal spy espionage action comedy spoof adapted from the two-part
episode The Prince of Darkness Affair from the (4th season)
TV series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." Starring Robert Vaughn (as
Napoleon Solo), David McCallum (as Ilya Kuryakin), Carol Lynley,
Bradford Dillman, Julie London (billed as "Special Guest Appearance
Julie London"), Leo G. Carrol, John Dehner, and John Carradine.
The "Karate Killers" starred Robert Vaughn ("as Napoleon Solo"),
David McCallum ("as Illya Kuryakin"), Curt Jurgens, Herbert Lom,
Telly Savalas, Terry Thomas, Leo G. Carroll, and special appearance
by Joan Crawford. Adapted from the two-part episode The
Five Daughters Affair
from the (3rd season) TV series "The Man from
U.N.C.L.E."
The "Spy
in the Green Hat" (1966) starred Robert Vaughn ("as Napoleon Solo"),
David McCallum ("as Illya Kuryakin"), Jack Palance, Leo G. Carroll,
Ludwig Donath, Joan Blondell, Letitia Roman, Will Kuluva, Eduardo
Ciannelli, Allen Jenkins, and Janet Leigh as the lesbian villainess
Miss Dykes. Adapted from the two-part episode
The Concrete Overcoat Affair
from the (3rd season) TV series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."
Australian Daybill (measures 14" x 30"; personal copies)
It appears
that the Man From U.N.C.L.E. was also popular in Argentina.
1966 E. Darrell Hallenback film. Starred Robert Vaughn ("as
Napoleon Solo"), David McCallum ("as Illya Kuryakin"), Vera Miles,
Maurice Evans, and Leo G. Carroll. Adapted from the two-part episode The
Bridge of Lions Affair from the (2nd season) TV
series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."
Argentina One-Sheet (measures 27" x 41"; personal copy)
The Man From
U.N.C.L.E. was also popular in France.
The "Karate Killers" starred Robert Vaughn ("as Napoleon Solo"),
David McCallum ("as Illya Kuryakin"), Curt Jurgens, Herbert Lom, Telly
Savalas, Terry Thomas, Leo G. Carroll, and special appearance by Joan
Crawford. Adapted from the two-part episode The
Five Daughters Affair
from the (3rd season) TV series "The Man from
U.N.C.L.E."
French One-Sheet (measures 23" x 31.5"; personal copy)
The Man From
U.N.C.L.E. was also popular in Japan.
The "Spy
in the Green Hat" (1966) starred Robert Vaughn ("as Napoleon Solo"),
David McCallum ("as Illya Kuryakin"), Jack Palance, Leo G. Carroll,
Ludwig Donath, Joan Blondell, Letitia Roman, Will Kuluva, Eduardo
Ciannelli, Allen Jenkins, and Janet Leigh as the lesbian villainess
Miss Dykes. Adapted from the two-part episode
The Concrete Overcoat Affair
from the (3rd season) TV series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."
Japanese "B2" style movie poster (measures 20.25" x 28.625"; personal
copy)
As I get further information on these films and how that they fit into
the television series or the ACE novels, I will let you know. Otherwise,
enjoy.
Last Update 22 March 2016
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