In most TV series about unique human beings there's usually one that tweaks the 4th wall in having the concept of a film studio wanting to make a motion picture about the series itself, which for the viewer isn't a series at all, often feeling intrusive or contrived but THE SAINT season two's STARRING THE SAINT is one of the iconic British show's best episodes, and features two polar opposite bombshells...
One being Joan's sister, future scandal writer Jackie Collins as a lavish actress and Moore's love interest, and sophisticated secretary Monica Stevenson who... along with has-been actor Alexander Davion seeking the Saint role, troubled director Alfred Burke wanting out of a contract and a frustrated writing team including LOLITA actor Jerry Stovin... continuously weathers her nefarious producer boss, played with sublime menace by Ronald Radd...
Pretentiously donning shades in his very own studio and taking no for all answers, he winds up the murder victim, which happens more than halfway through, providing not only a terrific antagonist but an eclectic slew of culprits for Moore's Simon Templar to politely interrogate and investigate...
Thankfully the whole movie-within-a-movie never crosses the developmental stage, remaining a suspenseful and clever mystery also featuring a relatively unknown character-actor in JUNGLE STREET lowlife Brian Weske as an impatient cabbie witness... in an episode that keeps the viewer and the titular hero guessing throughout.
