1 9 5 7 – 1 9 5 8 (UK/USA)
26 x 30 minute episodes
Frank Hawthorne (Ron Randell) was an agent in World War II’s Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.), the American spy agency. He operated behind German lines in France with the assistance of the French Resistance and his assistant, Sergeant O’Brien (Robert Gallico).
Both men received their orders from Lionel Murton as ‘The Chief’.
Filmed in moody black & white in England and France, each of the stories dramatised apparently had a basis in actual WWII history and the series was allegedly based on a real organisation of the same name, which was disbanded after the war and was, in fact, the precursor to the CIA.
Co-producer Colonel William Eliscu had himself served in the agency, adding some semblance of authenticity to the stories, which usually involved rescue and sabotage missions behind enemy lines.
The Anglo-American series was based at the National Studios at Elstree under producer Jules Buck.
Captain Frank Hawthorn
Ron Randell
Sergeant O’Brien
Robert Gallico
The Chief
Lionel Murton