"An Interview with Frank Maher from the TV series The Prisoner"

A retrospective of
FRANK MAHER,
stunt co-ordinator
on THE PRISONER
part two

Ask Frank Maher which was his favourite episode and he'll pause for a moment as he considers THE SCHIZOID MAN. After all, he's in nearly every scene, he had to learn all the dialogue and movements for BOTH Number Sixes, he cheoreographed and directed a number of pivotal action sequences including a superb fencing scene AND he almost punched Patrick McGoohan for real. However, his final choice will always be the Western episode - LIVING IN HARMONY.

The episode was written by Ian Rakov and David Tomblin, but the idea for doing a Western originally came from Frank. He has a deep interest in the period and in the films and fiction which deal with the Western genre and even outside his chosen profession he's an expert horserider and gun handler.

So, in addition to his usual stunt co-ordination duties he was also technical advisor on this episode, teaching both Alexis Kanner and Patrick McGoohan the art of the fast-draw, and it owes much of it's gritty realism to his input. Let's not forget that he, at last, gets a screen credit - as "Third Gunman". Rather petty considering the extent of his involvement. The photograph shows Frank on Toby, his own horse, as they appear in Harmony. (Click to enlarge)

One for the trivia buffs here! At the climax of the scene where McGoohan fights one of The Judge's heavies, a small boy steps forward and gives him his hat back. This is none other than Frank Maher's son, Gary, who made up the action on the spot (centre of the picture). This spontaneous scene was retained in the finished episode and naturally, like Father like Son, he didn't get a screen credit either!

"Let's bring it all up to date!"

Frank Maher has continued to be involved in stunt co-ordination over the years and many TV series have benefited from his skill, including most of the post-Prisoner ITC series, Blakes Seven, Doctor Who and so on.
He has turned increasingly to second-unit directing in both film and TV productions. His writing skills have also developed and has had several novels published, usually on a "Westerns" theme. Check your local library shelves, they're well worth reading.
Frank also takes time out to attend science-fiction conventions, including the Six of One conventions at Portmeirion, as guest speaker and the photo on the previous page was taken by Rob Beale at the Cult TV convention at the Moathouse Hotel in Telford, UK, in the Autumn of 1998.
We wish Frank continued success in all his endeavours.

No retrospective on Frank Maher would be complete without a detailed view of at least two examples of his work. The next page is devoted to "Danger Man" and a cheoregraphed fight sequence worthy of the big screen.