The Avengers (1961–1969): Season 7, Episode 21 - Love All - full transcript

The Ministry of Missile Deployment is suffering from a security leak when its head, Sir Rodney Kellogg, falls for plain, middle-aged cleaner, Martha Roberts, and has told her all his secrets. Needless to say, Martha is not what she seems; and the Avengers must discover her true identity and how she has duped Sir Rodney and other misogynist ministers into betrayal.

... finally

may I impress upon you that this

is a matter of the
utmost secrecy.

The report must on no account be
discussed outside these four walls.

Each of you will read
it in turn and then pass

it on to the man whose
name is next on the list.

When you are all fully
acquainted whit its contents

we will meet again to put its
recommendations into effect.

That is all, gentlemen.

Thank you. You
needn't wait any longer.

Very good sir.



- Darling!
- Rodders!

I'm sorry the silly old
meeting took so long.

What did you talk about?

Oooh! Routine stuff,
all very dull I'm afraid.

Tell me about it.

Not now. We've got more
important things to talk about.

I want to hear
about the meeting.

But our little secrets are so
boring my love, they couldn't

possibly interest a
lovely girl like you.

Oh but that's where
you're wrong Rodders,

I'm interested in
everything about you,

especially your secrets.

What's the problem?

That's what I'm
waiting to find out.



You know what a sticky
wicket is, don't you?

A difficult one.

Well we're all
batting on one now.

Why?

There's a security
leak at the ministry.

Which department?

Missile re-deployment.

Hard luck!

That's impossible.

All missile personnel has
a top Q.R. Security rating.

The evidence is overwhelming.

The other side seems
to know our every move

almost before we make it.

Any suspects?

Every man in the department. I've had
them under surveillance for two months.

Have you checked
all their contacts.

With a microscope.
Perfectly legitimate.

Who is in charge there?

Sir Rodney Kellogg.

So that's the situation my love.

The report proposed a
streamlining of the divisional areas,

and an overhaul of the entire
national security system.

Oh I see.

Though why should
bother your pretty little

head with such tedious
stuff is beyond me.

It's fascinating Rodney.

Only, there's just one thing
that I'm not quite clear about.

Mmmm. And what's that my love?

Well what happens
to the Purbeach

base after the re-organisation?

Oh, it will be used as a decoy.

Oh.

Err... the new centre of the
east Anglian complex will be...

That's enough, sir Rodney.

Who... who are you?

Metcalfe... security.

I thought something
like this was going on.

I must ask you both to
accompany me to headquarters.

I'm sorry darling...
It was all my fault.

No, no, my love.

It was I who was foolish.
You mustn't blame yourself.

Oh but I do.

I got you into this mess and
it's up to me to get you out.

Aaaahhhhhhh.......

Mmm.

Three shots... very civil.

You even shoot
people in triplicate.

Yes?

Things are getting
a bit hot I'm afraid.

What do you mean?

They're on to sir Rodney.

Then break contact.
Throw him to the wolves.

That's exactly what I have done.

I'm putting you under house
arrest pending a full enquiry.

See that he's confined to
his office until further notice.

Yes sir.

There's one more
thing sir Rodney.

Has it escaped your notice that there's
been a security leak from this department.

What did he say?

Nothing... he looked at me as
though I was speaking Mongolian.

So you don't think he
knew who Metcalfe was.

I don't think he knew
who anybody was.

He was too busy thinking
about something else.

Any idea what?

No. He spent the entire
interview in a kind of trance.

He kept looking into infinity
with an idiotic smile in his face.

I wonder... would it be possible
for me to see the personal file?

It's... mm.. In
Mr. Tait's office.

I don't see why not sir.
I'll fetch it for you.

Thank you.
Thank you...

D'you think he's been got at?

Intimidation.

Blackmail.

Infatuation.

I must ask you to control your
natural frivolities miss king.

This case could have
very serious consequences.

Sorry.

Anyway, whoever heard
of a respectable gentleman

like sir Rodney, losing
his head over a woman.

I've never heard anything
so ridiculous in my life.

Here we are sir.

Yes thank you...
Thank you very much.

Why would he
want the staff list?

Ah! Martha! Martha!
Martha. Martha. Martha.

Ah, Martha Roberts.

Four Chester
place, London, E.13.

Nothing will keep
us apart now dearest.

So you don't think sir
Rodney killed Metcalfe?

I'm certainly he didn't.

He told me he had
a firearms permit.

And you've checked?

There's nothing
registered in his name.

Then who's he covering up for?

The person who gave him this.

Ah! Fancy handle...

That suggests...

A woman?

Not necessarily. A lot of men
used these in the nineteen century.

Yes. Mother.

What?

Incompetent bunglers!

Sir Rodney's escaped?

Jumped through a window...
Twenty feet from the ground.

Now what on earth
would make a middle aged

civil servant do a
stupid thing like that?

Desperation?

Love?

- Oh!
- Yes?

Err... I was looking for...

Martha, err... Martha Roberts.

Oh auntie?

I'm afraid she's in the
bath at the moment.

Can I give her a message?

Well, not really. It's a...

Well it's personal.

Oh I see.

Well, can I say who called?

Err... just tell her it's a...

Rodders.

- Rodders.
- Yes.

Rodders.

- She'll know who that is, will she?
- Oh yes...

Yes, indeed she will.

Right.

I'm afraid I can't ask you in...

We're in a terrible
mess at the moment

and auntie doesn't receive visitors
until she's had a chance to tidy up.

Oh yes.

Personnel file. Now why should
he want to see the personnel file?

No idea sir.

I didn't see any harm in it so
I went and fetched it for him.

Did you touch something in here?

No sir. We left everything
exactly as it was.

Mmmm.

I wonder what sort of
personnel he was looking for.

Rodders!!

Darling.

Have they let you go?

No, I escaped.

Escaped!

- Oh, you shouldn't have done that.
- I know.

I just had to see you again.

You must go back... immediately.

Out of the question.

But they'll be looking for you.

I mean, you don't want to
bring me into this, don't you?

They'll never find us.

We'll go... we'll dissapear
together, somewhere far away

where can be safe.

All right Rodney,
I'll go with you.

- Darling...
- Take me wherever you please.

Darling you've made me so happy.

You'll never regret
this I promise.

- But you might.
- Never! Come on.

Pull up over there rodders.

But darling we
haven't much time.

Please do as I say...

Darling, I've got something
I want to ask you.

Very well.

Kiss me Rodney.

Of course my love...

- But don't you think we ought...
- No buts.

I want to make sure
that you love me.

You know I do darling.

- And you'll never leave me?
- Never.

Promise?

Promise!

Ah! What a pity.

I'm sorry darling.

There was no other way.

Never mind.

There are plenty
more fish in the sea.

Poor sir Rodney.

This is one murder he won't be
able to accept the responsibility for.

- There's no sign of a weapon?
- None at all.

I wonder what he was
doing around here?

Eloping?

Now we don't want
to go into that again.

I'm telling you, in cases

like these you've got
to consider every...

Cherchez la femme!

What is it?

French perfume...
Very exclusive.

Can you identify it?

Of course. It's
"reckless abandon".

Then it's highly
appropiate. Who makes it?

A company called
Bellchamber brothers.

Aha! And what can
I do for you madam.

Ah, I'm looking for
Mr. Bellchamber.

Oh he's away at the moment
in Provence, crushing lily...

Really, I'm surprised
she doesn't object.

Crushing lilies for lily
of the valley madam.

James always pops over
about this time of year.

Well if he's your brother, why
isn't your name bellchamber?

It is madam.

Well then, how d'you know
I wasn't looking for you?

Nobody ever does, madam,
you see, I've got no personality.

What! None at all?

Not an iota.

My brother says that as a
salesman I'm a total disaster.

- Really?
- Uhmmm.

When he's here he usually shuts
me up in the back of the shop.

Now how can I be of service?

- Well, you could tell me something.
- Certainly.

Is... mm... "Reckless
abandon" a popular brand?

Among the wealthy and
the discerning madam.

It's... mmm.... priced a
little high for most pockets.

So the average number of clients
that would use it... would be... mmm...?

Ten, fifteen,
twenty at the most.

You couldn't give me a list
of their names could you?

It's a little irregular madam.

Oh well you see, I'm
writing this article err...

"Perfumes of the aristocracy".
I didn't think you'd be

adverse to a little publicity?

Mmm, so long as
it's discreet madam.

If you'll wait here a
moment, I'll see what I can do.

Here we are madam.

As far as I can tell from our
records that's the complete list.

I'm very grateful. Thank you.

Perhaps you'd care to express

your gratitude in
a tangible form?

Oh I see. Mmmm yes...

Could you send me a
case of lily of the valley?

Certainly madam.

Crushed by your
brother, of course.

- Get after that girl.
- Why?

She's got a list
with my name on it.

Has she now?

I've got her address.

Freeman, I've got a job for you.

Yes chief.

Oh, what's the address again.

Okay chief.

Yeah, I'll get there right away.

Yeah.

I want you to help me eliminate

some of the names
of this list mother.

Mmmm tell me about lady
Vanessa Cholmondeley davenport.

Oh you can forget her.
I've known her since

she came out in
nineteen thirty eight.

The honourable Malvena
Treadworth smith?

You can leave her out as well.

She's a platoon leader
in the girls guides.

The duchess of ....

Just a second mother ,
there's someone at the door.

The list!

Light.

Oh come along Tara,
I haven't got all day.

Casanova ink.

Hello mother. Sorry
to keep you waiting.

Tell me, what do you
know about Casanova ink?

A woman. You say sir
Rodney was killed by a woman?

It looks like it Mr. Tait.

Did you ever see him with one?

Never! Avoided
them like the plague.

I can't say I blame him really?

- Why?
- Extraordinary creatures.

Never been able to understand
what makes them tick.

And did sir Rodney
feel the same?

But they were anathema to
him, steed, sheer anathema.

Mention women's suffrage
and he'd go purple in the face!

Perhaps he was having
an unhappy love affair?

Impossible! Like myself he
was a confirmed bachelor.

Come in!

And let's face it, when one
gets to be my age, we're

far too set in our ways to
allow a woman to change it.

What is it?

The commission's
report, Mr. Tait.

Ah! Thank you.

If you'll just put a tick against
your name when you've read it

and then pass it on
to the next on the list.

Right.

You were saying... ?

I was saying that what you
suggest is out of the question steed.

If sir Rodney was "carrying on" as they
say, I would certainly have known about it.

I see. Then I'm sorry to
have wasted your time.

Oh not at all. Glad to have
scotched the rumour before it spreads.

"De mortuis nil nisi bonum".

"De mortuis nil ..."
Yes, yes, yes exactly.

"De mortuis ..."

Does de take the dative
or was it the accusative?

Roxby? Guess what?

Just had a fellow in
my office suggesting that

sir Rodney was playing
about with a woman!

Ha! Ha! Ha! That's ridiculous.

Rodney was a
dedicated misogynist.

One time he and
I even considered

forming a club for
genuine woman haters.

Rodney having an
affair...What rubbish!

I got to go now darling.

So soon dearest?

Well I can't hang around
here all day, I have work to do.

When shall I see you again?

When you got
something to tell me.

There are so many
things I want to tell you.

Yeah... not those
sort of things.

Important things.

Things I asked you
to find out for me.

How will I find you
again my angel?

You won't have to,
basil, I'll find you.

Darling!

Casanova ink?
Never heard of them!

Well they've
obviously heard of me.

You seem to hold
an attraction for them.

I wasn't even trying.

They were very eager
to get rid of that list.

Can you remember
any of the names on it?

Only the ones I told you.

Pity. You obviously didn't get
to the one that really mattered.

Tait's nearly finished the book.

He's had long enough now.

I'm moving in.

Oh no!

Come in!

Are you the owner of the car
number three o'eight, hyh?

Yes.

You're parked in a
"no parking zone".

Am I?

Yes.

Have you anything to say?

Yes.

I love you.

Darling... darling
it's all gone wrong.

I can't explain
on the telephone.

I must see you.

No, no, not tonight, now!

I'll be there as soon as I can.

Was it really necessary
to handcuff him?

He handcuffed me!

Muttered something about

"those whom the law hath joined

together let no
man put assunder".

Isn't she lovely?

I want to take her away from
London into the soft warm sun...

To a place where her
delicate fragile beauty can

blossom into the rare
exotic flower she really is.

Well that's nice.

Do you realise this sweet innocent
child lives in constant danger.

I mean, how would you like to
face violent criminals unarmed?

I wouldn't like it at all.

Err... tell me Mr. Tait,
have you always

felt so strongly about the
welfare of our policewomen?

Not always.

Why the sudden interest?

Because someone
came into my life.

Yes...

Number seven-two-nine
policewoman Grimshaw.

Just my luck.

My first case. A
simple parking offence

and I end up chained to

a chronic Casanova!

Have you checked on Tait?

Uhuh! He thinks our
policewomen are wonderful.

Where is he now?

In custody.

This wretched
affair's taking on a

pattern and I don't
like the picture.

No, neither do I.

Still, we do have a slight lead.

"Casanova ink". What's
that got to do with it.

Do you know I haven't
the slightest idea.

I'd better find out.

Well what about me?

The ministry seems to
be ravaged by a disease,

get back there and see if you can
isolate the virus that's causing it.

Sir.

Please...

Please take the
blindfold off my eyes.

I know you're there.

I sense the aura of
evil that surrounds you.

I beg you, untie my hands.

I can hear you. Your breathing.

I can hear your breathing.

Why do you torture me this way.

Do you keep me
in this foul dungeon

just to stand and
silently gloat over me.

Scarlett's voice caught in her
throat and she sobbed helplessly.

Blinded by the velvet
band across her eyes

she was unable to
see the claw-like hand

that reached forward to stroke

the ivory flesh of her shoulder.

Aaahh!...

Oh my goodness you
frightened the life out of me.

I'm most terribly sorry.

I should think so too.

Scare like that could
give a girl grey hair.

I'm sure that whatever
the colour of your hair

you'd still be
equally attractive.

Oooh dear... thank you...
It's not original you know.

Your hair?

Your line... it's not original.

Oh it's been said to you before?

Lord Digby Covington said it to Samantha
pride in "love under southern skies"...

It was just after he'd rescued her
from the gorilla who fancied her.

Of course. I remember now.

"Love under southern skies"...

It was a very touching story.

I read it three times.

Something went wrong that day.

Couldn't get the end
of the story to work.

Instead of boy gets girl, it
kept coming out girl gets gorilla.

That's a tricky situation.

Very.

But you solved it with
your customary skill.

I hope you won't
think me immodest

if I claim to be
your greatest fan.

- Really?
- I've read all of your books.

What, all four hundred
and thirty seven?

On a cold winter's night

I like nothing more
than curling up in

front of the fire with
Rosemary Z. Glade.

That's nice.

It's been my life-long ambition to
meet Rosemary Z. Glade in the...

If you'll excuse the
expression, flesh.

So you can see it's a rather
special moment for me miss glade.

Or may I call you Rosemary?

You may if you like.

My name is Thelma.

You're not Rosemary Z. Glade?

No.

She is.

That... writes all
those moving novels?!

She's a computer...

Quite clever really.

You see every romantic
situation in the world

is built into her
memory circuits.

The keys activate
the situations.

Moonlight kisses.

Wife hears rumours. Girl
meets wife. Wife sues girl.

Wife leaves husband. Husband
leaves wife. Girl returns ring.

Boy gives flowers.
Ah! Fascinating!

Once we've picked out the
situation, the machine does the rest.

It chooses the scenes from
the dialogue bank and bingo...

Another best selling
Rosemary Z. Glade romance.

I'll show you if you like.

Please.

The creative arts have
always fascinated me.

Ha! Ha!

There you are. Instant romance.

Brilliant.

We keep adding new
dialogue to the memory banks.

That's what I was
doing when you came in.

The machine's a genius.

Oh I don't know. It's a
very bad speller sometimes

but Mr. Bromfield's
working on that.

Mr. Bromfield?

Oh he's lovely

and ever so clever with
electronic things and stuff.

He invented Rosemary.

Oooh! Well I'd like to meet him.

Oh he's not here at the moment.

Pity, well I'll call back...

Later.

Aren't they attractive rings.

Just junk jewellery.

We send them off to the
Rosemary Z. Glade fan club.

Have one if you like.

Thank you.

Come to think of it, I saw someone
wearing one of these the other day

and I can't remember
his name. He was tall,

thick-set dark,
with a moustache.

Sounds like freeman.

Works in our printing room.

Is he here?

Not sure. We'll go and
see. I'll take you through.

Thank you.

Athene.

This is Mr. ... err....

Steed.

He'd like a word with freeman.

Not here. A friend of yours?

In a way. He said he'd show
me around if I was passing.

Well not much to see really.

Printing press in there,
despatch department in here.

It's really rather
like a shrine.

The very place
where all that undying

prose is printed for posterity.

Mr. Steed is a fan.

Perhaps you'd like an advance copy of
Rosemary's latest... "Love on the moon".

Would I not.

Not that one!

These are library copies.

I'll get you a de luxe edition.

Here you are...

With the compliments
of Casanova ink.

I'll treasure it.

Oh there is just one other thing,

I've never seen a printing press...

I wonder, might I have a peep?

Why not?

I can't thank you enough.

It's been very good
meeting you madam.

It's been a very informative
visit. Thank you so much.

Fans are always welcome.

I beg your pardon.

Not at all.

I don't think we've met.

Mr. Steed, this
is Mr. Bromfield.

The Mr. Bromfield?

The master mind who
created Rosemary?

Mr. Bromfield's a genius...

I agree.

And ever so passionate!

I'll take your word for it.

You're very kind Mr. Steed,

and now if you'll excuse me

- I'm afraid I am a very busy man.
- Oh but of course, of course, of course.

The world is waiting for Rosemary
Z. Glade's newest masterpiece.

And I don't want to delay it for a
second it's so good of you to see me... ah!

Goodbye

That man who just
came out of here...

What about it?

I've seen him at the ministry.

What?

He came to interview sir Rodney.

I saw him again
in Tait's office.

What did he want...
What did you tell him?

I didn't tell him anything. We
only talked about Rosemary.

Did he go in there?

Only to look at the press.

Oh don't be cross with me Nigel.

We can't take any chances.

He'll have to be dealt with.

But how?

Fryer...

He's in love with you, isn't he?

Naturally.

And a jealous man
will do anything

for the woman he loves.

He'll always stand between us,

you know that George.

He can spoil everything for us.

I just wish there was some way,

some way I could be rid of him...

But it's impossible.

He's always sworn he'll never
let me go as long as he lives.

Who is he?

Steed.

John steed.

I wouldn't want anything
to happen to you darling.

He's a very dangerous man.

Take this.

Just in case.

Yes?

Darling we're in trouble.

That girl I saw at the
perfumiers, she's in Tait's office.

That's not important.
She can't prove anything.

No, no, no, it's not that.

She's reading the book.

I'll attend to this personally.

Go back and lock
the door I don't want

anybody else going
in there before I arrive.

Be as quick as you can.

Pryer come in...

Come on in.

I think I'm on to something.

Forgive me for being so pre-occupied
but this really is rather fascinating.

Help yourself to a
drink. I'll be with you.

If you're wanting to sell that...
I... mmm... I have one already.

Forgive my mentioning it
but you have the safety catch

off... that's a very dangerous
way to handle a gun.

I'll never know any
peace without her.

Are you sure you
don't want a drink?

No don't come near me.

You're going to use that?

I've got to.

I've got to kill you.

Now don't do
anything I might regret.

It's the only way.

She told me about herself,
and about you.

She doesn't love you
Steed, you know that.

Look... who are
you talking about?

She told me that
you'd never let her go.

So it's the only answer.

I've got to do Steed,

she means too much to me.

She must be quite a woman...

whoever she is.

She seems to be getting excited.

Perhaps she knows
what's in store for her.

Relax my dear, love is
just around the corner.

Oh! Who locked
the door, what...!

You were saying my dear?

Nothing...

just that I think
you're wonderful.

Yes.

I love you.

Who doesn't?

Ah. Shall we go my dear?

Anywhere.

Have some more brandy.

Well at last you're
now believing me.

Yes.

It was stupid and thoughtless.

But I tell you honestly, I've
never known an emotion like it.

I lost control.

There was no logic, no reason.

I was just insanely,
unthinkingly jealous.

Who is she?

Her name's Martha Roberts.

But why should she tell me
there was anything between you?

Perhaps she had some
reason for wanting me dead.

But why?

I don't know.

You know the thing
that terrifies me...

that really
terrifies me... is...

that I still love her.

I might have you killed you
tonight... ended both our lives...

but it doesn't change
anything, I still love her.

Where did you meet her?

- At the Ministry.
- How?

She came into my office.

I was reading and
looked up... like magic.

Reading? Reading what?

I don't know.

D'you think it's important?

Was it something... err...

like this?

Why yes... yes that's the one.

All right, now you rest here...

stay here as long as you like.

I have to go.

- Is that the location Fryer gave you?
- Yes.

Are you sure it's accurate?

Well there's no reason to doubt
it... he was as hooked as all the rest.

Yes.

How's it feel to have
every senior Official

at the Ministry
in love with you?

Well it's hardly
my fatal attraction...

they just can't help themselves.

Huh, my little micro-dots
work wonders, don't they?

Constantly projecting their subliminal
message through every page.

And perfect in a thick book that
requires a great deal of concentration.

Why did you choose love
as the emotion to work with?

Because it's been
scientifically proven that

love is the most potent
emotion in the Universe.

Well unlike
jealousy, hate, fear,

Love is the emotion
of co-operation.

The man or woman

in the thrall of love

is as easily manipulated
as soft puppy.

Well it's certainly
proved itself.

Now is there anything else
you want me to find out?

No.

No, this is a perfect picture
of the new Security System.

We've fulfilled our contract.

And when do we get the money?

As soon as we get
this out of the country.

Athene! Thelma!

Now let's start getting
this stuff out of here.

Oh, what about the girl?

Oh yes I'd quite
forgotten about her.

Oh what are we
going to do about her?

Nothing.

- Nothing?
- It won't be necessary.

She'll do anything for me.

You will, my dear, won't you?

Anything.

She'd even die for me.

Come over here child.

Look outside.

You don't like heights.

But if I asked you to...

you'd step out onto
that ledge wouldn't you?

Good.

Well prove it... for me.

Step out there...

and do it!

If you knew there could
never be anything between us,

if I told you your love was
hopeless, what would you do?

I don't know.

I wish you wouldn't
say things like that.

There'd be no point in your
continuing to live would there?

No.

So you'd jump, wouldn't you?

Be the only way.

Get your things.

Tara!

I want you to prove that
you can't live without me.

I want you to jump...

d'you hear me my dear... jump!

All right. All right
I've got you now.

Coming up... come on.

What's the matter?
What are you trying to do?

Trying to end it all...

you should have let me fall.

What are you talking about?

He doesn't love me... there's
no reason for me to live.

Who?

Me! Mr. Steed.

You've hurt him... you
might have killed him.

Hey look, we're supposed
to be on the same side...

I know they say that love
is blind but this is ridiculous.

They'll never get
this into paper-back.

"You will fall in love with
the next person you see."

Huh, this could be more
devastating than the atom bomb.

Darling.

- You poor darling.
- Have they hurt you lover?

Dearest, what have they done to you?

Steed! He must be
in the Printing Room.

Now if one of these
takes a few hours to work...

I wonder what twenty will do?

Go on admit it...

I'm irresistible.

Well I... I must say
steed you seem a very

decent sort of chap to me.

Darling.

Command me.

Ooh, you're lovely.

Gently ladies, gently.

There's enough of me for all of you.

Now let's go and
have a nice chat

with that Security man, eh?

There we are.

You're not taking him anywhere.

What is it?

They're after me.

Help me... cover the
door... quickly cover the door.

- Oh!
- Oh dear me.

How many are there?

Twenty... twenty-five,
maybe more.

Well we can't handle
them all by ourselves.

D'you think we should
call Mother for help?

There's no time. That chair.

Oh!

Quickly.

I think that should do it.

Who are they?

I went to meet my
niece from school.

There were hundreds of
teenage girls coming out.

I'd forgotten I was
wearing the trick buttons.

They are crazy about me.

D'you think you'll be safe here.

I should think
you'll be all right.

It is no joke being a teenage idol.

........ insanity.

Oh no Tara...

no! You've been
through all that.

I mean... look...
now can I explain that...

this is ridiculous...
I'd better take it off.