John Steed of "The Avengers"

April 30, 1999

NetCafeLive presents actor Patrick Macnee, the ever-suave John Steed in the classic TV series, The Avengers. Macnee discusses the release of “The Avengers ‘65” video collection, and reminisces the good old days of espionage adventures with Emma Peel and other Avengers leading ladies.

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OrCCCa: Welcome to NetCafeLive! Where the stars of stage, screen and literature come to chat! NetCafeLive! is a joint production of Borders.com (tm) and Talk City (tm). Thanks for joining us today. NetCafeLive and Talk City are pleased to welcome you today to chat with Actor Patrick Macnee, the original John Steed in "The Avengers." Patrick is here tonight to chat about "The Avengers '65" video collection. This collection, recently released, features the first, legendary, Emma Peel and John Steed espionage adventures from autumn 1965, the year the duo took the world by storm. These are the original episodes that marked Patrick Macnee's debut as John Steed. Without further ado, please join us in a big welcome to Talk City for our celebrated guest, Patrick Macnee.

Patrick Macnee: How do you do?

OrCCCa Says: Welcome back to Talk City Patrick! How do you feel about the release of this new video set "The Avengers '65"? Was that the best year of the series in your view?

PatrickMacnee: No, it wasn't the best, but on the other hand it's color, and we can release it digitally restored. The quality is so good, and after lousy pirating over the years, I am very excited. They were at number 19 in Billboard's video list last week. They're very good, and thank God for modern technology.

Cage: How did you become involved in acting?

Patrick Macnee: You don't get "involved," you don't just take it up. This may sound pompous (I'm 77!), but if you're brought up in a boarding school in England, you are exposed to Drama. I played Henry V at age 8! It must have been awful, but I did it! Then I went on the London boards, then had to go to the North Channel and fight Hitler for five years. When I came back, I got "involved" then in the acting.

THESHADOW-99: In some of the scenes did you do your own stunts? I am a 14 male from Missouri and I love the Avengers. My hobby is to make movies; yes I make movies! I am doing 3 right now! Thank you.

Patrick Macnee: Spielberg's first movies were little movies too! My wife gave Spielberg his first job, in a series called “The Psychiatrist.” No, I didn't do my own stunts. A stunt man is a stunt man is a stunt man. And an actor is an actor is an actor. I think actors need to take enormous pride in just doing that - acting. I am proud of my acting abilities.

Cassie: What inspires you?

Patrick Macnee: In acting, there are so many things, different over the years that appealed to me. What I like now is different from when I was in my 20's, when I liked "Citizen Kane" and Ingmar Bergman films, also, German and Danish films that were quite erotic. As I have gone through life, I see films like "Mary Poppins," and I love it! I hate the new ones, with entrails cut out. I don't want to see those. As for inspiring me in my life, the same duck has come back every year. Her name is Jolie. But now we have George. Jolie had 13 little ducklings. If you're a duck, and come back to a condominium every year for years, that inspires me.

CCCouGar: Why do you think Emma Peel became the first partner of yours on "The Avengers" to take the world by storm?

Patrick Macnee: 1) Because she was seen all over the world at almost exactly the same time. 2) She wore revealing outfits, which if you're a young man can raise the libido. 3) Because she is one of the finest actresses in the world. She's now Dame Diana.

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