It never ceases to amaze me how a quality series like this has been neglected in favour of lesser and more dated ITC shows of that genre. Getting Texan Richard Bradford in the title role was a master stroke! His interpretation of the hero of the piece was spot on, making McGill 'human'. He wasn't ruthless, but he was tough, he had integrity and was loyal to past associates - even if they didn't always mirror the same courtesy to him. When he occasionally let down his guard and gave us an insight into why he was the way he was, the characterisation became even more intriguing, and to use Richard Bradford's terminology, 'made him real'. I love this series and I'm forever grateful to Mr Bradford for making such an effort to get his performance just right. I think its a fine tribute to his dedication for his craft that the work he did on this production continues to excite people all these years later - can't think of a greater legacy for any actor!

When Patrick McGoohan abruptly left 'Danger Man' in 1966, the entire production team split in half - David Tomblin, George Markstein, and Don Chaffey followed him to Portmeirion to create the bizarre cult classic 'The Prisoner', while Sidney Cole, Barry Delmaine and John Glen set up a new show. Originally titled 'McGill', it was created by Dennis Spooner and Richard Harris, neither of whom had any further involvement.'Man In A Suitcase' was an unusual series from the I.T.C. stable, insofar that it had a hero who wasn't respected or admired, simply misunderstood. McGill had been a top U.S. agent who'd been sacked for his part in a spy scandal for which he was blameless, and had become a private eye based in London and Europe.Richard Bradford made 'McGill' harder than the heroes generally found on television at that time ( he chain smoked for one thing ) while the scripts were of a high standard, particularly 'The Whisper', 'Variation On A Million Bucks', 'Dead Man's Shoes', 'Day Of Execution', and 'Web With Four Spiders'. The guest-stars included John Gregson, Colin Blakely ( twice ), Edward Fox, Simon Williams, Rodney Bewes, Stuart Damon, Judy Geeson, Jacqueline Pearce, Patrick Cargill and Darren Nesbitt.It is rumoured that some scripts were left overs from 'Danger Man'. 'The Boston Square' and 'Night Flight To Andorra' look as though they could have fitted into that series, while 'The Bridge' is more like an episode of A.B.C.'s 'The Human Jungle'. 'Jigsaw Man' was the only 'Suitcase' adventure to play for laughs.Unlike the bloodless fights seen in 'The Saint', 'Suitcase' actually showed McGill getting hurt and, in a couple of instances, beaten senseless. By depicting the world of espionage in a realistic light, the show was slightly ahead of its time. It was a '70's show made in the '60's. Ron Grainer's theme tune is one of his best too!Of all the I.T.C. action shows made in the mid-to-late '60's, 'Man In a Suitcase' was the most deserving of a second series.

McGill mostly drove a Hillman Imp (green and red), but was so cool that he could do that and not appear bland. I think it's a huge credit to the producers that they chose an Imp for McGill. A flashier car would have detracted from his character a great deal.My very first car was a 1966 Hillman Imp and I felt really cool in it too.The other thing I liked about Lew Grade's 1960s TV series is that the main characters - except The Saint - usually drove British cars, which for me made them more real.According to an interview I saw recently with Johnny Goodman (production manager on The Baron) no British manufacturer would donate a car for Simon Templar - not even Jaguar. Hence that VOLVO P1800, which started moving out of showrooms real fast shortly after its film debut.Obviously British car manufacturers in the 1960s weren't as clued up about how this kind of product placement could do wonders for their sales figures.I have recently seen all the episodes of Man in a Suitcase again and I must say that they look as hip today as when I first saw them in 1967 as a boy of ten on black and white TV. In fact - they look even fresher in colour.There's no doubt that Man in a Suitcase was/is a true classic.

With Bradford solving mysteries with cigarette in hand or mouth in ninety nine percent of scenes, this is a great private eye show. Using a lot of different facial expressions, this is not only an interesting and slightly different detective show but its very watchable as well. It may take a couple of episodes to get into it but its worth it.