No. 1 of the Secret Service (1977) – Nostalgia Central

Secret Agent Charles Bind (Nicky Henson) – aka “Number 1” – goes up against eccentric millionaire Arthur Loveday (Richard Todd), who is in league with K.R.A.S.H. (Killing, Rape, Arson, Slaughter, and Hit) to kill off leading financiers who are profiting through selling weapons and ammunition to Britain’s enemies.

The effects are cheap, the fight scenes are messy, and the script is poor, but the tongue-in-cheek performances and cheesy music make this worth watching.

Squeaky-voiced blonde Aimi MacDoald is miscast as an MI5 agent, but she’s not wearing a bra and has her blouse drenched with a soda siphon. Small mercies, and all that.

Sue Lloyd plays a horny nun, and Jon Pertwee has a brief cameo as a porn-loving vicar.

A sequel,  Licensed to Love and Kill (1979), had New Avengers star Gareth Hunt in the lead role, replacing Nicky Henson, who pulled out of a three-movie deal to perform at the National Theatre.

A further sequel – Number One Gun (1990) – had Michael Howe in the lead role.

No. 1/Charles Bind
Nicky Henson
Arthur Loveday
Richard Todd
Anna Hudson
Aimi MacDonald
Rockwell
Geoffrey Keen
K.R.A.S.H. Leader
Dudley Sutton
Sister Jane
Sue Lloyd
The Rev. Walter Braithwaite
Jon Pertwee
Eye Patch
Milton Reid
Chrissy Williams
Susan Baker
Paula Williams
Jennifer Baker
Goldilocks
Fiona Curzon
Vampire Girl
Jenny Till
Miss Martin
Katya Wyeth
Stormy Weather
Roberta Gibbs
Simms
Oliver MacGreevy
Manchester Lady
Elizabeth Tyrrell
Clean Shave Kid
Allen Ambridge
Finger Patch
Dave Carter

Director
Lindsay Shonteff

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