ESPIONAGE: THE DRAGON SLAYER (TV)
Summary
One in this anthology series of spy stories.
Somewhere in China in the late 19th Century, police chase a fugitive through the streets of a village. He is caught and executed in front of a doctor, Sun Yat-Sen, for being improperly attired and thus demonstrating disrespect for the ruling Manchu regime. This inspires him to start the First Guangzhou Uprising, resulting in a prolonged bloody conflict between his rebels and the Manchu. The rebellion falters as the government gains the upper hand. Dr. Sun visits Dr. Cantlie, a British doctor on assignment in China and a supporter of the revolution, as he trained Dr. Sun in medicine. He disguises Dr. Sun as a recovering patient as the police infiltrate the hospital and question him as to Dr. Sun’s presence, but he covers for him. The police captain decides to watch as he operates on his “patient,” and Dr. Sun forces himself not to cry aloud when Dr. Cantlie makes an incision in his stomach. The police leave and Dr. Sun accompanies Dr. Cantlie on a ship back to London.
At the Chinese Legation in London, the officer in charge, Colonel Tung, is informed that Dr. Sun is approaching, and they fear he will call upon the secret Chinese societies in London to raise money for weapons for the revolution. He is called upon to do something about it, although he would prefer to simply leave Dr. Sun alone and let him languish in anonymity. Dr. Cantlie brings Dr. Sun to a party, where Dr. Sun hopes to curry favor with Dr. Cantlie’s friend Sir Leslie Parrott, hoping that he can use him to secure funding for the revolution. He tries to convince Sir Parrott that a stable China would be beneficial to him for trade purposes, but Sir Parrott is not interested, as he already trades with the Manchu; Dr. Sun’s impassioned pleas about the deaths of millions of Chinese do not seem to move Sir Parrott, who seems to shift the blame for China’s ills to Dr. Sun before leaving.
He then visits a restaurant on Mitre Street where his uncle Lao Han works. He warns Dr. Sun that his enemies in London have noticed his arrival and that it is not safe for him there. He asks Lao Han to set up a meeting with the secret societies, and he reluctantly agrees. A mysterious man eavesdrops on their conversation before leaving. Dr. Sun is called into a meeting with the secret society leaders, where he criticizes their secret opposition of the Manchu and calls upon them to send money to him and his rebellion instead of to generals and princes. In return for their aid they ask that he assassinate the Chinese ambassador to England, a servant of the Manchu. He refuses, much to the leaders’ displeasure. They release him and he storms out of the meeting room. On the street Dr. Sun is cornered by assailants and knocked unconscious. He awakens to find he is in the custody of Colonel Tung, who claims that he and his men frightened off his assailants, who Dr. Sun believes were sent against him by the secret societies. Colonel Tung claims to represent the Manchu police and is holding him in the Chinese Legation. Colonel Tung intends to have him shipped back to China and executed, as the Legation is technically foreign territory and not subject to British law. Dr. Sun believes Dr. Cantlie will come looking for him; Colonel Tung explains that the police will not search for him there so as to avoid embarrassment from having to admit a breach of their diplomatic immunity policies. Colonel Tung interrogates Dr. Sun about the rebellion and the secret societies, hoping to publish his confessions in China. Dr. Sun refuses to answer, even after Colonel Tung threatens Lao Han. For the time being Colonel Tung leaves him imprisoned in his room.
Colonel Tung instructs the legation staff, Mr. and Mrs. Crutchley, on caring for Dr. Sun, claiming that he is “unwell” and must not leave. Mr. Crutchley is suspicious of the circumstances behind Colonel Tung’s “guest.” Dr. Sun tries to get Mr. Crutchley to fetch Dr. Cantlie for him, but Mr. Crutchley sees through Dr. Sun’s lies. Dr. Sun tries to explain the truth to him and gets him to agree to seek out Dr. Cantlie. Later Colonel Tung confronts Dr. Sun, questioning him about his activities again, and they argue again about Dr. Sun’s motivations and actions, and Colonel Tung reveals that Mr. Crutchley betrayed Dr. Sun and turned over his message to Dr. Cantlie to Colonel Tung. Over time Colonel Tung continues to debate with Dr. Sun, trying to wear him down emotionally. On the night before he is to be returned to China, Dr. Sun contemplates suicide to foil Colonel Tung’s plans, and they debate on the futility of the act. After Colonel Tung leaves Dr. Sun tries to appeal to Mrs. Crutchley’s sensibilities for help, but he only ends up frightening her. The legation guard enters and knocks Dr. Sun unconscious in response.
However, Dr. Sun has an effect on Mrs. Crutchley, and she tries to leave to deliver a letter to Dr. Cantlie. However, Colonel Tung catches her before she can leave, subtly threatening her into giving him the letter. He views it and returns it to her, allowing her to leave. The next day Dr. Sun finds Dr. Cantlie and his party, including a man from the Foreign Office, come to retrieve him from the legation, much to his relief. The situation has led to a media uproar and public opinion is beginning to sway in favor of Dr. Sun. He realizes that Mrs. Crutchley is responsible for his freedom and thanks her, despite the fact that the Crutchleys have been fired over the incident. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: November 13, 1963 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:51:44
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: B:06598
- GENRE: Drama, spy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, spy
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1963-1964
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Herbert Hirschman … Executive Producer
- George Justin … Producer
- William T. Kotcheff … Director
- Albert Ruben … Writer
- Raymond Bowers … Writer
- Halsted Welles … Writer
- Malcolm Arnold … Music by
- Lee Montague … Cast, Sun Yat-Sen
- Patrick Cargill … Cast, Colonel Tung
- Thorley Walters … Cast, Dr. Cantlie
- Sam Kydd … Cast, Crutchley
- Peter Dyneley … Cast, Parrott
- Gwen Cherrill … Cast, Mrs. Crutchley
- Alan Tilvern … Cast, P'eng Pat
- Cyril Shaps … Cast, Lao Han
- Eric Young … Cast, Captain Li
- Donald Chan … Cast, Legation Secretary
- Stephen Jack … Cast, Foreign Office Official
- Michael Chow … Cast, 1st Student
- Kristopher Kum … Cast, 2nd Student
- Milton Reid … Cast, Big Pedestrian