Despite his rocky upbringing, Patrick Macnee came to epitomize dignity and class. Always a pleasure to watch. The “Steed” we admired was largely his creation, down to the wardrobe.
The Avengers was mostly always filmed as to say, "Don't take what we've filmed seriously, all a bit of fun" with a big wink and nudge . Brilliant escapism .
I loved him in "The Avengers ". I also loved him in the British Sterling auto commercial. He was able to convey all of the automobile s qualities in just one sentence. As the auto is going down the road, the James Bond theme is playing. He slides to a stop and exits the car and says, "You were expecting someone else I presume. ". Loved it.
Didn't know about any nudism but he visited Australia several times and hired my father's trio to play at his hotel suite while he entertained several ladies there. I was told he was a consummate gentleman all the way... If I recall correctly this was in the late 60s or early 70s.
Nudist clubs have never been illegal in the UK. The fact that nudism has traditionally been practiced in private clubs and very remote areas has more to do with public attitudes than the law. Speilplatz, the club which you're referring to, has been running openly since 1929. Nudity as a healthy lifestyle was, in fact, quite trendy in the 1920s and 1930s. George Bernard Shaw was a famous proponent. Britain's most well known nudist magazine, 'Health and Efficiency', has been in constant publication since Victorian times. Illegal? Don't think so.
If Mcnee was determined to practice his lifestyle pre central heating in the UK it shows a level of dedication that perhaps should be admired. Id imagine his difficulties were more from the fact naturism can attract those with much more questionable hobbies than his own more than breaking a law that didn't exist.
No, I had no idea that Patrick Macnee was interested in nudism. I'd never have imagined it, because he always took such care to be impeccably well-dressed and presented in his TV roles.
I've been a Patrick Macnee fan since I was 4yrs.old. I knew about him being a nudist since I was very young. I never looked down on him for his questionable life. I can understand why he did some of the things he did. When you look at his upbringing you understand why he did the things he did. He was sexually abused as a child as was I so I feel the pain he had in his life. Children that are abused end up making poor decisions in life. I myself had made some also. So I see Macnee with caring eyes. Never judge someone because you don't know what they may have been through. I will always love and admire this man. I also have a niece who is a nudist and I love that kid. She has also been through a lot. So this was nothing new to me since I discovered that long ago. He was a sweet man. Patrick Macnee was the hottest naturist ever. If you want to know more about this read his autobiography. Amazing book. Long Live Patrick Macnee.
*Yes, I have read his biography - not the most easy of lives. I could never understand why he preferred to live in tiny bedsits, while he was married to his first wife and having a family. He pursued his success at all costs to himself and family life.*
"There are those who believe that life here began Out There...far across the universe..." His voice is immortalized in the opening intro to the original "Battlestar Galactica."
Patrick Macnee did have quirks. He hated driving his old Bentley on the Avengers. He rarely drove; usually, a stunt man drove it. When he was forced to drive, he stayed in 2nd gear. He also had drinking problems. Diana Rigg had to talk to him because of his drinking. He was drunk while filming, which was becoming a problem. He finally stopped under pressure from Diana Rigg. She smoked 20 cigarettes a day, but he smoked 80. His aversion to driving continued when he moved to the US. He owned a Cadillac, which he rarely drove, but instead, he lent it out to friends. He had many odd quirks. The Avengers also had odd quirks as well. Some racist like no blacks allowed on show although a couple of episodes had black men in nonspeaking roles. No blood was allowed, and no women were to be killed, although at least one did off-screen. The Avengers seemed to be low-budget. Many props were used repeatedly, like a somewhat flimsy iron narrow spiral staircase that I saw frequently. Also, there are frequent cheap backgrounds, supposedly outdoors, but you could see the actor's shadows on the backgrounds. I still am very fond of the show partially because of its odd quirks.
Very negative, read his book BLIND IN ONE EAR , and Diana Rigg's book, they thought the world of each other and remained friends till the end of their lives. She lived to 82, he lived even longer, his bottle of scotch a day was dropped early enough, which validates how he could live TO AGE 93 . He developed a fondness for prune juice and nudity. His personal car was a Jaguar sedan which he drove faithfully. They did not want him to drive the old tv series Bentley, fast , it was to valuable and too old to drive fast. Not even THE SAINT , Roger Moore, drove his volvo 1900, fast . Moore and Macnee , were close friends by the way ... I think most of your other information is inaccurate as well and does not match up with the studio information that I have in my collection ... You also seem to be confusing Honor Blackman, with Diana Rigg. It was Blackman who left the Avengers series suddenly. Macnee , developed a romantic interest in her, very dangerous as she really did practice martial arts, and wrote a book on the subject. Blackman went on to make GOLDFINGER , AS A bOND GIRL ... Macnee, was second lieutenant, British torpedo boats, in WWII. He developed a serious case of Bronchitis , and was not lost with his shipmates in combat around D-Day . Perhaps Macnee, suffered from PTSD , over it ... The filming schedule for the Avengers series worked like this. Both Macnee and Rigg, would be picked up separately at 5 AM, from their city apartments. At the studio before 6 AM and would work until 6 or 7 PM, then driven home. So depending on how much sleep you needed , 4 to 8 hours , that was your time before the alarm at 4 AM or so it was not much of a life until the weekend . TV series schedules are grueling...
@@bhartley868 I never said DR and Paddy Nee weren't good friends. She later said Paddy and her chauffer were her only friends on the Avengers crew. Paddy did have a drinking problem which was becoming a problem when filming. DR cared enough to help him stop, one would only do that for a friend. He didn't like driving which is a personal preference. Big cities like London are a pain to drive in- so I can understand why. DR liked him so much that she called him Paddy Nee, which sounds like a term of affection.
It turns out, if you actually do some research, that Macnee may have temporarily backed off drinking for DR. Still, he didn't actually stop until the 1980s when he was developing liver disease. DR tried to minimize the drinking on the Avengers. She claimed the champagne was sparkling lemonade when in reality while filming the Avengers they went through several cases of champagne. I really couldn't care less that he was a heavy drinker. Many of my favorite actors were heavy drinkers or drug users. It is common in the profession there aren't many perfect people. Dame Diana also followed in Honor Blackman's footsteps. She left the Avengers and became the best Bond woman of all time. She did come back for a farewell episode for Patrick but was not happy with her time on The Avengers. She was actually somewhat touchy when approached for Avengers autographs but did them anyway. I have her and Paddy's autographs together. She did a couple of odd short films after leaving the Avengers "The Minikillers" for a German company.
One of McNee's roles,was was in,"A Christmas Carol",with Alistair Sim,which was a bit part,but most memorable! He even was a host for one program during the 1970's/1980's! Thank you 😇 😊!
I personally do not consider being naked strange. In the centre of London perhaps, but out in the wilds with like minded people? I and many others find naturism stress relieving and extremely comfortable.
Diana Rigg would not have been shocked at all. I remember reading in the now defunct Weekend magazine that she be naked at home.,As a teenager she stirred my imagination to previously unknown heights. Maybe a little more research is needed on your part
Spielplatz was founded in 1929 by Charles Macaskie and his wife Dorothy, Spielplatz (German for playground) is the longest-operating naturist resort in the United Kingdom. Consisting of 10 acres of peaceful woodland and lawns, Spielplatz is situated in the quiet village of Bricket Wood, St Albans, Hertfordshire.
Patrick, once told me a story about when Lorne Greene and he used to act on stage in Toronto, I do not remember the name of the troupe, he told me this around 1988.... Every time they would get a 'pittance' of pay, back then, Lorne would try to cajole Patrick into giving some of Pat's $ to him, to invest in a fledgling company. Patrick would always, politely, decline. Patrick said, to me, that when Lorne went off to Hollywood, for that "silly Bonawnza thing"(trying to get his accent) that Lorne was doing 'quite well'! "You see, Allen, that fledgling company was/is...........................................I.B.M. ! Lovely man, was Patrick Macnee! 🌠🪐
My best mates dad used to play live in his band at Hoockingdon lane nudist camp near where i grew up.... we tried may times to sneek in. 😆 🤣 😂 never could..
He was subjected to child abuse by his selfish mum, I liked him loads regardless of everything, still do to this day. Thanks for the entertainment Patrick. R.I.E.P. 🕯🥀 🕊.
for your information, steed never used guns, he did not carry one, he had a brolly and a coke hat, nothing more. and yes, a 'coke' is the original name for the bowler, designed to be light yet hard enough to protect against poacher's cudgels, for the use of game wardens. poachers had guns, but the gallows was still a thing, so their prefered method when challenged was to bop the warden over the head with something, assault over assault with a deadly weapon or murder being prisonable only at the time. and yes, it is actually possible to knock someone out with a coke.
Hmm, not sure nudism is taboo. It was quite popular back in his day. It use to be very popular in the UK. Go to an beach (today) where Germans frequent, and you will see a lot of 'Bratwurst' on display.
Must be because I used to watch The Avengers as a kid I've always has a soft spot for MacNee. He was faithful to The Avengers even when the 'absurd' scripts became idiotic. I think MacNee could've played a much more realistic spy, I also think he was under valued as an actor.
*_That was Canadian actress Linda Thorson playing the part of Tara King. She was the third and final accomplice to John Steed. She had not long left drama school when she won the part._*
Did I know? Do I care? … not really but it was the 60s. I lived through the era and it seemed like this was the thing of the future in the Midwest USA. 30 miles from Chicago had a half dozen “nudist camps” in Indiana and, possibly Wisconsin.
It's pronounced "Hartford-sheer" not "Hurtford- shyre" FFS - no matter how its spelled. Please learn how to speak British English properly (it's a mark of respect, don't you know!). I suppose at least I should be thankful for small mercies - the narrator at least got the "ford" bit more or less right although I think an actual Englishman would still be inclined to say something closer to "fud" not ford.
Despite his rocky upbringing, Patrick Macnee came to epitomize dignity and class. Always a pleasure to watch. The “Steed” we admired was largely his creation, down to the wardrobe.
The Avengers was mostly always filmed as to say, "Don't take what we've filmed seriously, all a bit of fun" with a big wink and nudge . Brilliant escapism .
I loved him in "The Avengers ". I also loved him in the British Sterling auto commercial. He was able to convey all of the automobile s qualities in just one sentence. As the auto is going down the road, the James Bond theme is playing. He slides to a stop and exits the car and says, "You were expecting someone else I presume. ". Loved it.
Line from a Benny Hill song; "They all knew who the best man was........... at the streakers ball!"
Didn't know about any nudism but he visited Australia several times and hired my father's trio to play at his hotel suite while he entertained several ladies there. I was told he was a consummate gentleman all the way... If I recall correctly this was in the late 60s or early 70s.
What a national treasure, style , manners, and perfection.
My father a postman, used to play billiards with him sometimes in Mill Hill, a pub opposite his mail centre.
He was my babysitter when I was 2....he was about 16 .
Wow! They were fun to watch. All those great actors. A period of television originality, permanently lost to time.
Nudist clubs have never been illegal in the UK. The fact that nudism has traditionally been practiced in private clubs and very remote areas has more to do with public attitudes than the law. Speilplatz, the club which you're referring to, has been running openly since 1929. Nudity as a healthy lifestyle was, in fact, quite trendy in the 1920s and 1930s. George Bernard Shaw was a famous proponent. Britain's most well known nudist magazine, 'Health and Efficiency', has been in constant publication since Victorian times. Illegal? Don't think so.
This was the UK and it gets cold there. Subsequently, nudist colonies are clothed in Winter.
RUclips is 95% 🐮💩
Thanks. Truth is what I look for
Is Health and Efficiency still going?
@@rjones6219 Can be found by searching for ‘HE Naturist’
I thought his strange hobby was going to be something like Piano smashing,thanks for the memories.
If Mcnee was determined to practice his lifestyle pre central heating in the UK it shows a level of dedication that perhaps should be admired. Id imagine his difficulties were more from the fact naturism can attract those with much more questionable hobbies than his own more than breaking a law that didn't exist.
The headline had me coming into this thinking that he knitted.
Nudism?I prefer to say naturist,or clothes optional!I have been a naturist for over 43 years.
43 years OK what you after a medal. Weirdo.
Yeah, but nobody knows what naturist means. It sounds like a you restore wildlife ecosystems.
I prefer to use the word pervert.
One of my all time favorite shows and actors as a young boy I was in love with Diana Rigg and I didn't know why till I was older RIP PATRICK and DIANA
Me too. Absolutely loved it. (And she was hot).
No, I had no idea that Patrick Macnee was interested in nudism. I'd never have imagined it, because he always took such care to be impeccably well-dressed and presented in his TV roles.
I thought it woiuld be stranger than that.
I've been a Patrick Macnee fan since I was 4yrs.old. I knew about him being a nudist since I was very young. I never looked down on him for his questionable life. I can understand why he did some of the things he did. When you look at his upbringing you understand why he did the things he did. He was sexually abused as a child as was I so I feel the pain he had in his life. Children that are abused end up making poor decisions in life. I myself had made some also. So I see Macnee with caring eyes. Never judge someone because you don't know what they may have been through. I will always love and admire this man. I also have a niece who is a nudist and I love that kid. She has also been through a lot. So this was nothing new to me since I discovered that long ago. He was a sweet man. Patrick Macnee was the hottest naturist ever. If you want to know more about this read his autobiography. Amazing book. Long Live Patrick Macnee.
*Yes, I have read his biography - not the most easy of lives. I could never understand why he preferred to live in tiny bedsits, while he was married to his first wife and having a family. He pursued his success at all costs to himself and family life.*
"There are those who believe that life here began Out There...far across the universe..." His voice is immortalized in the opening intro to the original "Battlestar Galactica."
Patrick Macnee did have quirks. He hated driving his old Bentley on the Avengers. He rarely drove; usually, a stunt man drove it. When he was forced to drive, he stayed in 2nd gear. He also had drinking problems. Diana Rigg had to talk to him because of his drinking. He was drunk while filming, which was becoming a problem. He finally stopped under pressure from Diana Rigg. She smoked 20 cigarettes a day, but he smoked 80. His aversion to driving continued when he moved to the US. He owned a Cadillac, which he rarely drove, but instead, he lent it out to friends. He had many odd quirks. The Avengers also had odd quirks as well. Some racist like no blacks allowed on show although a couple of episodes had black men in nonspeaking roles. No blood was allowed, and no women were to be killed, although at least one did off-screen. The Avengers seemed to be low-budget. Many props were used repeatedly, like a somewhat flimsy iron narrow spiral staircase that I saw frequently. Also, there are frequent cheap backgrounds, supposedly outdoors, but you could see the actor's shadows on the backgrounds. I still am very fond of the show partially because of its odd quirks.
Very negative, read his book BLIND IN ONE EAR , and Diana Rigg's book, they thought the world of each other and remained friends till the end of their lives. She lived to 82, he lived even longer, his bottle of scotch a day was dropped early enough, which validates how he could live TO AGE 93 . He developed a fondness for prune juice and nudity. His personal car was a Jaguar sedan which he drove faithfully.
They did not want him to drive the old tv series Bentley, fast , it was to valuable and too old to drive fast. Not even THE SAINT , Roger Moore, drove his volvo 1900, fast .
Moore and Macnee , were close friends by the way ...
I think most of your other information is inaccurate as well and does not match up with the studio information that I have in my collection ...
You also seem to be confusing Honor Blackman, with Diana Rigg. It was Blackman who left the Avengers series suddenly. Macnee , developed a romantic interest in her, very dangerous as she really did practice martial arts, and wrote a book on the subject. Blackman went on to make GOLDFINGER , AS A bOND GIRL ...
Macnee, was second lieutenant, British torpedo boats, in WWII. He developed a serious case of Bronchitis , and was not lost with his shipmates in combat around D-Day . Perhaps Macnee, suffered from PTSD , over it ...
The filming schedule for the Avengers series worked like this. Both Macnee and Rigg, would be picked up separately at 5 AM, from their city apartments. At the studio before 6 AM and would work until 6 or 7 PM, then driven home. So depending on how much sleep you needed , 4 to 8 hours , that was your time before the alarm at 4 AM or so it was not much of a life until the weekend . TV series schedules are grueling...
@@bhartley868 I never said DR and Paddy Nee weren't good friends. She later said Paddy and her chauffer were her only friends on the Avengers crew. Paddy did have a drinking problem which was becoming a problem when filming. DR cared enough to help him stop, one would only do that for a friend. He didn't like driving which is a personal preference. Big cities like London are a pain to drive in- so I can understand why. DR liked him so much that she called him Paddy Nee, which sounds like a term of affection.
@@user-vj2wt7jh7j Your source that Diana Rigg , was involved in a Patrick Macnee , drinking too much when filming problem is ?
@@bhartley868 Patrick Macnee admitted it himself! Look at old interviews. Dame Diana does not reveal something like that about a friend.
It turns out, if you actually do some research, that Macnee may have temporarily backed off drinking for DR. Still, he didn't actually stop until the 1980s when he was developing liver disease. DR tried to minimize the drinking on the Avengers. She claimed the champagne was sparkling lemonade when in reality while filming the Avengers they went through several cases of champagne. I really couldn't care less that he was a heavy drinker. Many of my favorite actors were heavy drinkers or drug users. It is common in the profession there aren't many perfect people. Dame Diana also followed in Honor Blackman's footsteps. She left the Avengers and became the best Bond woman of all time. She did come back for a farewell episode for Patrick but was not happy with her time on The Avengers. She was actually somewhat touchy when approached for Avengers autographs but did them anyway. I have her and Paddy's autographs together. She did a couple of odd short films after leaving the Avengers "The Minikillers" for a German company.
One of McNee's roles,was was in,"A Christmas Carol",with Alistair Sim,which was a bit part,but most memorable! He even was a host for one program during the 1970's/1980's! Thank you 😇 😊!
Let’s just hope his bowler hat was strategically positioned
I personally do not consider being naked strange. In the centre of London perhaps, but out in the wilds with like minded people? I and many others find naturism stress relieving and extremely comfortable.
Diana Rigg would not have been shocked at all. I remember reading in the now defunct Weekend magazine that she be naked at home.,As a teenager she stirred my imagination to previously unknown heights. Maybe a little more research is needed on your part
You’re not the only one that was stirred! She had a beauty that didn’t require any makeup
In one episode, Steed pretends to be Scottish and wears a kilt. He is called MacSteed in that.
Hertfordshire is pronounced as Hartfordshire.
Who cares what he did in his PRIVATE life, his acting was exemplary, move on and check your own lifestyle. Judge not….
Spielplatz was founded in 1929 by Charles Macaskie and his wife Dorothy, Spielplatz (German for playground) is the longest-operating naturist resort in the United Kingdom. Consisting of 10 acres of peaceful woodland and lawns, Spielplatz is situated in the quiet village of Bricket Wood, St Albans, Hertfordshire.
But did he keep his hat on?🤔
He was British for heaven's sake. Of course, due to his stiff upper lip, he insisted in not holding it with his hands! 😊😊😊
Can Hendry's David Keel was not a spy, but a doctor and just helped out the then mysterious Steed of MI-5 1/2.
Patrick, once told me a story about when Lorne Greene and he used to act on stage in Toronto, I do not remember the name of the troupe, he told me this around 1988.... Every time they would get a 'pittance' of pay, back then, Lorne would try to cajole Patrick into giving some of Pat's $ to him, to invest in a fledgling company. Patrick would always, politely, decline. Patrick said, to me, that when Lorne went off to Hollywood, for that "silly Bonawnza thing"(trying to get his accent) that Lorne was doing 'quite well'! "You see, Allen, that fledgling company was/is...........................................I.B.M. ! Lovely man, was Patrick Macnee! 🌠🪐
This guy need to get his facts right naturism has never been illegal
It's still illegal, in public.
See how long it takes for you to get arrested if you walk round naked outside your house.
My best mates dad used to play live in his band at Hoockingdon lane nudist camp near where i grew up.... we tried may times to sneek in. 😆 🤣 😂 never could..
He lived down the road from me and I never saw him without his clothes.😅😅😅😅
He moved to sunny California with a wink and a nod.
He was subjected to child abuse by his selfish mum, I liked him loads regardless of everything, still do to this day.
Thanks for the entertainment Patrick. R.I.E.P. 🕯🥀 🕊.
The expression is "live in the lap of luxury" not "enjoy the lap of luxury"
You go, Patrick!
I would have killed to work with Diana RIgg. Great character. RIP Patrick
He played a young Jacob Marley in Alistair sims scrooge.
for your information, steed never used guns, he did not carry one, he had a brolly and a coke hat, nothing more.
and yes, a 'coke' is the original name for the bowler, designed to be light yet hard enough to protect against poacher's cudgels, for the use of game wardens.
poachers had guns, but the gallows was still a thing, so their prefered method when challenged was to bop the warden over the head with something, assault over assault with a deadly weapon or murder being prisonable only at the time.
and yes, it is actually possible to knock someone out with a coke.
As a child Macnee was forced to wear a kilt, hardly crossdressing by modern standards...
See his book as reference ...
I think I've heard of that place in Hertfordshire.
Um...HOnor Blackman? That was Dianna Rigg.
Weird hobby,?NOT as weird as his sick mam,& her sick lover,that was child abuse! Bed partners for our jimmy!
Patrick Macnee just did his thing. It was HIS thing, not society's thing, just his thing. Just sayin
Hmm, not sure nudism is taboo. It was quite popular back in his day. It use to be very popular in the UK. Go to an beach (today) where Germans frequent, and you will see a lot of 'Bratwurst' on display.
love this show, at least after the early non-campy ones -- and shared the series with the daughter
And the 1990s movie adaptation is worth watching!!
Cool man.
I for one welcome our new nudist overlords.
Way to go STEED!
I hate click bait. State the "strange hobby" at the beginning because I am not going to wait until the end.
This is all par for the course for Etonians.
Nothing strange about, neither was it illegal then or now.
Stop calling people by their last names. Call them by their first names.
Hmm. One can imagine Macnee's odd upbringing as inspiration for the Who's classic song, I'm a Boy.
Must be because I used to watch The Avengers as a kid I've always has a soft spot for MacNee. He was faithful to The Avengers even when the 'absurd' scripts became idiotic. I think MacNee could've played a much more realistic spy, I also think he was under valued as an actor.
Naturalist or non textile
Naturalist ,The best is David Attenborough!
So, animal skins are a go?
Admittedly, Macnee’s personal preferences for dress was all nude to me! 😅🤷🏻♂️
we all walk about naked dont we i know i do
what is strange about nudity?
Ahead of his time!
Perhaps he should have practiSed!
Another RUclips vid full of errors.
0:15 Who is that actress?
*_That was Canadian actress Linda Thorson playing the part of Tara King. She was the third and final accomplice to John Steed. She had not long left drama school when she won the part._*
@@alexnelson9512 Thank you.
Did I know? Do I care? … not really but it was the 60s. I lived through the era and it seemed like this was the thing of the future in the Midwest USA. 30 miles from Chicago had a half dozen “nudist camps” in Indiana and, possibly Wisconsin.
No. But I think it's great. 😅
Not so boring after all.
He used to answer the door to unsuspecting dinner party guests, at his LA home, stark bollock naked. 🤣
I thought Jimmy Savile was going to have something to do with it.
Nudism.
Trust Americans to get things totally wrong do they never think?
Old Pat was a bit of a liar; he insisted that he had 'killed more Germans with my bare hands' when in reality he was a cook in the Army.
Actually, he was in the Royal Navy as a navigator on a motor torpedo boat during the war.
@@sandiphillips3907
_According to MacNee's autobiography, of course._
I always took him for a wild onanist!
It's pronounced "Hartford-sheer" not "Hurtford- shyre" FFS - no matter how its spelled. Please learn how to speak British English properly (it's a mark of respect, don't you know!). I suppose at least I should be thankful for small mercies - the narrator at least got the "ford" bit more or less right although I think an actual Englishman would still be inclined to say something closer to "fud" not ford.
Hear hear! I keep wanting to call their third-largest city Chickergo in retaliation.
Actually, it's Har-fd-sha if you're posh. [I ain't].
It's almost as bad as how Americans butcher Worcestershire and Lea & Perrins Worcester sauce. Truly remarkable.
@@TheKnightsShield, i blame Bugs Bunny, he pronounced it wercestershire sauce
And BARKshire not BERKshire
When was this video made why having 2 mums is it dysfunctional up bringing, 2024 these views are old and stupid