The Infamous John Friend
Encyclopedia
The Infamous John Friend is the title of both a 1909 novel and the 1959 BBC television miniseries based on it. The novel was written by Martha Roscoe Garnett (1869–1946). It is a work of historical fiction set in 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars. The title character, John Friend, is a spy in the employ of Napoleon. Originally published by G. Duckworth & Co. Ltd., London, it was reprinted in 1975 by Chivers, Bath (ISBN 0-85997-086-8).
in the title role and much of the music used was that of Hector Berlioz
with the opening bars of the 4th movement of Harold in Italy
used at the start of each of the eight half-hour episodes.
Television adaptation
The 1959 miniseries starred William LucasWilliam Lucas (British actor)
William Lucas is a British film and television actor. His first acting role was in the film Portrait of Alison , and later appeared in many Hammer Film Productions such as Shadow of the Cat. He is probably best known for his role in The Adventures of Black Beauty as Dr...
in the title role and much of the music used was that of Hector Berlioz
Hector Berlioz
Hector Berlioz was a French Romantic composer, best known for his compositions Symphonie fantastique and Grande messe des morts . Berlioz made significant contributions to the modern orchestra with his Treatise on Instrumentation. He specified huge orchestral forces for some of his works; as a...
with the opening bars of the 4th movement of Harold in Italy
Harold in Italy
Harold en Italie, Symphonie en quatre parties avec un alto principal , Op. 16, is Hector Berlioz' second symphony, written in 1834.-Creation:...
used at the start of each of the eight half-hour episodes.
Cast
- William LucasWilliam Lucas (British actor)William Lucas is a British film and television actor. His first acting role was in the film Portrait of Alison , and later appeared in many Hammer Film Productions such as Shadow of the Cat. He is probably best known for his role in The Adventures of Black Beauty as Dr...
as John Friend - Barry FosterBarry Foster (actor)Barry Foster was a British actor who appeared in numerous film roles and is known for his leading role as a Dutch detective in the ITV drama series, Van der Valk, which spanned five series over 20 years from 1972....
as William North - David PeelDavid Peel (actor)David Peel was a British film and television actor.He was born in London on June 19, 1920. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and was a minor player in a few films. In 1960, he was cast in the starring role of Baron Meinster in Hammer Film Productions The Brides of Dracula...
as Francois Sauvignac - Margaret TyzackMargaret TyzackMargaret Maud Tyzack, CBE was a British actress.-Early life:Tyzack was born in Essex, England, the daughter of Doris and Thomas Edward Tyzack. She grew up in West Ham...
as Mrs. Friend - Pat Pleasence as Susan Marny
- Margaret Dale as Betty
- David Baron as Lord Combleigh
- Bernard KayBernard KayBernard Kay is a British actor with an extensive theatre, television and film repertoire.Kay began his working life as a reporter on Bolton Evening News, and a stringer for The Manchester Guardian. He was conscripted in 1946 and started acting in the army...
as Jack Rangsley - Manning Wilson as William Pitt