17 August 2009

R is for the (Constant) Return Of The Saint


The character of Simon Templar (known as The Saint) was originally created in books by Leslie Charteris published from 1928. The character has featured in a series of Hollywood movies, a 1940s radio series starring Vincent Price, a popular 1960s TV series which starred Roger Moore, and a 1970s TV series called 'Return of The Saint' which starrred Ian Ogilvy.

Simon Templar is a thief that is known as The Saint because of his initials (ST), and by leaving a calling card depicting a stick figure with a halo. The character is depicted as 'The Robin Hood of modern crime' as he only takes from the heartless rich, giving it to the deserving poor - after keeping a percentage for his own expenses. A frelance adventurer, he will frequently interfere in a situation to put right a wrong, fighting against injustice.

(Incidentally, the 1997 film entitled 'The Saint' that starred Val Kilmer wasn't based on the Simon Templar character created by Charteris.)

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