The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. (TV Series) The Carpathian Caper Affair (1967) User Reviews

Carpathian? Catskills!

[shanghaiexpress · 2/10 · 24 January 2021]

Doesn't it seem obvious that the script must have been originally set in the Catskills and then at last minute they made it more "international" with name change to Carpathian? The honeymooners, the chicken soup trap, the parlour type games they are playing at resort a la Dirty Dancing, all the stereotypically jewish humour type gags? Why would New Yorkers like them be having their wedding in the Carpathians?? Please tell me I'm not the only one thinking this

Poor Mr. Waverly

[wilvram · 4/10 · 18 June 2019]

This episode is notable for being the only one not to be screened back in the day by the BBC. I can only imagine that this was for the brief appearance of footage of H.M. The Queen, and the suggestion that she, along with other world leaders, has been cloned by Thrush! How times have changed since the deferential days of half a century ago. In fact the only person not to leave with their dignity intact is Mr Waverly and by extension Leo G. Carroll. Not only do we catch him dossing down at night in the UNCLE office and swapping banter with a comedy charlady, but then becoming an ingredient in a soup (don't ask) prepared by chief villain Ann Sothern, complete with vegetables on his head. Then there's guest Stan Freberg and Stefanie Powers only rescued from a giant toaster by a random bouncing ball. It's all to inane for words and it's anyone's guess what Freberg thought of the script. Along with that excellent screen baddie Jack Cassidy he's wasted. Powers has a bottle smashed on her head and then blown up and emerges both times with not a hair out of place. It is somehow watchable, and that must largely be due to the charm that Powers and Noel Harrison bring. Just a shame that the series' format and writing tended to be so slapdash.

Uncle agents find themselves in the soup of things

[rudy-30 · 10/10 · 9 March 2009]

This episode is exceptionally well-written and acted. Mother Magda (Ann Sothern) is a famous soup maker , ala Chef Boyardee. She is also in cahoots with THRUSH. Jack Cassidy is excellent as the THRUSH agent, and also George Furth, an under appreciated comedic actor is reliable as ever as Magda's nephew. Adding to the fun are newlyweds Stan Freberg and Joyce Jameson, and also Phil Arnold as a vacationing husband. I might point out a purists' comment on the final trap. ***SPOILER ALERT*** Joyce, Mark Slate, and Mr. Waverly are about to be boiled in Mother Magda's borscht. Traditionally, borscht is red, made of beets. There is a version of spinach borscht, but it is usually called Schav. I know I'm nit-picking. The mixture of comedy and suspense from this fine cast shows how great satire can be when it's performed by true masters of the art. The fun begins when Joyce Jameson thinks that Mark Slate is a detective hired by her father to stop the wedding. Mark has tried to retrieve a piece of microfilm or tape with secret information on it. Joyce thinks it is secret photos, and refuses to give it up. She is kidnapped by Mother Magda along with Mark. Stan and April reluctantly team up to save them; Stan is clueless about the affair, but will do anything to save his bride. Jack Cassidy is smooth as ever, portraying the villain. Mr. Waverly makes his ubiquitous appearance at the end for some comedic effect.