Tommy Devon ( John Mills ) runs a jewellery shop in the South of France. One day a man walks in whom he recognises as Boucher ( Walter Gotell ), the French officer who betrayed him to the Gestapo during the war. Tommy goes to see bar owner Manouche Roget ( Lilli Palmer ), with whom he worked as part of a crack Resistance unit known as 'The Zoo Gang' on account of their bizarre code names. Tommy was 'The Elephant', and Manouche 'The Leopard'. They summon from abroad their friends Stephen 'The Fox' Halliday ( Brian Keith ) and Alec 'The Tiger' Marlowe ( Barry Morse ).
After an emotional reunion, they set about trying to trap Boucher. He has been stealing valuable paintings, so they decide to give him a taste of his own medicine by stealing one of his...
'The Zoo Gang' was a short-lived ( six episodes ) adventure show from Lew Grade's I.T.C., based on a book by Paul Gallico, author of 'The Poseidon Adventure', all about ex-Resistance fighters who reform years later to fight crime in the modern world. It was developed for television by the award-winning Reginald Rose ( later to write 'The Wild Geese' and other Boys Own-style movies for producer Euan Lloyd ). Rose gave it more of an international feel ( the book's 'Zoo Gang' were exclusively French ) and making one of the Gang female. The show has been described as a 'geriatric' version of 'Mission: Impossible' and I think that's about right. The manner in which our heroes steal the Rembrandt ( using smoke bombs, prop guns, and blood capsules ) is straight out of that earlier show. With its lush French scenery and Ken Thorne incidental music, 'The Persuaders!' also comes to mind.
Walter Gotell went on to play 'General Gogol', the head of the Russian Secret Service in several James Bond movies. The main cast members appear to be enjoying themselves hugely. Alas the difficulty in keeping them together was the reason why the show was so short-lived.
Paul and Linda McCartney provided the distinctive theme tune. It was later released as the 'B' side to Wings' hit single 'Band On The Run'.
After an emotional reunion, they set about trying to trap Boucher. He has been stealing valuable paintings, so they decide to give him a taste of his own medicine by stealing one of his...
'The Zoo Gang' was a short-lived ( six episodes ) adventure show from Lew Grade's I.T.C., based on a book by Paul Gallico, author of 'The Poseidon Adventure', all about ex-Resistance fighters who reform years later to fight crime in the modern world. It was developed for television by the award-winning Reginald Rose ( later to write 'The Wild Geese' and other Boys Own-style movies for producer Euan Lloyd ). Rose gave it more of an international feel ( the book's 'Zoo Gang' were exclusively French ) and making one of the Gang female. The show has been described as a 'geriatric' version of 'Mission: Impossible' and I think that's about right. The manner in which our heroes steal the Rembrandt ( using smoke bombs, prop guns, and blood capsules ) is straight out of that earlier show. With its lush French scenery and Ken Thorne incidental music, 'The Persuaders!' also comes to mind.
Walter Gotell went on to play 'General Gogol', the head of the Russian Secret Service in several James Bond movies. The main cast members appear to be enjoying themselves hugely. Alas the difficulty in keeping them together was the reason why the show was so short-lived.
Paul and Linda McCartney provided the distinctive theme tune. It was later released as the 'B' side to Wings' hit single 'Band On The Run'.