Written by Jay Simms and Fred Eggers, and directed by Barry Shear, 'The Moulin Ruse Affair' is among the madder 'G.F.U.' episodes, and is all the better for being so. 'Jan Streich' ( Burt Mustin ) is an elderly man possessed of incredible strength who literally breaks into U.N.C.L.E. H.Q. and tries to abduct Mr.Waverly. April gasses him, but he later dies. Scientist 'Dr.Vladmir Toulouse' ( Shelley Berman ) has developed 'Vitamin Q' which gives a person super-strength, and threatens to unleash an army of super humans unless U.N.C.L.E. pays up five million dollars. Mark goes to see Toulouse's drunken friend 'Nadia Marcolescu' ( Fifties bombshell and 'Lily Munster' herself - Yvonne De Carlo ) who keeps a live tiger as a pet. When Mark's cover is blown, Toulouse forces him to take a Vitamin Q tablet...
Shelley Berman had the misfortune to appear in the horrendous 'M.F.U.' episode 'The Super-Colossal Affair', but this is a far better vehicle for him, promoting him to the role of chief villain. His appearance is modelled on the famous French painter Toulouse Latrec; watching him walk everywhere on his knees, holding a cane, and wearing a top hat, one is instantly reminded of Peter Sellers in 'Revenge Of The Pink Panther' ( 1978 ). De Carlo is stunningly beautiful, and good value as 'Nadia', who turns out to be a secret THRUSH agent keen to have Vitamin Q for herself. The climax takes place on the island of Moulin in the Caribbean, where Toulouse runs a care home for old people ( one of this episode's undisputed highlights is the sight of 'Grandma Walton' herself - actress Ellen Corby - displaying her superhuman skills by fighting Toulouse's elite guards. If only she had done the same thing to John Boy and co ). Which brings me to the episode's other outstanding attribute - the girls who make up the Amazon guards are wearing skin-tight costumes with ( one assumes ) very little beneath. One of their number - the oddly-named 'Rabbit' - is played by the late Tura Satana, whose exotic looks landed her roles in many a secret agent movie of the period. The stunning Thordis Brandt is on view ( and isn't there a lot of her to see? ) as 'Miss Ibsen'. April and Mark are captured by Toulouse and their heads are inserted through holes in a floor, and an army of explosive robots - all of which resemble Toulouse - marches their way. A thrilling climax to an enjoyable, absurd episode.
Shelley Berman had the misfortune to appear in the horrendous 'M.F.U.' episode 'The Super-Colossal Affair', but this is a far better vehicle for him, promoting him to the role of chief villain. His appearance is modelled on the famous French painter Toulouse Latrec; watching him walk everywhere on his knees, holding a cane, and wearing a top hat, one is instantly reminded of Peter Sellers in 'Revenge Of The Pink Panther' ( 1978 ). De Carlo is stunningly beautiful, and good value as 'Nadia', who turns out to be a secret THRUSH agent keen to have Vitamin Q for herself. The climax takes place on the island of Moulin in the Caribbean, where Toulouse runs a care home for old people ( one of this episode's undisputed highlights is the sight of 'Grandma Walton' herself - actress Ellen Corby - displaying her superhuman skills by fighting Toulouse's elite guards. If only she had done the same thing to John Boy and co ). Which brings me to the episode's other outstanding attribute - the girls who make up the Amazon guards are wearing skin-tight costumes with ( one assumes ) very little beneath. One of their number - the oddly-named 'Rabbit' - is played by the late Tura Satana, whose exotic looks landed her roles in many a secret agent movie of the period. The stunning Thordis Brandt is on view ( and isn't there a lot of her to see? ) as 'Miss Ibsen'. April and Mark are captured by Toulouse and their heads are inserted through holes in a floor, and an army of explosive robots - all of which resemble Toulouse - marches their way. A thrilling climax to an enjoyable, absurd episode.
