The Protectors

The Protectors comprised 52 half-hour episodes of thrill-based action (29/09/72 – 15/03/74). It was Gerry's second TV series to use live actors instead of marionettes – the first being The Secret Service – and it's the only one made outside the genres of fantasy and science fiction. Anderson claims Sir Lew Grade gave him the idea in brief, but left it to him to develop it. Everything centred on three affluent private detectives from an organisation called The Protectors: Harry Rule (Robert Vaughn), Contessa Caroline di Contini (Nyree Dawn Porter) and Paul Buchet (Tony Anholt). The very catchy theme tune, "Avenues And Alleyways", was a minor UK hit for Tony Christie.