Brian Clemens obit

 

R.I.P. Brian Clemens, Writer of ‘See No Evil’ And ‘Thriller’, Dies At Age 83

He was not on the list.

Sad news to report as writer Brian Clemens has passed away yesterday at age 83. The writer was known to many as one of the creators of the television series The Professionals as well as one of the main contributing writers to the 1960’s series The Avengers.

To horror fans, Clemens was known as being the writer of 1965’s Curse Of The Voodoo, 1960’s The Tell Tale Heart, the classic 1971 thriller See No Evil, and 1970’s And Soon The Darkness. He was also the main writer and creator of the 70’s TV mystery/horror series Thriller.

One of my personal favorites of Clemens’ was The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad, a film that my father and I loved to watch on lazy Saturday afternoons whenever it appeared on TV.

Clemens is survived by his wife and two sons. We send our condolences and thoughts.

Brian Clemens left school at the age of 14. After national service with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, he worked his way up from messenger boy to copywriter at an advertising agency, writing in his spare time. One of his scripts was accepted by the BBC in 1955. He joined a production company, literally writing scripts to order. With tight deadlines and plots often based on the availability of sets, props or location, he churned out scripts for B-films and TV series.

Clemens is best remembered for his work on British television in the 1960s and 1970s, especially on Danger Man (1960), The Avengers (1961) (for which he wrote many episodes, including the pilot in 1961), The Baron (1966), The Persuaders! (1971) and creating The Professionals (1977). He also wrote for the stage; his play "Strictly Murder" was performed by a cast including Brian Capron in 2017.

Clemens was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to Broadcasting and to Drama. According to his son Samuel, the last thing he did before he died was to watch an episode of The Avengers (1961) and his last words were: "I did quite a good job".

Writer

On the Edge of Darkness

play "Strictly Murder"

Pre-production

 

Surgery (2015)

Surgery

7.2

Short

based on the final idea by

2015

 

And Soon the Darkness (2010)

And Soon the Darkness

5.1

Writer (1970 film "And Soon the Darkness")

2010

 

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Sherlock Holmes

Podcast Series

Writer

2010

1 episode

 

Jane Doe: How to Fire Your Boss (2007)

Jane Doe: How to Fire Your Boss

6.2

Video

story

2007

 

McBride: Fallen Idol (2006)

McBride: Fallen Idol

6.6

TV Movie

written by

2006

 

The Wrong Side of the Rainbow

TV Series

Writer

2000–2001

 

CI5: The New Professionals (1998)

CI5: The New Professionals

5.2

TV Series

creator

written by

writer

1999

13 episodes

 

Bugs (1995)

Bugs

6.9

TV Series

creator

from a story by

1995–1999

40 episodes

 

Justine: A Private Affair (1995)

Justine: A Private Affair

4.1

screenplay

1995

 

Adrian Paul in Highlander (1992)

Highlander

7.2

TV Series

writer

1992

1 episode

 

Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride (1992)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride

6.8

TV Movie

story

teleplay

1992

 

Perry Mason: The Case of the Reckless Romeo (1992)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Reckless Romeo

7.0

TV Movie

written by

1992

 

Perry Mason: The Case of the Glass Coffin (1991)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Glass Coffin

7.1

TV Movie

written by

1991

 

Tom Bosley and Tracy Nelson in Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery (1987)

Father Dowling Mysteries

6.9

TV Series

story

executive story consultant

written by ...

1990–1991

14 episodes

 

Sean Connery and Christopher Lambert in Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)

Highlander II: The Quickening

4.2

story

1991

 

Max Monroe (1990)

Max Monroe

6.1

TV Series

story by

written by

story

1990

4 episodes

 

Tushka Bergen in Blaues Blut (1988)

Blaues Blut

4.9

TV Mini Series

Writer

1989–1990

10 episodes

 

Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

7.7

TV Series

story and teleplay

1989

1 episode

 

Worlds Beyond (1986)

Worlds Beyond

6.7

TV Series

writer

1986–1987

3 episodes

 

Timestalkers (1987)

Timestalkers

5.6

TV Movie

story

teleplay

1987

 

Charles Dance in The Secret Servant (1984)

The Secret Servant

6.8

TV Series

adapted for television by

1984

3 episodes

 

Pierce Brosnan and Stephanie Zimbalist in Remington Steele (1982)

Remington Steele

7.3

TV Series

story by

written by

1984

2 episodes

 

Dirk Benedict, Jan Francis, and Peter Graves in Fox Mystery Theater (1984)

Fox Mystery Theater

7.2

TV Series

writer

screenplay

1984

2 episodes

 

Terence Alexander, Sean Arnold, Annette Badland, Deborah Grant, Lindsay Heath, Celia Imrie, David Kershaw, Geoffrey Leesley, Thérèse Liotard, Nancy Mansfield, Tony Melody, John Nettles, Cécile Paoli, John Telfer, and Mela White in Bergerac (1981)

Bergerac

6.9

TV Series

by

1983

1 episode

 

Lewis Collins, Gordon Jackson, and Martin Shaw in The Professionals (1977)

The Professionals

8.0

TV Series

creator

written by

by ...

1977–1983

57 episodes

 

James Coburn in Darkroom (1981)

Darkroom

7.2

TV Series

written by

1982

1 episode

 

The Watcher in the Woods (1980)

The Watcher in the Woods

6.1

screenplay by

1980

 

The Masqueraders (1980)

The Masqueraders

Writer

1980

 

Escapade (1978)

Escapade

5.3

TV Movie

written by

1978

 

Patrick Macnee, Gareth Hunt, and Joanna Lumley in The New Avengers (1976)

The New Avengers

7.2

TV Series

written by

1976–1977

17 episodes

 

The Expert (1968)

The Expert

8.1

TV Series

writer

1976

1 episode

 

Brian Blessed, Diana Dors, Sinéad Cusack, Don Henderson, Freddie Jones, Nyree Dawn Porter, Robert Powell, and Dennis Waterman in Thriller (1973)

Thriller

7.8

TV Series

created by

writer

written by ...

1973–1976

43 episodes

 

Quiller (1975)

Quiller

6.7

TV Series

writer

1975

3 episodes

 

Polly Bergen, Donna Mills, Paul Burke, Judy Carne, and Barbara Feldon in The Wide World of Mystery (1973)

The Wide World of Mystery

6.8

TV Series

written by

writer

created by

1973–1975

8 episodes

 

Comedy Premiere (1975)

Comedy Premiere

TV Series

writer

1975

1 episode

 

John Cater, Horst Janson, and Caroline Munro in Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter (1974)

Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter

6.3

written by

1974

 

John Phillip Law and Caroline Munro in The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973)

The Golden Voyage of Sinbad

6.8

screenplay

story

1973

 

Robert Vaughn, Tony Anholt, and Nyree Dawn Porter in The Protectors (1972)

The Protectors

6.7

TV Series

writer

screenplay

1972–1973

6 episodes

 

Barbara Feldon in Lady Killer (1973)

Lady Killer

TV Movie

created by

writer (creator)

1973

 

Gene Barry, Barry Morse, and Catherine Schell in The Adventurer (1972)

The Adventurer

6.2

TV Series

writer

1972

1 episode

 

My Wife Next Door (1972)

My Wife Next Door

7.2

TV Series

created by (creator)

1972

13 episodes

 

Barbara Eden in The Woman Hunter (1972)

The Woman Hunter

4.7

TV Movie

story by

teleplay by

1972

 

Katharine Blake and Paul Eddington in Suspicion (1971)

Suspicion

TV Series

writer

1972

1 episode

 

Tony Curtis and Roger Moore in The Persuaders! (1971)

The Persuaders!

8.0

TV Series

screenplay by

1971

3 episodes

 

Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde (1971)

Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde

6.6

screenplay

1971

 

Mia Farrow, Diane Grayson, and Paul Nicholas in See No Evil (1971)

See No Evil

6.6

written by

1971

 

Michele Dotrice and Pamela Franklin in And Soon the Darkness (1970)

And Soon the Darkness

6.6

original story

screenplay

1970

 

Alexandra Bastedo, Stuart Damon, and William Gaunt in The Champions (1968)

The Champions

7.5

TV Series

screenplay

writer

1968–1969

2 episodes

 

The Avengers (1961)

The Avengers

8.3

TV Series

teleplay by

teleplay

written by

1961–1969

32 episodes

 

Liebesgeschichten (1967)

Liebesgeschichten

8.9

TV Series

teleplay "In Loving Memory"

1967

1 episode

 

The Corrupt Ones (1967)

The Corrupt Ones

5.7

screenplay

1967

 

Gerald Harper in Adam Adamant Lives! (1966)

Adam Adamant Lives!

7.0

TV Series

story

by

1966

2 episodes

 

Steve Forrest in The Baron (1966)

The Baron

7.1

TV Series

screenplay by (as Tony O'Grady)

1966

2 episodes

 

Edward Judd and Caroline Mortimer in Intrigue (1966)

Intrigue

TV Series

writer

1966

1 episode

 

Riviera Police (1965)

Riviera Police

8.1

TV Series

Writer

1965

1 episode

 

Voodoo Blood Death (1965)

Voodoo Blood Death

3.7

screenplay (as Tony O'Grady)

1965

 

Donald Pleasence and Betsy Blair in Love Story (1963)

Love Story

7.1

TV Series

writer

1964

1 episode

 

ITV Sunday Night Drama (1959)

ITV Sunday Night Drama

7.1

TV Series

writer

1964

1 episode

 

The Protectors (1964)

The Protectors

7.8

TV Series

writer (as Tony O'Grady)

1964

1 episode

 

Michael Quinn and Donald Wolfit in Ghost Squad (1961)

Ghost Squad

7.2

TV Series

Writer

1961–1964

2 episodes

 

Sospecha

TV Series

Writer

1964

1 episode

 

The Sentimental Agent (1963)

The Sentimental Agent

7.1

TV Series

writer

1963

1 episode

 

Craig Stevens in Man of the World (1962)

Man of the World

7.3

TV Series

writer

1963

1 episode

 

Station Six Sahara (1963)

Station Six Sahara

6.4

screenplay

1963

 

Kraft Theatre (1947)

The United States Steel Hour

7.8

TV Series

from the British television play by

1962

1 episode

 

The Cheaters (1960)

The Cheaters

7.8

TV Series

story

writer

1961–1962

7 episodes

 

Jean Kent and Terence Morgan in Sir Francis Drake (1961)

Sir Francis Drake

7.1

TV Series

writer

1962

1 episode

 

The Spanish Sword (1962)

The Spanish Sword

3.7

story

1962

 

The Silent Invasion (1962)

The Silent Invasion

4.4

story

1962

 

The Court Martial of Major Keller (1961)

The Court Martial of Major Keller

5.8

story

1961

 

The Pursuers (1961)

The Pursuers

5.8

story

1961

 

Lisa Daniely in The Middle Course (1961)

The Middle Course

4.2

Writer

1961

 

John Ireland and Susan Stephen in Return of a Stranger (1961)

Return of a Stranger

5.1

Writer

1961

 

Tarnished Heroes (1961)

Tarnished Heroes

5.5

story

1961

 

Fate Takes a Hand (1961)

Fate Takes a Hand

5.9

story by

1961

 

Top Secret (1961)

Top Secret

7.1

TV Series

Writer (as Richard Lucas)

1961

1 episode

 

Two Wives at One Wedding (1961)

Two Wives at One Wedding

5.7

story

1961

 

Highway to Battle

4.2

Writer

1961

 

The Mask of the Clown

TV Series

Writer

1961

 

The Tell-Tale Heart (1960)

The Tell-Tale Heart

5.8

screenplay by

1960

 

Transatlantic (1960)

Transatlantic

2.3

Writer

1960

 

An Honourable Murder (1960)

An Honourable Murder

4.9

screenplay

1960

 

Patrick McGoohan in Danger Man (1960)

Danger Man

7.9

TV Series

screenplay

original story

teleplay

1960

9 episodes

 

Theatre 70

TV Series

Writer

1960

1 episode

 

Man from Interpol (1960)

Man from Interpol

6.5

TV Series

writer

story

1960

9 episodes

 

Identity Unknown

5.9

Writer

1960

 

Mission in Morocco (1960)

Mission in Morocco

6.1

screenplay

1960

 

Armchair Theatre (1956)

Armchair Theatre

7.5

TV Series

writer

1960

1 episode

 

Dial 999 (1958)

Dial 999

7.1

TV Series

Writer (as Tony O'Grady)

1958–1959

6 episodes

 

The Vise (1954)

The Vise

7.0

TV Series

story

teleplay

writer ...

1955–1959

38 episodes

 

Dermot Walsh and Wendy Williams in Crash Drive (1959)

Crash Drive

4.2

writer

1959

 

Tim Turner in The Invisible Man (1958)

The Invisible Man

7.0

TV Series

story

screenplay (as Tony O'Grady)

1959

2 episodes

 

Interpol Calling (1959)

Interpol Calling

7.3

TV Series

writer (as Tony o'Grady)

1959

1 episode

 

Top Floor Girl (1959)

Top Floor Girl

3.9

writer

1959

 

A Woman's Temptation

3.7

writer

1959

 

Web of Suspicion (1959)

Web of Suspicion

2.0

writer

1959

 

High Jump (1959)

High Jump

4.2

writer

1959

 

Innocent Meeting (1959)

Innocent Meeting

5.9

story

1959

 

The Child and the Killer (1959)

The Child and the Killer

4.2

story

1959

 

Kay Callard and Denis Shaw in The Great Van Robbery (1959)

The Great Van Robbery

5.8

screenplay

story (uncredited)

1959

 

Three Crooked Men (1959)

Three Crooked Men

5.1

story

1959

 

White Hunter (1957)

White Hunter

6.5

TV Series

Writer (as Tony O'Grady)

1958

1 episode

 

The Secret Man (1958)

The Secret Man

5.4

original story

screenplay (as Tony O'Grady)

1958

 

Links of Justice (1958)

Links of Justice

3.2

writer

1958

 

Moment of Indiscretion (1958)

Moment of Indiscretion

6.0

story

1958

 

A Woman Possessed (1958)

A Woman Possessed

5.6

story

1958

 

On the Run (1958)

On the Run

4.2

writer

1958

 

A Woman of Mystery (1958)

A Woman of Mystery

5.8

screenplay

1958

 

William Gargan in The New Adventures of Martin Kane (1957)

The New Adventures of Martin Kane

5.8

TV Series

written by

story

1957–1958

3 episodes

 

The Betrayal (1957)

The Betrayal

6.1

Writer

1957

 

The Depraved (1957)

The Depraved

5.3

screen play

1957

 

Three Sundays to Live (1957)

Three Sundays to Live

5.0

story

1957

 

At the Stroke of Nine (1957)

At the Stroke of Nine

3.2

Writer (as Tony O'Grady)

1957

 

Sandra Dorne in Operation Murder (1957)

Operation Murder

5.3

Writer

1957

 

Producer

Dress Rehearsal (2015)

Dress Rehearsal

Short

executive producer

2015

 

The Lighter (2011)

The Lighter

7.1

Short

executive producer

2011

 

CI5: The New Professionals (1998)

CI5: The New Professionals

5.2

TV Series

executive producer

1999

13 episodes

 

Lewis Collins, Gordon Jackson, and Martin Shaw in The Professionals (1977)

The Professionals

8.0

TV Series

executive producer

1977–1983

57 episodes

 

Escapade (1978)

Escapade

5.3

TV Movie

producer

1978

 

Patrick Macnee, Gareth Hunt, and Joanna Lumley in The New Avengers (1976)

The New Avengers

7.2

TV Series

producer

1976–1977

22 episodes

 

John Cater, Horst Janson, and Caroline Munro in Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter (1974)

Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter

6.3

producer

1974

 

Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde (1971)

Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde

6.6

producer

1971

 

Michele Dotrice and Pamela Franklin in And Soon the Darkness (1970)

And Soon the Darkness

6.6

producer

1970

 

The Avengers (1961)

The Avengers

8.3

TV Series

producer

associate producer

1965–1969

83 episodes

 

Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg in Emma Peel: Meine tollsten Abenteuer mit John Steed (1968)

Emma Peel: Meine tollsten Abenteuer mit John Steed

producer

1968

 

Additional Crew

Bugs (1995)

Bugs

6.9

TV Series

series consultant

1995–1999

39 episodes

 

Tom Bosley and Tracy Nelson in Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery (1987)

Father Dowling Mysteries

6.9

TV Series

executive story consultant

1990–1991

3 episodes

 

Patrick Macnee, Gareth Hunt, and Joanna Lumley in The New Avengers (1976)

The New Avengers

7.2

TV Series

presenter

1977

4 episodes

 

The Avengers (1961)

The Avengers

8.3

TV Series

story editor (uncredited)

1965–1966

26 episodes

 

Michael Quinn and Donald Wolfit in Ghost Squad (1961)

Ghost Squad

7.2

TV Series

story editor (season 3)

1961–1964

In 1988, Clemens wrote the play Holmes and the Ripper, which was inspired by Stephen Knight's book Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution. The play has the great detective Sherlock Holmes and his colleague Dr. Watson become embroiled in the grisly murders in Whitechapel in 1888. The play would be adapted into an audio drama by Big Finish Productions.[10]

 

In 2008 Clemens wrote the play Murder Hunt, which was performed at The Mill at Sonning and starred David Monteith as Captain K'Maka, a native African policeman who has to find the murderer amongst a bunch of guests stranded at a remote safari lodge.[11] The list of plays he helped to write and produce:[12]

 

Year     Title            Collaboration    Genre            Notes

1971    The Avengers            Terence Feely             Stage version of television show

1972    Lover               Thriller 

1972    Shock!             Thriller 

1973    Dear Heart            Terence Feely Drama            Loosely based upon life of Joe Orton

1975    Edge of Darkness                      Drama 

1977    Our Kid                  One act Drama  Based upon the Moors Murders and Myra Hindley

1979    I'm Only Going to Kill her Dennis Spooner            Comedy         

1979    Will You Still Love Me in the Morning            Dennis Spooner            Sex comedy

1982    All About Murder              Thriller 

1986    Sting in the Tale            Dennis Spooner            Drama 

1988    Holmes and the Ripper              Mystery          Based on the Whitechapel murders and Sherlock Holmes

1990            Anybody for Murder?            Dennis Spooner            Drama 

1993    Inside Job                   Thriller 

2001    The Devil at Midnight                       Thriller 

Without Trace                         

2006    Strictly Murder             Thriller 

2012    Murder Weapon                       Thriller